Project Director Project Controls

Description

We are recruiting a Project Director – Project Controls for locations across the UK, including Manchester, Birmingham and London. The role leads the management and delivery of project and programme controls, ensuring accurate budget and forecast reporting to support business and project delivery.

The position sits within AECOM’s Integrated Programme Controls team, applying PMO best practices on large‑scale infrastructure programmes. The incumbent will collaborate with senior controls leaders, oversee governance, and drive risk‑aware decision making.

• Manage early supply‑chain engagement to define contractor requirements supporting time, cost and quality targets.
• Collaborate with the Head of Integrated Programme Controls to refine operating policies and monitor risk‑policy adherence.
• Provide specialist advice and technical knowledge to address project delays, issues and challenges.
• Lead correlation of schedule, cost, quality and risk data to accelerate project delivery.
• Coordinate the period reporting cycle and align it with the executive reporting lifecycle.
• Own the quality and robustness of business reporting and deliver regular progress updates to senior stakeholders.
• Sustain governance processes and review policies to align with strategic business objectives.
• Lead a team by setting objectives, reviewing performance, conducting appraisals and offering continuous feedback.
• Conduct self‑assessment of procedural compliance and share lessons learned within the Project Controls community.
• Support meeting preparation and deliver market and strategy insights to the client’s senior commercial teams.

Requirements

• Experience in Project Management or Project Controls on large, complex infrastructure or construction projects, preferably with a professional PM qualification.
• Knowledge of major infrastructure projects under NEC contracts and familiarity with client consultation processes.
• Ability to manage stakeholders and information flow in a matrix environment while providing specialist advice.
• Proven track record of leading and motivating teams in large‑scale project settings.
• Strong attention to detail with capability to solve complex problems and mitigate risks.
• Understanding of public‑sector policies, processes, procedures and related political impacts.
• Bachelor’s degree or relevant project controls/management qualification (e.g., APMG, Prince2, RICS, APM, MICE, CIOB).
• Proven experience in Cost Control or Planning & Scheduling within multi‑discipline projects.
• Implementation experience of Earned Value Management systems in line with national standards.
• Ability to apply critical project management concepts such as EVM, risk analysis and configuration management.
• Proficiency in Primavera P6, MS Project or similar planning tools and PowerBI.
• Flexibility to travel and work across different sectors.
• Strong people‑management and task facilitation skills.
• Extensive technical expertise in project controls, engineering and construction management.

Benefits

AECOM offers hybrid working, a culture of equity, diversity and inclusion, and comprehensive compensation, benefits and well‑being programs. As an equal‑opportunity and Disability Confident employer, we support candidates of all backgrounds and provide reasonable adjustments throughout the recruitment process.

Training + Development

Interview process

Visa Sponsorship

Security clearance