Project Controls Specialist

Description

We’re looking for a Project Controls Specialist to join our UK Projects team. In this pivotal role, you’ll work closely with senior leaders to drive effective project planning and pipeline management practices across a dynamic portfolio of projects.

You will provide dedicated project planning and control support to Project Directors, focussing on establishing and maintaining robust project schedules, monitoring project progress, and contributing to accurate major project pipeline tracking. Working closely with the Project Directors, you'll develop and implement consistent project control processes across their project portfolio. You'll also proactively identify project timeline and resource risks and opportunities, informing decision-making and supporting successful project delivery within agreed parameters.

• Plan Validation: Collaborate with Job Leaders to validate the accuracy of project plans, ensuring alignment with project objectives and resource allocation.
• Financial Performance Monitoring: Review month-end accounts to ensure disciplines are performing within expected profit margins, escalating any concerns.
• Contract Administration: Populate and maintain contract management information, including invoice schedules, contingencies, and fee allocation.
• Project Reviews: Organise and participate in monthly project reviews, providing insights on project performance and potential risks.
• Change Control: Support the completion of internal change authorisation forms.
• Project Record Management: Create and maintain accurate project records, including additional jobs as required
• Financial Management: Conduct financial reviews and scenario planning to support informed decision-making.
• Training Support: Provide training on project management systems and best practices.
• Project Pipeline Maintenance: Regularly review and maintain the accuracy of the project pipeline, ensuring it reflects current project status and anticipated future projects.
• Invoice Management: Handle invoice reconciliations, ensuring accurate and timely payment processing.
• Reporting and Analysis: Produce and distribute regular reports, including Time and Labor System and Project Value Analysis reports.
• Project Closure: Manage contingency release, advise on profit share, and ensure project closure activities are completed effectively.
• Project and Project Director Support: Provide dedicated project control support to a designated business unit, with the flexibility to support other areas as required.
• Draft Plan Development: Populate draft project plans during the bid stage, incorporating input from relevant disciplines and maintaining these plans as dates evolve.
• Workstage Structuring: Create comprehensive workstage structures for all disciplines involved in projects, facilitating accurate task allocation and progress tracking.
• Data Integrity: Ensure bid outcomes and project details are accurately recorded in the relevant systems, maintaining data integrity across the project portfolio.
• Estimate to Complete Review: Review Estimates to Complete with Job Leaders, identifying potential cost overruns or underruns.
• Best Practice Advocacy: Support project leadership in implementing best practices for project finance and lifecycle management.
• Time Management Support: Facilitate time allocation adjustments between project phases, liaising with relevant departments on behalf of Project Directors.

Requirements

• Problem-Solving: Critical thinking and analytical ability to resolve complex project issues creatively.
• Project Control: Skilled in earned value, cost, risk, and change management.
• Project Planning: Proven experience in scope definition, milestones, resource allocation; knowledge of CPM, Agile preferred.
• Degree in Business, Finance, Engineering, Project Management, or equivalent professional experience.
• Communication: Excellent written, verbal, and interpersonal skills; able to engage stakeholders at all levels.
• Data Analysis: Strong numeracy and ability to analyse large datasets, presenting insights clearly.
• Organisation: Strong time management, prioritisation, and ability to work independently.
• IT Skills: Proficient in ERP tools (e.g., VantagePoint), MS Project, Primavera P6, PowerBI, and MS Office Suite.

Benefits

Buro Happold values an individual's flexible approaches to working patterns as an important part of how you work and achieve balance. We welcome applications from those who are seeking flexibility in their careers.

• Generous company pension scheme.
• Enhanced parenthood leave policies.
• A strong commitment to your continuous development. Whatever stage in your career, we have a learning and development programme that will enable and empower you.
• Flexible benefits including cycle scheme, dental insurance, optical cover, travel insurance, season ticket loans, and corporate discounts.
• A commitment to your wellbeing through a comprehensive employee assistance programme and wellbeing activities. A supportive and inclusive environment that will welcome you through social and outreach activities from the Young Employees Forum to mentoring.
• Entitlement to two memberships to professional bodies or subscriptions
• Holiday entitlement of 25 days per annum (exclusive of bank holidays) and flexible holiday arrangements.
• Attractive salary and benefits package including, private medical insurance, life assurance and income protection.
• Hybrid working arrangements.
• 3pm finish on the last Friday of the month.

Training + Development

Interview process

Visa Sponsorship

Security clearance