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Role Summary:
Join our team as the Head of Cost to drive success in delivering Core Services within the PMO team. Your role will be pivotal in supporting the overall PMO service offering and providing essential support to our wholesale business. As the Head of Cost, you will oversee key areas such as processes, organization, people, information, and technology that are fundamental to cost, estimating, and budgeting processes.
In this role, you will play a crucial part in shaping the Cost strategy and implementing best practice methodologies and innovations. Your responsibilities will also include managing Cost Management systems to ensure efficiency and excellence in our operations. If you're ready to make a significant impact and lead strategic initiatives in cost management, this role is tailor-made for you.
Main responsibilities:
- As the Head of Profession and Subject Matter Expert lead and inspire the Cost Management team to maintain and develop the organisational culture, values and the company reputation to ensure delivery of the UU vision. Manage the team, define their roles and responsibilities, support them performing; ensure the team delivers the works in a safe way promoting the right behaviours and create the right environment for the team members to excel in what they do.
- Report to senior leadership team on key matters relating to Cost Management.
- Set/oversee the Cost Management strategy, manage the interfaces between the Cost function and the supporting Project controls and estimating functions as well as key stakeholders.
- Accountable for ensuring robust project cost estimates are supporting the programme Performance Management Baseline (PMB), as well as change, compensation events and early warnings.
- Accountable for ensuring the projects and programmes cost breakdown structure (CBS) is robust and aligned with the estimate and Work Breakdown Structure (WBS) and Organisational Breakdown Structure (OBS).
- Define and implement processes and systems to control the cost baselines and budgets across a variety of commercial models and lifecycles. With particular focus on the establishment, implementation and execution of industry best practise. Ensure a consistent approach to cost, forecasting and estimating data and inputs is maintained across the programme.
- Engage with the project teams and the supply chain to ensure the quality of the cost data and inputs. Support and coach the supply chain on UU process and requirements for cost submissions.
- Define and monitor KPI’s for performance against cost baselines and budgets.
- Stay up-to-date with Cost Management best practice, latest software and tools.
- Identify and develop cost management training for team members.
- Ensure that an accurate status assessment of the cost performance against baselines and budgets is always provided to the Head of PMO and the Senior Leadership Team (SLT).
- Carry out independent assurance to projects to confirm appropriate application of processes (first line of Defence) and provide senior stakeholders feedback and support to apply corrective actions to ensure confidence in delivery and outturn, as part of a gated lifecycle and governance oversight.
- Engage with cross functional teams (inclusive of senior management) to ensure that continuous improvement activity is undertaken.
- Accountable for the resource planning and recruitment and utilisation of the PMO cost management team
- Support the shaping, definition and delivery of the PMO continuous improvement agenda, to drive up performance across the overall Cost and Estimating Management function. Includes establishing Communities of Practise and benchmarking against industry best practice and defining strategies/plans to “raise the bar”
Skills, qualifications and experience:
- Educated to degree level or equivalent in a relevant discipline. Or equivalent relevant experience.
- Extensive experience in Programme Controls / Cost Management / Estimating.
- Experience of large complex programmes total capex of circa £5bn+ or individual Major projects of £500m plus
- Very strong understanding of cost management and estimating techniques based on Industry best practice.
- APM/ACostE/RICS or equivalent PM/ Project controls qualification
- Experience in delivery of Major Infrastructure/build projects and programmes
About us:
United Utilities’ (UU) mission is to deliver high-quality water for a more prosperous, greener and healthier North West of England. We are committed to providing our services in a way that respects the environment, supports the economy, and benefits society. We are proud to be ranked #4 in The Inclusive Top 50 UK Employers List. We promote a workplace culture where our people can grow, excel, and truly be themselves.
We uphold our ethics, values, and business model to fulfil our mission. By setting clear goals and objectives, we create sustainable, long-term value for our colleagues, customers, and communities. Whether you collaborate with a team that shares your vision or join a network of peers with similar interests, you will find a welcoming and supportive organisation.
We’ve got a lot to offer. You’ll be part of a thriving company and will enjoy a range of core benefits that reflect your value and value contribution. These include
- A generous annual leave package of 26 days, which increases to 30 days after four years of service, in addition to 8 bank holidays
- A competitive pension scheme with up to 14% employer contribution, 21% combined, and life cover
- A 20% performance-related bonus scheme, as well as recognition awards for outstanding achievements
- A £5,000 car allowance to support your travel needs
- A comprehensive healthcare plan through our company-funded scheme
- Flexible and hybrid working
More information can be found below:
- UU benefits: https://www.unitedutilities.com/corporate/careers/why-work-for-us/benefits-of-working-for-us/
- Pension information: https://www.unitedutilities.com/corporate/careers/pensions/
- UU careers: https://www.unitedutilities.com/corporate/careers/
- Data privacy: https://www.unitedutilities.com/privacy/
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