Senior Cost Controller – Major Utilities Projects (Outside IR35)
Location: Maidstone area (flexible hybrid)
Sector: Utilities / Infrastructure
Contract: Outside IR35 – 12 months
Rate: Competitive daily rate
Overview
An established utilities organisation is seeking an experienced Senior Cost Controller to support a large capital investment programme. This is a key contract role for an individual who can take ownership of project cost reporting, forecasting, and financial governance across multiple engineering and infrastructure schemes.
The position offers the chance to play a central part in ensuring financial accuracy, improving reporting systems, and supporting project teams in delivering critical works efficiently and to budget.
The Role
Working as part of a multidisciplinary project delivery team, the Senior Cost Controller will be responsible for maintaining clear, accurate, and insightful financial information across live projects. The role combines hands-on analysis with stakeholder engagement and system improvement.
Key responsibilities include:
* Preparing accurate monthly cost reports and supporting Value of Work Done assessments.
* Reviewing payment applications, validating cost data, and investigating discrepancies.
* Producing and maintaining cashflow forecasts, ensuring alignment with financial reporting cycles.
* Conducting audits on contractor commercial positions and supply chain ledgers.
* Providing analysis of overheads and soft costs, with recommendations for efficiency improvements.
* Leading review sessions with project and finance stakeholders to ensure robust financial governance.
* Supporting the enhancement of reporting systems and cost control processes.
* Visiting project sites as required to review cost data and ensure compliance with best practice.
About You
You’ll be an experienced cost professional, confident managing complex project financials and working collaboratively with technical and commercial teams.
Requirements:
* Proven experience in cost control or cost engineering within utilities, construction, or infrastructure.
* Strong technical understanding of project cost management and reporting.
* Excellent analytical and Excel skills, with a high level of attention to detail.
* Ability to interpret and communicate financial information clearly to project and finance teams.
* Experience producing monthly financial reports, forecasts, and variance analyses.
* Self-sufficient, delivery-focused, and comfortable operating within a dynamic project environment.
Desirable:
* Background in the water or regulated utilities sector.
* Experience improving or implementing cost reporting systems or templates.
* Accountancy qualification or equivalent professional experience.
Why Apply?
This contract offers the opportunity to apply your commercial and analytical expertise in a high-impact role, supporting essential infrastructure investment across the South East. You’ll have the autonomy to shape reporting practices, influence decision-making, and deliver meaningful financial insight — all within an outside IR35 framework that rewards expertise and independence.