Head of Cost Management

Your new role

National Highways has the opportunity for two Head of Cost Management to join the Major Projects (MP) directorate. One of the positions will sit within the Complex Infrastructure Programme (CIP) and the other will sit within the Regional Investment Programme(RIP).

As the Head of Cost Management, you will drive excellence in Cost Management, enabling the timely, efficient, safe and customer focused delivery of the project(s), through development and delivery of cost management governance framework. You will work witha wide range of internal and external stakeholders in a matrix management environment providing cost management guidance and leading a large team to enhance the inhouse capability.

Both roles require a willingness to travel (expenses to be supported by National Highways) across the respective regions, however, the successful Head of Cost Management for CIP will be contractually based in our Bedford office and the successful Head ofCost Management for RIP will be contractually based in either our Birmingham, Manchester, or Leeds office (based on home location).

What you’ll be leading on
- Develop and maintain strong, collaborative, working relationships with Programme Leadership Team, the Programme Management Office (PMO), Heads of Profession, Business Partners, and delivery teams; to ensure a strong understanding of business needs and embedmentof a high-quality cost management system at both Project and Programme level.
- Lead and motivate PMO and project controls colleagues and supply chain partners, to deliver standardised and consistent governance of cost management activities across the Programme that align to corporate policies for cost management, cost forecastingand Earned Value Management (EVM).
- Develop the cost management capability and behavioural maturity of colleagues across the programme through sharing high quality technical advice, guidance, and industry best practice.
- Work with the Head of Profession (Cost Management) to identify and propose appropriate management interventions and improvement strategies at project and programme levels to resolve complex issues and continuously improve tools, processes and systems relatedto cost management.
- Support development of processes and procedures that ensure and assure all internal and external project costs are provided to a consistently high quality with an appropriate Cost Breakdown, such that data can be interrogated consistently across the programmeand meet Contractual Requirements (NEC3/4).
- Reporting to the PMO Director, own cost management baselines and change control via regular reporting and chairing reviews, communicating the impact at both project and programme level.
- Lead on analysis and verification of regional and programme level cost performance and ensure the data accurately reflects the current performance for onwards reporting. Oversight of the reporting cycle to ensure Baseline Management, Earned Value Managementand Cost Forecasting principles are followed. Own the reporting for CPI and SPI for all the projects in the programme portfolio.

To be successful you’ll need
- Extensive operational experience of working in a complex, high value, capital programme environment, providing and driving strategic improvement plans and consistency of approach in cost management.
- Experienced in driving change programmes specific to embedding cost management processes, tools, systems, and people capability.
- Experience of collaboratively leading and managing teams at a senior level in project and programme environment.
- Experience in the core project controls functions, including baseline maintenance, schedule management, cost performance, change management, risk management, performance reporting and document control.
- Experience of capturing and analysing cost data at a project, programme, and portfolio level.
- Experience of managing major infrastructure cost management, monitoring all links/interdependencies, and disseminating trends and management reporting.

Our benefits package
- Our total reward package includes basic salary, the potential for a performance related bonus
- Contributory pension scheme with employer contribution of up to 10%
- Annual Leave starting at 26 days (plus Bank Holidays) rising by 1 day each year up to 31 days (plus Bank Holidays)
- Flexible hours and blended working between base location/home
- Life assurance of 4 times annual salary
- Health and wellbeing support, including an Employee Assistance Programme, available 24/7 365 days and network of mental health first aiders. Plus access to a wellbeing app to enhance your self-care 24/7, Occupational health service and flu vaccines
- A cycle to work scheme for the purchase of a bicycle and equipment for healthy, low carbon travel
- Significant investment in your career development, through learning and development, talent management, coaching, mentoring and on job experience

And we are:

- Family friendly with enhanced maternity leave and pay, paternity leave (15 days), shared parental leave, adoption leave. Plus access to financial support for holiday play schemes and paid special leave (up to 5 days pa), eg for caring responsibilities
- Money friendly with access to a discounts platform including over 3000 discounts for supermarkets, eating out, leisure, holidays. Alongside a financial wellbeing programme
- Community friendly - offering paid leave to volunteer, 3 days basic/year plus an extra 3 days to support the national Covid effort
- Right to work check
- 3 year employment history references
- DBS criminal record check
- Social media and adverse journalism check
- Driving licence check (if applicable)
- Fit to work questionnaire (for all), followed by a medical check (if applicable)