About this role
On behalf of AWE , we are looking for a Cost Controller (Inside IR35) for an 18 month hybrid contract based in Aldermaston .
What if you could work on something that you can’t test… but cannot afford to fail? Something that could have spent years on a submarine, is launched into outer space (where the temperature is below -250c), comes hurtling through the atmosphere, being heated up and shaken and then must work? Some challenge . That’s exactly what the team of over 6,500 people at AWE do every day delivering important work, in support of the most important mission – keeping the nation safe.
AWE plays a crucial role in national nuclear security. Their role in nuclear deterrence and their specialist technical assistance to nuclear threat reduction is vital in the defence against the most serious threats faced by the UK. Working to support the defence of our country, AWE has a clear mission to keep everyone, the environment, their products and information, sites, and everything around them, safe and secure.
As a Cost Controller , your main responsibilities will be to:
- Support detailed SPI, CPI variance analysis and root cause analysis , including input to the narrative, recommendations & recovery planning in accordance with monthly reporting timescales.
- Support the creation of the Project Cost Breakdown Structure (CBS) and assist the preparation of cost studies utilising historical data. Providing data for benchmarking information to meet specific needs.
- Support trended data to assist the Project Manager based on performance to date and seek emerging trends to aid recommendations.
- Review manpower productivity and time bookings to projects including resource usage vs. planned, identify resource constraints, etc .
- Provide input to cost reports, including trend analysis and early warnings as necessary.
- Complying with appropriate procedures, processes and systems to ensure the quality and consistency of data.
PLEASE NOTE: SC Clearance is an essential requirement for this role, as a minimum you must be willing & eligible to undergo checks. Please note, due to the exceptional requirements of this position (short-term nature of this role and speed at which we require a postholder in situ) preference may be given to candidates who meet all of the essential criteria and hold active security clearance.
Essential:
- Demonstrable experience in project cost control and financial performance management , including cost forecasting, budgeting, and monthly cost reporting within complex project environments.
- Excellent knowledge of Earned Value Management (EVM), including the analysis of Schedule Performance Index (SPI) and Cost Performance Index (CPI), variance analysis , and root cause identification.
- Experience developing and maintaining Cost Breakdown Structures (CBS) and supporting cost studies, benchmarking activities, and the use of historical project data to improve forecasting accuracy.
- Ability to analyse project performance trends and provide recommendations, identifying emerging risks, opportunities, and recovery actions to support successful project delivery.
- Experience monitoring resource utilisation and manpower productivity, including analysis of time bookings, planned versus actual resource usage, and identification of resource constraints.
- Proven capability in producing accurate project controls and cost reports, maintaining high-quality data standards and ensuring compliance with established project controls processes, procedures, and reporting requirements.
Please be aware that this role can only be worked within the UK and not Overseas.
AWE’s ambition is to create workplaces that recognise and celebrate differences, encourage diverse contributions and where people feel able to be themselves at work. They strive to create a genuine culture of openness and inclusion and encourage diverse applicants .
Disability Confident
As a Disability Confident employer, AWE encourage applications from disabled and neurodivergent candidates . Applications from candidates who identify as having a disability and meet the essential criteria for the role will be prioritised for review. Where application volumes are high, additional role-specific and desirable criteria may be applied as part of the shortlisting process which may include holding active security clearance.
Armed Forces Covenant
As a signatory of the Armed Forces Covenant, AWE welcome applications from veterans, service leavers, reservists and military spouses or partners. Applications from eligible candidates who meet the essential criteria for the role will be prioritised for review. Where application volumes are high, additional role-specific and desirable criteria may be applied as part of the shortlisting process which may include holding active security clearance.
In applying for this role, you acknowledge the following "this role falls in scope of the Off Payroll Working in the Public Sector legislation. Any rates of payment quoted will reflect the gross rate per day for the assignment and will be subject to appropriate taxes and statutory costs. As such the payment to the intermediary and your income resulting from this contract will be different".