Assistant Cost Specialist

Assistant Cost Specialist, Contract, Reading
At this level a Cost Engineer (PMO Cost Specialist (Intermediate)) is responsible for applying requirements management, budgeting & cost control, financial management, change management and benefits management under supervision primarily in non-complex situations.

Key Responsibilities
Top 5 Major Tasks and Activities:
• Develop/implement and maintain the Project Baseline Budgets including Control Account Plans/Responsibility Assignment Matrix and WBS Dictionary (SOW).
• Responsible for the monitor, control and validation of project's accruals and commitments and the control of resource and financial forecast data.
• Management and control of cost risk budget and drawdown and input into the risk management process.
• Management and control of financial change management on the project and assurance of alignment with the business/contractual requirements.
• Provision of internal and external financial performance & cost reports including earned value and variation analysis.

Additional Key Accountabilities:
• Alignment of cost management with schedule and contract.
• Maintain cost elements within ERP
• Key point of contact with the client and the project accountant for all financial budget and change control
• Develop appropriate internal CBS and Control Accounts that are aligned to scope, contract and WBS.
• Provide cost management support to bid and project initiation phases to ensure project are correctly set up and initiated.
• Ensure cost management is aligned to the estimates and estimating process.
• Responsible for managing and controlling project cost risk contingency and its drawdown.
• Management of the project cost change register and associated impact assessments
• Production and submission/management of payment claims to client

Experience/Qualifications/Skills
Company/Industry Knowledge:
• Extensive recent and relevant experience in a similar environment / business sector
• Extensive experience applying budgeting & cost control in a complex environment
• Awareness of various contracting methodologies (e.g. FIDIC/NEC3-4/JCT etc…) including resolution of claims and disputes
• Advanced knowledge of cost management techniques
• Advanced knowledge of Earned Value Management

Qualifications:
• HNC level qualification (or equivalent) in cost engineering or quantity surveying
• Ideally a bachelors degree in engineering / project / construction management or a related field
• ECITB QCF Level 5 Diploma (or equivalent) in Cost Engineering (Cost Control)
• A professional qualification and membership (e.g. APM/AcostE/RICS) (or equivalent)