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Cost Manager
Cost Manager – Better Rivers PMO Team
At United Utilities, we’re investing in a better future for our rivers, communities, and environment through one of the largest and most exciting infrastructure programmes in the country.
We’re looking for a talented Cost Manager to join our Better Rivers PMO Team, supporting the successful delivery of projects across the Lancashire region.
About the Role
This is a highly visible role where you will work in partnership with Project Managers, delivery teams, and project controls specialists to provide robust cost management, assurance, and forecasting across a diverse portfolio of projects. You will play a key role in project decision-making, ensuring investment is aligned with accurate planning, control, and efficient delivery.
This is a hybrid role, offering flexibility with:
- Regular time spent at our Preston Hub and United Utilities Headquarters in Warrington
- Partnerships with cross-functional teams and stakeholders
As the role requires regular travel between Preston and Langley Mere, Warrington, a full UK driving licence is essential.
What You’ll Be Doing
- Partner with Risk, Planning, and Project Controls colleagues to drive successful project delivery and strengthen cross-functional collaboration.
- Manage project costs and budgets, ensuring alignment with project structures while providing clear analysis of performance, trends, and variances.
- Support Project Managers and delivery teams with effective cost control, managing commitments, journals, accruals, and forecasts.
- Provide robust cost assurance through the review and constructive challenge of estimates, trends, and change impacts, ensuring strong financial control and data integrity.
- Assess the impact of project changes and ensure approved updates are accurately reflected within project baselines.
- Produce and review Earned Value Management (EVM) reporting, identifying performance trends and delivering meaningful insights that support effective decision-making.
- Maintain accurate cost, budget, and forecast reporting, applying attention to detail while tracking performance against approved project baselines.
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What We’re Looking For
- Degree-qualified in a relevant discipline, or equivalent professional experience with proven expertise in Cost Management, Project Controls, or Programme Delivery.
- Strong financial, analytical, and problem-solving skills with the ability to interpret complex data and provide meaningful project insights.
- Excellent stakeholder management and communication skills, including confidence in building relationships, influencing outcomes, and constructively challenging assumptions, estimates, and data.
- A proactive, organised, and methodical approach, with the ability to:
- Work autonomously,
- Manage competing priorities,
- Collaborate independently while maintaining exceptional attention to detail.
- Knowledge of Primavera P6, SAP, and project controls tools would be advantageous, alongside qualifications like MAPM or ACostE.
- Full UK driving licence is essential.
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Why This Role
This opportunity lets you play a key role in a major environmental programme, leaving a lasting legacy across the North West. You’ll:
- Influence significant investment decisions
- Work alongside experienced project professionals
- Contribute directly to the successful delivery of critical infrastructure projects that benefit customers and communities
Benefits
- 26 days’ annual leave (rising to 30 days with service) + bank holidays
- Competitive pension (up to 14% employer contribution + life cover)
- Performance-related bonus (up to 7.5% + recognition awards)
- Company-funded healthcare and wellbeing support (including mental health resources and an Employee Assistance Programme)
- Discounts, gym savings, and flexible benefits via MORE Choices
- Financial wellbeing support (Salary Finance & Wealth at Work)
- Electric vehicle scheme and ShareBuy options
- Enhanced parental leave
If you’re an experienced Cost Manager, Project Controls professional, or cost-focused project specialist looking for a role where you can challenge, influence, and add real value, we’d love to hear from you.
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