United Utilities
Cost Manager
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Cost Manager
Cost Manager | Preston | Hybrid | £50,290
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.
This is a highly visible role where you'll work in partnership with Project Managers, delivery teams, and project controls specialists to provide robust:
- Cost management
- Assurance
- Forecasting
—across a diverse portfolio of projects.
Your key responsibilities will include:
- Driving successful project decision-making
- Ensuring investment is accurately planned, controlled, and delivered efficiently
- Providing critical insight and constructive challenge to facilitate successful project outcomes
This is a hybrid role, with flexibility to work from home alongside regular time at our Preston Hub and United Utilities Headquarters in Warrington.
You’ll build strong stakeholder relationships, provide valuable cost insights, and challenge assumptions and estimates where needed. Collaboration with a wider PMO and cost management team is expected.
A full UK driving licence is essential for regular travel between Preston and Lingley Mere, Warrington.
Role Highlights
You’ll develop your career within a supportive, collaborative environment, offering:
- Autonomy to manage your own workload and think independently
- Guidance and development opportunities from an experienced PMO team
If you enjoy:
- Working with complex data
- Influencing project teams
- Providing cost assurance
- Taking ownership of your work
—this role presents an excellent opportunity.
We’re looking for:
- A methodical, organised talent
- Someone confident in challenging costs, estimates, and assumptions in a constructive way
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Responsibilities
Core Tasks
- Partner with Risk, Planning and Project Controls colleagues to:
- Drive successful project delivery
- Strengthen cross-functional collaboration
- Manage project costs and budgets, ensuring alignment with project structures while providing:
- Clear analysis of performance
- Trends
- Variances
- Support Project Managers and delivery teams with:
- Effective cost control
- Management of commitments
- Journals
- Accruals
- Forecasts
- Provide robust cost assurance through:
- Review and constructive challenge of estimates, trends, and change impacts
- Ensuring strong financial control and data integrity
- Assess the impact of project changes, ensuring:
- Approved updates are reflected accurately within project baselines
- Produce and review Earned Value Management reporting, including:
- Identification of performance trends
- Delivering meaningful insights that support effective decision-making
- Maintain accurate cost, budget, and forecast reporting, with:
- Strong attention to detail
- Tracking performance against approved project baselines
Requirements
Qualifications & Experience
- Degree in a relevant discipline, or equivalent professional experience
- Proven experience in:
- Cost Management
- Project Controls
- Programme Delivery
- Strong understanding of:
- Cost management methodologies
- Systems
Key Skills & Competencies
- Strong financial, analytical, and problem-solving skills to:
- Interpret complex data
- Identify trends
- Provide meaningful insights for project performance and decision-making
- Excellent stakeholder management and communication skills to:
- Build relationships
- Influence outcomes
- Constructively challenge assumptions, estimates, and data where necessary
- Proactive, organised, and methodical approach, with the ability to:
- Work autonomously
- Manage competing priorities
- Think independently
- Maintain exceptional attention to detail
- Knowledge of the following (advantageous):
- Primavera P6
- SAP
- Project controls tools
- Qualifications such as MAPM or ACostE or equivalent in Project Management or Project Controls
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Travel Requirement
- A full UK driving licence is essential for commuting between:
- Preston
- Lingley Mere, Warrington
Why This Role?
An opportunity to play a key role in a major environmental programme with a lasting legacy across the North West.
- Influence significant investment decisions
- Work alongside experienced project professionals
- Direct contribution to critical infrastructure projects that benefit:
- Customers
- Communities
Benefits
Core Offerings
- 26 days annual leave, rising to 30 days with service
- Bank holidays included
- Competitive pension, up to 14% employer contribution with life cover
Financial Incentives
- Performance-related bonus of up to 7.5%
- Recognition awards
- Electric vehicle scheme
- ShareBuy options
Wellbeing & Support
- Company funded healthcare plan
- Wellbeing resources including:
- Mental health support
- Employee Assistance Programme
- Financial wellbeing support:
- Salary Finance
- Wealth at Work
Additional Benefits
- Access to discounts through MORE Choices
- Gym savings
- Flexible benefits
- 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 assumptions
- Influence outcomes
- Add real value
—apply today to join a team that delivers real change.
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