Cost Manager - Systems

About the Role

As a Cost Manager at HS2 you will be responsible for supporting the Head of Cost and Estimating at a Programme and Contract level. This includes supporting the management of budgets, actual costs, forecasts and Earned Value Management (EVM) to support the successful delivery of HS2. Responsibilities include analysing and verifying contract‑level cost performance, validating cost data submitted by delivery teams, developing performance reports (EVM, forecasts, EAC), ensuring alignment with business processes, supporting the Senior Cost Manager in adherence to procedures, maintaining data in corporate systems, providing technical support to Project Controls Managers, collaborating with the supply chain to enhance cost performance, facilitating continuous improvement and lessons‑learned, and ensuring contract teams follow governance and policy. The role also requires active promotion and embedding of Equality, Diversity and Inclusion (EDI) in all work and compliance with organisational EDI initiatives, policies and procedures. • Support Head of Cost and Estimating in managing budgets, forecasts and Earned Value Management. • Analyse, verify and validate contract‑level cost performance data. • Produce performance reports including EVM, forecasted costs and Estimate at Completion. • Ensure cost performance aligns with business processes and governance policies. • Provide technical support to Project Controls Managers and assist contractor teams. • Collaborate with the supply chain to enhance cost performance capabilities. • Drive continuous improvement and capture lessons learned for the Cost Performance function. • Promote and embed Equality, Diversity and Inclusion in all activities. • Maintain adherence to HS2 values of Safety, Leadership, Integrity and Respect.

Key Responsibilities

• ▸budgeting
• ▸forecasting
• ▸earned value
• ▸cost analysis
• ▸performance reports
• ▸technical support

What You Bring

The ideal candidate has strong stakeholder‑management skills in a matrix environment, problem‑solving attention to detail, clear communication and presentation abilities, and data‑analysis expertise to produce timely reports. Proficiency with Microsoft Office applications is required. Knowledge expectations include Project Controls, Commercial and Finance processes, construction contract types (NEC, amendments, early warnings), core Project Controls disciplines (schedule, change and risk management), and baseline development on major programmes. Required experience comprises cost management or project control roles on major projects, core project controls functions (baseline maintenance, schedule, cost performance, change, risk, reporting, document control), production of performance reports covering budgets, EVM and forecasts, and use of core cost management systems. Behaviour must align with HS2 values of Safety, Leadership, Integrity and Respect and support EDI. HS2 does not hold a sponsorship licence; applicants must already have the right to work in the UK. Offers are subject to pre‑employment checks (nationality, references, DBS, financial and education). Applications are assessed first on the CV, which is anonymised to remove bias; an updated Word CV should be attached. • Demonstrate stakeholder management, problem‑solving, clear communication and data‑analysis skills. • Possess knowledge of Project Controls, commercial finance processes and NEC construction contracts. • Experience in cost management or project control on major projects, including baseline maintenance and performance reporting.

Requirements

• ▸stakeholder management
• ▸project controls
• ▸nec contracts
• ▸cost management
• ▸microsoft office
• ▸data analysis

Benefits

Location Birmingham. Salary depends on skills and experience. HS2 Ltd endeavours to ensure everyone working for us and with us feels included, thrives and achieves their full potential. In practice, this means we are positive and inclusive about making adjustments, providing flexible working, encouraging our staff networks to flourish and providing personal and professional development opportunities.

Work Environment

Hybrid