Project Controls and Cost Lead

Role: Project Controls and Cost Lead

Salary: DOE 

Reporting to: Commercial Director

Location: Ireland / Mainland Europe (Project Dependent)

MSL Engineering Ltd is a mechanical engineering contractor dedicated to delivering a service that incorporates the highest standards of workmanship, safety, quality and reliability in interpreting and exceeding our clients' expectations. Guided by honesty, respect and integrity, we are dedicated to forging enduring partnerships that deliver mutual benefit and success for our clients, team and community. 

Our vision is to be globally recognised as the benchmark for excellence in mechanical project delivery, engineering design and offsite modular fabrication. Driven by our unparalleled team and our track record of successful project execution, we aim to consistently deliver superior, innovative solutions that empower our clients’ success worldwide.

The Project Controls & Cost Lead is responsible for establishing, maintaining and reporting all project controls functions across large-scale mechanical construction projects. The role ensures effective cost management, forecasting, planning, progress measurement, change control and performance reporting to support successful project delivery

Key Responsibilities

Cost Management & Commercial Control

• Lead the project cost control function from project award through to final account.
• Develop and maintain detailed project budgets, cost plans and cash flow forecasts.
• Monitor actual costs against budget and identify cost overruns, risks and opportunities.
• Produce weekly and monthly cost reports for project and senior management teams.
• Validate labour productivity, resource utilisation and earned value metrics.
• Work closely with Quantity Surveyors to ensure accurate valuation of works, variations and change orders.
• Support forecasting of final project costs and margin performance.
• Analyse subcontractor and vendor cost performance and identify corrective actions where required.

 

Planning & Schedule Control

• Support project teams in developing detailed project schedules and execution plans.
• Monitor progress against baseline programmes and key project milestones.
• Track critical path activities and provide early warning of schedule risks.
• Coordinate with Project Managers, Construction Managers and Discipline Leads to ensure alignment of cost and schedule performance.
• Produce look-ahead reports and recovery plans where required.

 

Progress Measurement & Reporting

• Develop project control procedures, reporting dashboards and KPI frameworks.
• Establish progress measurement systems for engineering, procurement, fabrication and site installation activities.
• Consolidate reporting from multiple workstreams into a single project controls dashboard.
• Prepare executive-level reports highlighting project performance, risks and mitigation actions.
• Present project controls updates during client and management review meetings.

Change Management

• Implement and maintain formal change control procedures.
• Track potential variation orders, scope changes and commercial impacts.
• Assess the cost and schedule implications of changes prior to approval.
• Ensure all changes are properly documented, valued and included in forecasts.

Risk & Opportunity Management

• Lead project cost and schedule risk reviews.
• Maintain risk and opportunity registers relating to project execution.
• Quantify financial and programme impacts of identified risks.
• Support development of mitigation and recovery strategies.

Systems & Data Management

• Ensure integrity and accuracy of project controls data.
• Maintain project controls systems, trackers and reporting tools.
• Develop reporting templates and standardised processes across projects.
• Drive continuous improvement in project controls methodologies and reporting.

Stakeholder Management

• Act as the focal point for project controls matters with clients, project teams and senior management.
• Support commercial reviews, project status meetings and client reporting requirements.
• Work collaboratively with Operations, Engineering, Procurement, Construction and Commercial teams.
• Mentor and support Project Controls Engineers, Cost Engineers and Planners where applicable.

Key Performance Indicators (KPIs)

• Cost forecast accuracy.
• Project margin performance.
• Schedule adherence and milestone achievement.
• Timely issue of monthly reporting.
• Variation identification and recovery.
• Cost and productivity performance against budget.
• Accuracy of earned value and progress reporting.

Experience & Qualifications

• Degree in Engineering, Quantity Surveying, Construction Management, Project Controls or related discipline.
• 8+ years' experience in project controls, cost engineering or commercial project delivery.
• Experience delivering mechanical, piping, life sciences, pharmaceutical, semiconductor or industrial projects.
• Strong knowledge of project planning and cost management principles.
• Advanced Excel skills and experience with project controls software (Primavera P6, Power BI, SAP, Deltek, EcoSys or similar).
• Excellent analytical, communication and stakeholder management skills

We provide a competitive salary that reflects your experience and qualifications. Moreover, you will have the chance to thrive in a dynamic and supportive environment. Our organization prioritizes work-life balance and promotes professional development through various training and growth opportunities. 

MSL Engineering is an equal opportunity employer dedicated to maintaining a hiring process that is fair and accessible for everyone involved in our recruitment efforts. We strive to attract and retain top talent while embracing diversity. 

Given the urgent nature of this position, we are unable to consider candidates who lack the required work permits. Applications that do not include the appropriate visa will not be considered. 

If you are interested in the position described above and would like to obtain more details, please reach out to Jennie today at +353 86 127 7250 in complete confidence, or send an email to [email protected].