Cost Control Lead

NES Fircroft are looking for a Cost Control Lead to join a leading contractor based in Paris, supporting a major LNG project.

JOB PURPOSE:
To assure the project performance of the project through the implementation and management of effective cost control methods and lead at all the levels, established by Senior Manager, Project Controls.
Ensure EPC projects are executed professionally, diligently, effectively and to the required quality and HSE standards in a manner ensuring satisfactory relations with all stakeholders.

KEY ACCOUNTABILITIES:

Job Specific Accountabilities

• Ensure that effective mechanisms and resources are in place for the monitoring of project’s progress, the implementation of management directives and guidance to the team towards achieving project objectives.
• Responsible to ensure the project control cost control procedure is established to reflect the requirements of the project.
• Guide the project cost control team to develop and install project specific control procedures and reporting systems.
• Responsible to ensure the project cost breakdown structure is established and maintained to reflect the requirements of the project
• Control the implementation of operational methods and procedures of project management and coordination. Recommend any required changes/modifications to the methods and procedures.
• Responsible to assure the monitoring, evaluation, and trending of the EPC Contractor’s performances in the area of cost control.
• Review project budgets and support cost budget preparation prior to submitting for final approval.  Assures the integrity of original control budgets, budget transfers, and endorsed changes and maintains the current control budget and forecasts.
• Participate in prequalification of tenderers, respond to queries during the bid phase, participate in bid evaluation, carry out pre-award contract review and negotiations for main Engineering and Construction contracts together with other concerned parties and submit recommendation accordingly.
• Participate in the settlement of claims by proposing strategies and actions during discussion and negotiations with other parties.
• Review and endorse EPC Contractor’s invoices for payment.
• Review of balance of works prior to signing of Provisional/ Final Acceptance Certificates in collaboration with all concerned to ensure that the works have been satisfactorily completed.
• Supervise the preparation of the proposed Disciplineal budget, monitor expenditures and justify variances.
• Supervise preparation of the Decision Support Package (DSP) including Project Execution Plans, Project procedures and other key Project documents.
• Establishing KPIs that are in line with project objectives. Monitoring and periodical review of performance and to make recommendations to overcome challenges to meet the KPI targets.
• Audit the execution performance of the projects to maintain control over project’s budget and make necessary recommendations for corrective actions.
•  Is responsible to assure and develop the project baseline across scope, time, cost, risk and quality for a development or delivery area, providing strategic insight and analysis of performance against the baseline and highlighting any trends or risks supporting decision making.
• Review projects changes to scope, variation orders, Engineering and Construction Contracts, claims and make necessary recommendations to Management.
•  Is responsible to enhance overall performance of Project Management Teams through interface, coordination and by the management of resources at their disposal so that the projects are executed professionally, diligently, effectively and to the required quality and HSE standards in a manner ensuring satisfactory relations with all stakeholders.
• Plan the staffing requirements and propose resource planning for projects.
• Proactively and continuously support stakeholders, both internal and external, with the resources required to execute the work efficiently.
• Directs the work of the assigned personnel.
• Perform the administrative duties for the employees’ periodic performance reviews.
• Identify training needs and consolidates the training and development plans for his subordinates (with emphasis on UAE Nationals) in conjunction with supervisors and Human Resources & Administration Division.  Administer the implementation of approved training and development programs within the Discipline.
• Ensure implementation of all Lessons Learned and Projects Risk areas from previous and ongoing Projects are systematically captured within Project database as part of overall Knowledge Management initiative.

Others:

• Safeguard own Health and Safety, as well as that of the fellow employees, by paying attention to safe work practices, maintaining a safe work environment, and complying with applicable HSE requirements.
• Take action to INTERVENE and STOP any un-safe activity or non-compliance with HSE requirements, if witnessed, and report the incident – regardless of your position or that of the transgressor

Generic Accountabilities

Supervision

• Where applicable; plan, supervise and coordinate all activities in the assigned area to meet functional objectives.
• Where appliable; Train and develop the assigned staff on relevant skills to enable them to become proficient on the job and deliver the respective section objectives.

Budgets

• Develop and manage the annual budget in line with the business objectives and operational plans ensuring that adequate funding provision is made for all activities.
• Monitor expenditure against approved budget on a regular basis; investigate, highlight and reconcile any significant variances to ensure effective performance and cost control.

Policies, Systems, Processes & Procedures

• Develop and implement appropriate policies, processes, systems, Quality standards, procedures, and internal controls, guidelines in order to support execution of the work programs in line with company and International standards.

Performance Management

• Development of the KPI’s and ensure proper cascade of the Performance objectives within the Discipline and establish monitoring mechanisms to ensure delivery of these objectives and promote a performance driven culture.
• Manage the implementation of the Performance Management System for individuals within the Discipline in accordance with company approved guidelines.

People Development

• Develop knowledge, competencies and innovative spirit in the Discipline and support the establishment of Personal Development Plans (PDP’s), Succession Planning and Talent pipeline within the Discipline in coordination with the Human Capital to continuously develop employees with emphasis on UAE Nationals to meet Emiratization targets.

Organisation Structure and Development

• Review, develop and recommend the appropriate organisation structure for the Discipline that will best utilise human capital while proactively incorporating sustainability into the on-going work practices to meet the business objectives.

Innovation and Continuous Improvement

• Promote an organisation culture that encourages innovation, enhances employee motivation and supports initiatives for implementation of Change Management to continuously improve the Discipline operations and services.
• Recommend improvements in internal processes against best practices in pursuit of greater efficiency in line with ISO standards in order to define intelligent solutions for issues confronting the Discipline.

Health, Safety, Environment (HSE) and Sustainability

• Support the institution and implementation of an HSE culture and ensure compliance with relevant HSE policies, procedures, systems & controls and applicable legislation and sustainability guidelines across the Discipline in line with international standards, best practices and Company Code of Practices.
• Ensure adequate HSE training and induction for all Discipline employees to meet HSE standards.

Management Information Systems (MIS) and Reports

• Ensure that all Discipline MIS and progress reports are prepared to provide accurate and timely reports and necessary information to Management to effectively manage the business.

COMMUNICATIONS & WORKING RELATIONSHIPS:

Internal

• All members of the Project Team up to Vice President, Project Execution (Growth)

External

• • EPC/ EPCM Contractors & Engineering Consultants
  • Project Management Consultants
  • Construction Contractors
  • Manufacturers/ Vendors and OEMs.
  • Third Party Inspection Agencies & Consultants

QUALIFICATIONS, EXPERIENCE, KNOWLEDGE & SKILLS: Minimum Qualification

• Bachelor’s degree in in Engineering or equivalent Professional Qualification

Minimum Experience & Knowledge & Skills
 

• Minimum Experience

12 years of experience associated with Projects and/or Contracts including at least 5 years’ experience in cost control and engineering including at least 5 years of experience Cost / Project Controls activities in the Oil, Gas or Petrochemical industry, including 2 years in a lead/supervisory role.
 

• Knowledge & Skills

• Clear Direction - Ability to give clear direction. Defining and prioritizing objectives, analyzing inputs, assessing, and challenging data, defining strategies and supporting rationales.
• Stakeholder management - Ability to manage stakeholders, building and maintaining effective relationships with internal and external stakeholders as appropriate.
• Effective verbal and written communication skills - Ability to present at Portfolio level; communicate on project controls updates and processes to project and supply chain teams, citing a wide range of examples of application.
• Influencing & Negotiating Skills – including internal and external stakeholders.
• Facilitation - Ability to manage workshops to solve critical problems and provide clear direction to team members on the actions needed to manage and mitigate any critical issues.
• Problem Solving – Ability to identify multifaceted problems and reviewing related information to develop and evaluate options and implement solutions.
• Data Analysis and Presentation - Ability to analyze and interpret data and produce accurate timely and informative reports in multiple formats targeted to the needs of the audience.
• Excellent interpersonal and people management skill.
• Excellent communication and presentation skills
• Strong strategic decision-making skills
• Excellent knowledge of spoken and written English

Professional Certifications

• Not mandatory but any relevant Certification like Project Management Professional (PMP) or similar qualifications would be an advantage.

TECHNICAL COMPETENCIES:

• Excellent knowledge of the core Project Controls disciplines, including Cost Management and Change Management.
• Excellent knowledge of baseline development and maintenance of baselines on a programme.
• Excellent knowledge of the Project and Commercial Management principles including understanding of cost delivery, schedule targets.

Work Condition:
General office work, mostly related to use of computers, participation in discussions and meetings.  Visits to site also generally around office work.
During EPC stages of projects, occasional site visits may be performed to about 5% of working time. 

With over 90 years' combined experience, NES Fircroft (NES) is proud to be the world's leading engineering staffing provider spanning the Oil & Gas, Power & Renewables, Chemicals, Construction & Infrastructure, Life Sciences, Mining and Manufacturing sectors worldwide. With more than 80 offices in 45 countries, we are able to provide our clients with the engineering and technical expertise they need, wherever and whenever it is needed. We offer contractors far more than a traditional recruitment service, supporting with everything from securing visas and work permits, to providing market-leading benefits packages and accommodation, ensuring they are safely and compliantly able to support our clients.