JOB TITLE: Cost Engineer
Location: Warrington or Preston, UK (on site 3 days per week)
Sector: Water Infrastructure
Salary: Competitive, dependent on experience. 40-hour week.
Help deliver a once-in-a-generation investment in the UK's water infrastructure.
PACE Global is recruiting Cost Engineers on behalf of our client to support a major water utility's capital investment programme, working within the delivery team of a leading global engineering consultancy.
The AMP8 investment cycle (2025-2030) represents a multi-billion-pound commitment to upgrading water and wastewater networks, treatment works and environmental performance across the region.
The Opportunity
These are practitioner-level (mid-range) positions, though strong senior candidates will also be considered. You will sit within the consultancy's delivery team, working alongside project managers, planners, commercial and risk professionals, and will be accountable for the cost control, forecasting and reporting of a portfolio of water infrastructure schemes. Roles are based on site in either Warrington or Preston three days per week, on a 40-hour working week.
Key Responsibilities
Reporting into the cost management lead, your core duties will include:
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Delivering end-to-end cost management across a portfolio of water and wastewater capital schemes, from early development through to delivery and close-out
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Establishing and maintaining budgets, cost baselines and cost breakdown structures aligned to the programme's controls framework
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Producing monthly cost reports covering actuals, accruals, commitments and forecasts (EAC/ETC), with clear commentary for client and delivery-partner stakeholders
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Carrying out variance analysis against budget and forecast, identifying drivers and recommending corrective actions
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Applying earned value management and other performance-measurement techniques to track project health
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Supporting change control by assessing the cost impact of scope changes, trends, early warnings and risks
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Working closely with planners, quantity surveyors, risk managers and project managers to integrate cost with schedule and risk
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Presenting cost positions and insights to client and delivery-partner stakeholders with confidence and clarity
About You
We're looking for established cost professionals who can hit the ground running in a fast-moving, multi-stakeholder programme environment.
You'll ideally have:
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Solid practitioner-level experience in cost management / cost engineering on major capital projects (senior-level candidates also welcomed)
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A degree (or equivalent) in quantity surveying, engineering, construction or a related discipline, or comparable experience
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Strong Excel skills and proficiency with cost management systems (e.g. Prism, EcoSys, SAP, Oracle Unifier or similar)
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Excellent stakeholder management and communication skills, comfortable presenting to client and delivery-partner teams
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The right to work in the UK and the ability to be on site in Warrington or Preston three days per week
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Background within sectors such as Water, Utilities, Infrastructure, Energy or Construction
Desirable
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Membership of (or working towards) a relevant professional body such as RICS, ACostE or AACE
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Working knowledge of NEC contracts (NEC3/NEC4) and earned value methodologies
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Previous experience on regulated water frameworks or earlier AMP cycles (AMP6/AMP7)
Why Join?
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Work on one of the most significant water infrastructure investment programmes in UK history
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A long-term pipeline of work through to 2030, with genuine scope for career progression
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Hybrid working pattern: three days on site in Warrington or Preston, the rest remote
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A competitive package and a straightforward 40-hour week
Apply
If you're a cost professional ready to make your mark on one of the UK's flagship infrastructure programmes, we'd love to hear from you. Apply today or contact PACE Global for a confidential discussion.
AMP8 water plus Warrington / Preston might an identifier for who the client is for candidates