Project Cost Controller

Melbourne

About the role

We’re looking for an experienced Project Cost Controller to oversee the financial performance of our projects across the construction lifecycle. Working closely with the Project Manager and delivery team, you’ll provide accurate cost reporting, budget monitoring, forecasting and commercial analysis that supports confident decision-making.

You’ll play a key role in identifying cost risks, tracking expenditure and commitments, and maintaining visibility of forecast cost to complete and project profitability, partnering with construction, engineering, procurement, contracts and finance teams.

Key responsibilities

- Establish, maintain and monitor the project cost control framework, including budgets, cost codes, commitments and expenditure
- Track actual expenditure against approved budgets across engineering, procurement, construction, subcontractors, labour, plant and materials
- Review contractor invoices and raise purchase order requisitions
- Provide change order advice to the Project Manager and track the financial impact of variations, scope changes and claims
- Prepare and maintain cost forecasts, including EAC, ETC and forecast final cost
- Maintain visibility of committed costs, accruals, actual expenditure and outstanding obligations
- Produce monthly cost reports and support management and executive reporting
- Monitor project cash flow forecasts, payment milestones and financial commitments




- Support assessment of subcontractor progress claims and payment applications
- Work with the Contracts Administrator, procurement and Finance teams to reconcile project costs
- Attend progress and cost review meetings, providing clear analysis of performance and emerging risks
- Support audits, final cost reconciliation and financial close-out, and contribute to lessons learned

About you

- Tertiary qualification in Construction Management, Engineering, Finance, Accounting, Commerce or a related discipline (or equivalent experience)
- Demonstrated experience in project cost control, project controls or commercial cost management in construction, infrastructure, engineering or EPC environments
- Background in an EPC contractor or major construction delivery workplace
- Strong understanding of project budgets, cost forecasting, committed costs, accruals and financial reporting
- Experience preparing cost reports, cash flow forecasts, variance analysis and EAC/ETC forecasts
- Advanced Excel skills, including financial modelling and data analysis
- Strong communication, analytical and stakeholder management skills

Desirable

- Experience in renewable energy, BESS, solar, electrical infrastructure or substation projects
- Experience with change management, variations and subcontractor cost tracking
- Understanding of scheduling, progress measurement and earned value principles
- Experience with MYOB Acumatica

📌 Cost Controller (Melbourne)
🏢 Brunel
📍 Melbourne