Introduction
We are seeking a Project Controls Specialist to join Buro Happold’s UK Projects team in London. In this pivotal role you will partner with senior leaders to drive effective project planning and pipeline management across a dynamic portfolio, embodying our values of accountability, collaboration, curiosity and diversity while supporting successful delivery of complex engineering projects.
Responsibilities
- Maintain and regularly review the project pipeline to ensure accuracy and reflect current status and future forecasts.
- Ensure bid outcomes and project details are recorded correctly in relevant systems, safeguarding data integrity.
- Create comprehensive work‑stage structures for all disciplines, enabling accurate task allocation and progress tracking.
- Provide dedicated project control support to a designated business unit and flexibly assist other areas as required.
- Develop draft project plans during the bid stage, incorporating input from all relevant disciplines and updating dates as they evolve.
- Collaborate with Job Leaders to validate project plans, ensuring alignment with objectives and resource allocation.
- Create and maintain accurate project records, including additional jobs where necessary.
- Populate and maintain contract administration information such as invoice schedules, contingencies and fee allocation.
- Support the completion of internal change authorisation forms and manage change control processes.
- Facilitate time‑allocation adjustments between project phases, liaising with relevant departments on behalf of Project Directors.
- Organise and participate in monthly project reviews, providing insights on performance and potential risks.
- Produce and distribute regular reports, including Time and Labour System and Project Value Analysis reports.
- Conduct financial reviews and scenario planning to inform decision‑making.
- Handle invoice reconciliations to ensure accurate and timely payment processing.
- Monitor month‑end accounts to verify disciplines are performing within expected profit margins and raise concerns where needed.
- Manage project closure activities, including contingency release and profit‑share advice.
- Review Estimates to Complete with Job Leaders, identifying cost overruns or underruns.
- Advocate best‑practice project finance and lifecycle management across the portfolio.
- Provide training on project management systems and control processes.
Skills & Experience
- Strong numeracy and ability to analyse large datasets, presenting insights clearly.
- Proven experience in project planning, scope definition, milestone setting and resource allocation; knowledge of CPM and Agile methodologies preferred.
- Expertise in earned‑value, cost, risk and change management techniques.
- Excellent written, verbal and interpersonal communication skills, capable of engaging stakeholders at all levels.
- Critical thinking and analytical problem‑solving abilities to resolve complex project issues.
- Proficiency with ERP tools (e.g., VantagePoint), MS Project, Primavera P6, Power BI and the full MS Office suite.
- Strong organisational skills, with the ability to manage time, prioritise tasks and work independently.
- Degree in Business, Finance, Engineering, Project Management or equivalent professional experience.
A place for everyone
Buro Happold values an individual's flexible approaches to working patterns as an important part of how you work and achieve balance. We welcome applications from those who are seeking flexibility in their careers.
Our exceptional portfolio of projects is the result of the diversity of thought, identities, backgrounds, and experiences that shape us. Appreciating each other’s differences is key, we want employees to feel they don’t have to mask elements of their identity to thrive.
We are working to change the lack of representation of marginalised groups in the built environment. We are particularly keen to hear from anyone who feels they are underrepresented in the industry. We have much to learn from one another. Embracing differences allows us to develop the most innovative and elegant solutions.
Please let us know if there are any adjustments we could make to the application process to make it easier and more comfortable for you. Contact recruitment@burohappold.com so we can work with you to support you throughout your application.