Cost Controls Manager

Role Title

Cost Controls Manager

Sustainment (Defence & Commercial Vessels)

Why Austal

• Competitive compensation and benefits package
• Professional development and training opportunities
• A supportive and dynamic work environment
• Opportunities for career advancement within our growing organisation

What's on Offer?

• Located in Naval Base, WA
• Permanent salaried position
• Nine-day fortnight with an RDO every second Friday
• Salary sacrificing, Novated leasing, Retailer discount, EAP, Insurance discounts

About Austal

Austal (ASX:ASB) is Australia’s global shipbuilder, defence Prime contractor and marine technology partner of choice which designs, constructs and supports defence and commercial ships for the world’s leading operators. With shipyards in Australia, the USA, the Philippines, Vietnam, and China - and with service centres located around the world - Austal has more than 6,800 employees, globally.  You will have the opportunity to become part of the world’s largest aluminium shipbuilder and Australia’s largest defence exporter.

At Austal we are committed to providing a safe and inclusive work environment for all. We believe that achieving greater diversity will enhance our operations and as such we actively encourage Aboriginal & Torres Strait Islanders, people of all backgrounds, ages, sexual orientation, and those with Disability to apply. Our global team is guided by a universal set of values being excellence, customer focus, integrity, and teamwork to lead our actions.

About the Role

This is an exciting opportunity for an experienced and leadership-focussed Cost Controls Manager to join Australia’s defence Prime contractor and support the project team in the delivery of critical programs which provide in-service vessels as part of Austal’s sustainment operations. Based in Naval Base, WA, you will report to the Business Performance Manager to manage all cost control activities which ensure assigned Defence vessel programs are delivered to the expectations of our valued clients.

As part of Austal’s sustainment program, this role is responsible for managing and coordinating Cost Controls for multiple projects and delivery streams required for Defence vessel in-service support and maintenance programs.  The Cost Controls Manager is responsible for establishing and maintaining a comprehensive framework for project cost control to enable effective budgeting, forecasting, and reporting of project performance metrics in line with program and project schedules to reduce risk and optimise financial performance. The Cost Controls Manager will lead a Cost Controls team and drive performance to support superior customer focus to deliver on program objectives.

Key objectives & responsibilities include:

• Manage project budgets by developing budget forecasts, ensuring cost control measures are effective, tracking expenditures, and analysing project data to identify trends, issues, and areas for improvement to ensure tasks and deliverables are delivered to expected budget requirements with any variations appropriately governed against contracts;

• Develop and deliver regular project status reports to review cost performance, including EAC forecasts, and facilitate data-driven decision-making among project teams, stakeholders, and senior management;

• Manage changes to project scope and budget, by assessing impacts, obtaining approvals, implementing change control processes, and ensuring changes are properly documented and communicated to stakeholders to meet contractual outcomes;

• Conduct financial True-Ups to support annual contractual requirements in conjunction with Project Finance;

• Establish, develop and manage multiple stakeholder relationships effectively supported by superior communication skills to inform stakeholders of status, issues, impacts, risk and change;

• Collaborate with the Business Performance Manager & Operational Excellence Manager to identify and develop business improvement opportunities, incorporating lessons learned; and

• Provide training and support to project teams on project controls processes, tools, and best practices, fostering a culture of accountability and excellence in project management.  

About you

This role would suit a proactive and highly customer- focussed and experienced Cost Controls professional.

Required Skills / Experience / Attributes:

Essential

• 10+ years’ experience in project controls with 5+ years’ experience in a leadership role
• Degree in Commerce, Business, Project Management or related field
• Qualification in Project Controls and/or Project Management
• Hold a construction safety induction (white card)
• Excellent communication, negotiation, and proven stakeholder management ability
• Strong customer focus and commercial acumen
• Strong people management skills and team building capability

Desirable

• Proven understanding of risk management, earned value management systems (EVMS) principles and project management
• Proven experience with project Cost Controls and EVMS software and tools
• Advanced competency in Microsoft Excel for data analysis and reporting