Cost Estimating Programme Manager (Permanent)

Cost Estimating Programme Manager, Permanent, London , SW1Y 4PE

The Cost Estimating Programme Manager will be responsible for developing and running the Cost Estimating Programme for Bradwell B (BRB), as a key member of the Investment Case team within the Finance and Investment Department (FID).

The Cost Estimating Programme will include:

* Developing the strategy and management arrangements
* Overseeing the delivery of and facilitating the assurance of all lifecycle cost estimating and cash flow inputs to the financial model
* Evidencing the validity of the cost estimates to senior executives, shareholders and external stakeholders
* Estimating the cost impact of risk events to develop Quantitative Cost Risk Assessments (QCRA) for both the management of risk and the establishment of cost contingency

The candidate will have significant in depth experience of the delivery and oversight of cost estimating for major infrastructure programmes, in regulated industries (preferably nuclear).

The candidate will need to be adept at working in a multi-disciplinary and multi-cultural team with significant interfaces and team working between the UK and China.

Principal Accountabilities

The principal accountabilities of the Cost Estimating Programme Manager will be to:
* Establish, maintain, lead and continually improve the cost estimating programme, including drafting of management arrangements documentation
* Report to the Executive Team and the BRB project board for all cost estimating deliverables
* Establish the baseline iteration cost estimates for all lifecycle costs as inputs to the financial model
* Ensure adequate cost estimating support is provided to the development programme, project controls, and commercial and procurement functions
* Establish the Cost Discovery and Verification CD&V requirements of the UK Government, as part of a broader investment case due diligence requirement for shareholders and external stakeholders
* Evidence the validity and suitability of the BRB cost estimates relative to the development phase of the BRB programme and as part of any CD&V and value for money assessments by shareholders and external stakeholders
* Ensure clarity and objectivity on Estimating Uncertainty relating to any cost estimating deliverables and the direct relationship to cost contingency provisions for the BRB programme

Knowledge, Skills, Qualifications & Experience

* Minimum degree level and preferably a masters or post graduate degree in an appropriate subject (e.g. quantity surveying or construction / infrastructure programme management)
* Minimum of 10 years relevant experience whilst working on nationally significant and regulated major infrastructure programmes
* Prior experience of working at a senior level (reporting into programme directors) with responsibility to lead both delivery and oversight of cost estimating
* Establishing and managing diverse teams to deliver cost estimating for major infrastructure programmes, to support development decisions, determine feasibility and establish whole lifecycle cost budgets
* Working with finance departments and providing cash flow inputs to comprehensive financial models to evaluate economic performance
* Considerable experience of drafting technical specifications and managing professional consultancy providers for the delivery of cost estimating services strong UK industry links a preference and experience of working with Chinese construction and / or nuclear new build industries an advantage
* Evidence of working and managing programmes of work in complex stakeholder environments and preference for an experience of multinational joint ventures
* Comprehensive understanding of integrated project controls and the interfaces between cost estimating, project management, technical and corporate functions
* An understanding of the requirements for Cost Discovery and Verification (CD&V) to support decision making and value for money assessments on infrastructure spending by the UK Government
* A broad understanding of assurance processes for cost estimating programmes, including the guidance and requirements of the IPA
* Experience of working in the nuclear sector in the UK is desirable, with a preference for nuclear new build power generation and an understanding of the key drivers of lifecycle costs