Our client is a market leader in renewable energy, from the development, design and construction of large scale solar and BESS installations, to their operation and maintenance and market optimisation of BESS assets across the UK and Northern Europe. To date, the company has constructed over 120 grid-scale solar farms and 30 energy storage facilities, while its O&M service division has 1.6GW of assets under management. They are seeking a highly skilled and detail-oriented Cost Engineer to manage and control all aspects of cost estimation, budgeting, forecasting, and cost control for BESS and PV renewable energy projects. The ideal candidate will have expert-level knowledge of Microsoft Excel and Microsoft Project, along with significant experience in the energy sector. You will be responsible for ensuring that project costs are forecast, managed effectively and remain within budget, while contributing to the overall success of the project lifecycle. Key Responsibilities: 1. Cost Estimating: • Develop detailed and accurate cost estimates for high-voltage electrical or renewable energy projects, covering all phases of the project lifecycle (concept, design, procurement, construction, and commissioning). • Work closely with project managers, engineers, and procurement teams to gather and analyse relevant data for accurate cost estimation. • Perform cost benchmarking and comparative analysis to support decision-making processes. • Prepare cost reports and presentations to communicate cost estimates to stakeholders. 2. Budgeting: • Develop and maintain comprehensive project budgets, ensuring alignment with project goals and financial constraints. • Monitor budget performance throughout the project lifecycle, identifying variances and recommending corrective actions. • Provide input into financial forecasting and reporting processes to ensure projects remain within approved budgets. • Review and analyse contractor bids and proposals to ensure that pricing is consistent with cost estimates. 3. Cost Control: • Implement and maintain cost control systems to monitor and control project expenditures. • Conduct regular cost performance reviews to ensure actual costs align with approved budgets. • Investigate cost overruns and propose strategies to bring project costs back in line with forecasts. • Support project managers with cost tracking and reporting, ensuring transparency on cost-related risks and opportunities. • Establish and maintain a cost baseline, tracking variances between actual and forecasted costs. 4. Forecasting: • Prepare accurate cost forecasts for both short-term and long-term project financial performance. • Analyse trends in project costs and provide early warning signals on potential budget risks. • Collaborate with finance teams to integrate project forecasts into broader financial models. • Continuously update project cost forecasts based on changes in project scope, design, procurement, and scheduling. 5. Data Analysis & Reporting: • Analyse cost-related data to identify cost trends, savings opportunities, and potential risks. • Prepare and present detailed cost reports, including Earned Value Management (EVM) analysis, to stakeholders on a regular basis. • Use advanced Excel skills to create dynamic reports, dashboards, and cost-tracking tools. • Leverage data from Microsoft Project to ensure that cost and schedule data are properly aligned for accurate project performance assessments. • Support post-project evaluations by analysing cost variances and lessons learned. Required Skills and Experience: • Bachelor’s Degree in Engineering, Construction Management, Finance, or a related field. • 5 years of experience in cost engineering or project controls, with a focus on high-voltage electrical or renewable energy projects. • Expert-level proficiency in Microsoft Excel for complex data analysis, cost modelling, and report generation (e.g., advanced formulas, pivot tables, macros, and visualizations). • Expert-level proficiency in Microsoft Project, with experience in schedule integration, cost tracking, and resource management. • Proven experience in cost estimating, budgeting, forecasting, and cost control for large-scale infrastructure projects. • Strong knowledge of project management principles, including the ability to analyse and interpret project schedules and work breakdown structures (WBS). • Ability to work effectively in a team-oriented environment and collaborate with multidisciplinary project teams. • Excellent analytical, problem-solving, and communication skills. • Strong attention to detail and ability to work under pressure to meet deadlines.