To cover a growing portfolio of contracts, we require a Project Controller to support the Project Support Office (PSO) function across various local authority frameworks. The successful applicant will manage Project Controls tasks on allocated projects and report to the Contract Manager. The role will be primarily based in Bristol but will involve some travel to our other offices in the South West and nationwide.

The Role

As a team, the PSO is responsible for improving and evolving practices and processes, both adopting lessons learnt approach and challenging conventional ways of operating, with the ultimate goal to contribute to the excellent delivery, commercial and operational performance of our projects. This is a fast paced and demanding environment as the team work to short project cycles to facilitate monthly internal reporting deadlines, as well as being subject to the demands placed on the team by our clients’ requirements.

You will act as the intrinsic link between the Project Management, Commercial, Financial and Contract Management teams and provide the co-ordination to allow these teams to operate cohesively and consistently. You will play a key role in executing and improving all project management processes to ensure robust and efficient project delivery, with reference to the Atkins Business Management System.

Requirements

Essential

• Previous experience of working in a project support role, supporting a project manager/director or team;
• Ability to work independently and to prioritise tasks;
• Good understanding and demonstrable experience of relevant project management suites and astute in commercial / financial procedures;
• Sound Microsoft Office skills, particularly Excel;
• Excellent communication and numeracy skills;
• Ability to research information and data independently and ability to find solutions to complex problems;
• Sound interpersonal skills with the ability to converse with a wide range of clients and colleagues across a number of disciplines;
• A willingness to work flexibly from other office locations as required.

Desirable

• Experience of working within the transportation consultancy industry for key clients, e.g. Local Authorities, Highways England, Network Rail, Developers and/or major Contractors;
• Project management accreditation (APM);
• Client engagement experience;
• Experience of ORACLE-type online management tools or similar, although full training will be provided
• Experience of working with remote teams to deliver common goals.

Responsibilities

Technical

• Performing and delivering allocated project tasks, as directed by your Project or Contract Manager;
• Assisting in tracking project costs and producing finance reports, identifying any anomalies or opportunities for savings or efficiency improvements through better management;
• Ensuring accurate and timely invoicing is carried out;
• Ensuring compliance with the business’ Project Management Framework;
• Maintaining databases and spreadsheets as directed by your Project or Contract Manager, for the purposes of project control;
• Prompting Project Managers / Project Directors for timely inputs to the finance reports and the project management reports;
• Prompting for customer feedback forms, inputs to the Lessons Learnt database;
• Assisting preparation of management reporting;
• Preparing document templates to a professional standard, giving guidance where necessary on the Stage Gate, as per Atkins processes and Project Management Processes (full training to be provided);
• Overseeing commercial operation from pipeline management to final accounts, preparation of reports and specifications for sub-contractor agreements.

People

• Working with and supporting global, multi-disciplinary delivery teams;
• Developing the PSO function within the Atkins Global Design Centre (GDC).

Stakeholder

• Maintaining and developing excellent professional relationships which can secure repeat business;
• Presenting to clients and key stakeholders in a professional, responsive and client-focused manner;
• Client, programme and financial management of projects.

Management

• Assisting with / preparing fee offers for agreement with the client;
• Assisting the Contract Manager on day to day contractual tasks as appropriate;
• Checking / reviewing the project team proposals;
• Working collaboratively across the Atkins Group.

ATKINS, part of the SNC Lavalin Group, is committed to having a diverse and inclusive workforce. As an Equal Opportunities Employer, we value applications from all backgrounds, cultures and ability.

This role may require security clearance and offers of employment will be dependent on obtaining the relevant level of clearance. If this is necessary it will be discussed with you at interview.

If applying to this role please do not make reference to (in conversation) or include in your application or CV, details of any current or previously held security clearance