Associate Director – Project Controls
Our client is looking to appoint an experienced Associate Director to lead their growing Project Controls capability within the Infrastructure division. This is a senior leadership opportunity for someone who can combine strategic oversight, commercial management, client engagement, and operational delivery across major infrastructure programmes.
Working closely with the Director of Infrastructure, you will take responsibility for shaping the future direction of the Project Controls function, ensuring consistent delivery standards, developing teams, and driving business growth.
The Role
This position will lead the delivery and development of Project Controls services across areas such as planning, scheduling, cost management, risk, change control, reporting, and programme assurance. You will be expected to strengthen internal capability, support winning new business, and oversee successful project outcomes for key clients.
The role also carries full responsibility for the commercial performance of the Infrastructure Project Controls service line, including financial forecasting, profitability, utilisation, and pipeline growth.
Key Responsibilities
Leadership & Service Development
Drive the continued growth and improvement of the Project Controls offering across infrastructure projects.
Develop practical delivery frameworks, governance procedures, and reporting standards.
Provide technical leadership and guidance across planning, cost, risk, and change disciplines.
Act as the senior escalation point for Project Controls matters.
Commercial Management
Manage the financial performance of the service line, including budgets, forecasts, margins, and resource utilisation.
Support strategic business planning and contribute to future growth initiatives.
Monitor project performance and implement corrective actions where necessary.
Client & Programme Delivery
Lead Project Controls delivery across large and complex infrastructure programmes.
Build trusted relationships with senior client stakeholders.
Ensure reporting outputs, governance processes, and programme controls are delivered to a high standard.
Business Growth
Support business development activities and identify opportunities with existing and new clients.
Contribute to bid submissions, fee proposals, and delivery strategies.
Work collaboratively with wider PM and commercial teams to maximise cross-service opportunities.
Team Leadership
Recruit, mentor, and develop Project Controls professionals across the business.
Create a strong performance culture with clear development pathways.
Encourage collaboration, accountability, and continuous improvement within the team.
Systems & Improvement
Champion the use of industry-standard planning and controls tools such as Primavera P6.
Improve reporting efficiency and consistency through standardisation and automation.
Promote lessons learned and best practice across projects and teams.
About You
Proven experience operating at Associate Director level or within a comparable senior leadership role.
Strong background in Project Controls within infrastructure environments (nuclear, energy & power, water, transport & rail or defence.)
Experience managing financial performance and contributing to business growth.
Demonstrated success leading and developing high-performing teams.
Confident communicator with the ability to engage effectively with senior stakeholders and clients.
Why Join?
This is a genuine opportunity to take ownership of a new service line within an established infrastructure consultancy – not just delivering projects, but shaping strategy, building a team, and making a lasting impact on the business.
You'll be trusted, supported, and given the autonomy to build something meaningful, with direct access to decision-makers and the space to do things properly.
Apply: Contact Hayley Woodruff on (phone number removed) or apply with your CV to
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