Cost Controller

What’s On Offer

• Optional 9-day fortnight I Career growth opportunities.
• 12 Month Max Term Contract
• ASX-Listed company I Global shipbuilder
• Salary Sacrificing, Novated Leasing, Retailer discount, EAP, Insurance discounts.

The Opportunity

This is an exciting opportunity for a Cost Controller 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 Cairns, QLD, you’ll report to the Cost Controls Manager and work closely with the Project Finance team. Your role involves performing all Cost Control activities to ensure assigned Defence vessel programs meet our valued clients’ expectations.

As part of Austal’s sustainment program, this role is responsible for delivering Cost Controls for multiple projects and delivery streams required for Defence vessel in-service support and maintenance programs. The Cost Controller is responsible to enable effective and efficient budgeting, forecasting, and reporting of project performance metrics in line with program and project schedules to reduce risk and optimise financial performance.

What’s Involved

• Develop and setup Project Budget from approved estimate and define project scope.
• Control project budgets by developing budget forecasts, 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.
• Coordinate with project managers and other project stakeholders to gather and verify project progress and actual disbursement.
• Collaborate with project managers and other team members to optimize resource allocation.
• Generate regular project status reports to review cost performance, including EAC forecasts, and facilitate data-driven decision-making among project teams, stakeholders, and management.
• Track changes to project scope and budget, by assessing impacts, obtaining approvals, utilising control processes, and ensuring changes are properly documented and communicated to stakeholders to meet contractual outcomes.
• In conjunction with Cost Controls, conduct: Preparation of Target Cost Estimate (TCE) and Escalation calculations; and Financial True-Ups to support annual contractual requirements
• Identify and recommend cost-saving opportunities.
• 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 Cost Controls Manager and internal and external stakeholders to identify and develop improvement opportunities, remediate legacy issues by incorporating lessons learned.

You’ll need

Essential

• Intermediate competency in Microsoft Excel for data analysis and reporting
• Hold a construction safety induction (white card)
• Excellent communication, negotiation, and proven stakeholder management ability
• Strong customer focus and commercial acumen

Desirable

• Qualification in Cost Management and/or Project Management
• Degree in Engineering, Commerce, Business, Project Management, or related field.
• Professional certifications (e.g., PMI, AACE, PSP, PMP).
• Hands-on experience with ERP and data management software such as SAP, IFS etc.

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.

Our global team is guided by a universal set of values that describe the focus of our efforts. Our goal is for all our decisions and actions to reflect these core values. We believe that putting our values into practice creates the greatest benefits for our shareholders, customers, employees, suppliers, and communities in which we serve.

Excellence – Customer Focus – Integrity – Team Work

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.