Cost Controller

About the employer

CPB Contractors is part of the CIMIC Group and operates as a major international construction contractor. Its projects span Australia, New Zealand, and Papua New Guinea, covering major areas of the construction industry such as roads, rail, tunnelling, defence, and building.

The company’s purpose is to deliver sustainable value for shareholders by completing projects for clients, while creating safe, meaningful, and rewarding careers for its people. It looks for team members who are capable, driven, disciplined, and committed to a strong work ethic.

Project overview

This opportunity sits within a Defence project in regional Western Australia. The program will run for more than two years and involves substantial upgrades to airfield asphalt pavements along with associated infrastructure assets.

Role summary

An experienced Cost Controller is required to support the project team with cost analysis, reporting, and financial control activities. The role focuses on comparing estimated and actual costs for self-perform works, reviewing cost data in JDE and Rover, identifying patterns to support engineering decisions, preparing earned value analysis for work packages, managing cost journals, and completing end-of-month reporting and accruals.

The role is best suited to someone with a background in cost control, particularly across civil engineering, subcontracted work, and self-delivered work on major construction projects.

Key responsibilities

• Produce accurate, timely cost reports, including forecasts and variance reviews, while working closely with budget owners, area managers, and project teams.
• Match weekly wage and plant spend to the correct JDE cost codes, including CPB wages, plant costs, Rover hours, and CDRs.
• Set up and maintain contract rates in Rover for all resource categories, ensuring alignment with contract rate schedules and site rosters.
• Work with Project Engineers, Accounts, and Area Managers to address inconsistencies, support budgeting activity, and provide further cost analysis where needed.
• Support strong cost management by tracking expenditure, contributing to project reviews, sharing financial insights, and improving cost control practices.

Minimum requirements

• Demonstrated experience in a Cost Controller role, preferably on a large construction project.
• A degree in Quantity Surveying or a closely related discipline.
• Strong numerical and computer literacy, with solid use of Microsoft Office applications, including Word, Excel, and PowerPoint.
• High attention to detail and the ability to spot and investigate discrepancies.
• Good understanding of cost control principles, estimating, and budgeting processes.
• Competence with cost management systems and tools such as Power BI, Excel, and other specialised software.
• Strong analytical ability, with experience in forecasting and reporting on financial performance.
• Well-developed stakeholder management skills and confidence in leading conversations about project costs.
• Exposure to Defence and airfield project delivery will be considered an advantage.
• Must be able to satisfy Department of Defence security clearance requirements (DCAC).

Eligibility and inclusion

Applications are encouraged from Indigenous Peoples, women, LGBTQ+ candidates, mature workers, veterans, active-duty armed forces personnel, people with disabilities, and individuals from diverse cultural backgrounds.

The company also holds the Workplace Gender Equality Agency citation as an Employer of Choice for Gender Equality.

Benefits

• A career environment that supports learning, development, training, and internal progression.
• Opportunities across multiple construction sectors, creating pathways for future career growth.
• Competitive pay and a strong benefits package, including a health and wellbeing program, discount portal, and company-funded salary continuance insurance.
• Flexible working arrangements and a workplace culture that values diversity and innovation.

Additional information

This position is being recruited directly by CPB Contractors. Applications from external recruitment agencies will not be accepted.