Our client in the Renewable Energy sector is urgently seeking a Project Cost Controller on a
fixed term contract for 12 - 18 months (possibility of permanent retention)
. You should be willing to travel to the Northern Cape and Free State when needed.
This is a hybrid role that requires Wednesdays and Thursdays in office.
You will be working closely with the Financial Manager and Project Manager/s to manage the cost controlling function for projects for the South African business unit. The role will report to the Finance Director.
Key Responsibilities
Early Stage
Commercial Proposal Support: Collaborate with relevant internal departments to support the Business Development team during the preparation of commercial proposals. This includes active participation in commercial discussions with key stakeholders across the entire value chain and throughout various project stages.
Financial & Cost Modeling Ownership: Take full ownership of all financial inputs—including the preparation of Cost Calculations (CoCa) when required—and lead the transfer of knowledge to Business Development team members on cost calculation methodologies within the sales process context.
Project De-risking: Assist in project "de-risking" from inception, ensuring that commercial and legal terms entered across the value chain align with company standards, risk tolerances, and key financial metrics (including security packages, gross margin, contingencies, penalties, and cash flow).
Project Transition & Gate Management: Support Project Managers in transitioning projects through key development phases (e.g. moving from Gate 3 to Gate 4). This includes actively participating in the gate review process and ensuring the seamless transfer of project knowledge, risk profiles, and contingency allocations.
Project Cost Controlling
Responsible for cost controlling on PV construction projects in South Africa
Review and analysis of actuals v budgeted costs
Forecasting & Variance analysis
Liaise with project manager (s) to forecast expected future costs to completion
Prepare weekly project cash flow and liquidity forecast
Contractual Revenue claims
Review and approve weekly EPC project related expenses
Budgeting Process
Support the preparation of project cost budgets for EPC (Engineering, Procurement & Construction) tenders and support Business units on project bids.
Support in the preparation of project cash flow and liquidity forecasts for EPC and O&M tenders.
Assist on implementation and periodic update of internal controls and processes to improve projects profitability and to monitor deviations better.
Oversight of financial information to be included in any type of report; monitoring of budget and forecasting of projects, deviations, usage of contingency, variation orders etc. preparation of ad-hoc reports as it may be required by the Executive Committee from time to time.
Assist Finance Director in the preparation / update of EPC Business Plan and forecasts (P&L, Cash Flow, Guarantees) in South Africa
Reporting
Ensure timely project reporting in terms of all Local and Group reporting requirements
Ensure Management team is always aware of the current cost status of project and possible future deviations
Prepare insightful reports (to be defined) to assist Line manager and Managing Director with decision making. This could include analysis of historical pricing (with main deviations), market trends, forward pricing view, last pricing provided to the market, etc. Maintenance of a data base available to the relevant users.
Statutory/Regulatory Compliance
In collaboration with the Finance Manager, seek the necessary South African Reserve Bank approvals.
Collaborate with Finance Director on Bond Resource planning (Bank Guarantees, Parent Company Guarantees)
Other ad-hoc tasks as required
Assist with implementation of internal controls and processes