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About SA Water

SA Water is a successful, modern water utility wholly owned by the Government of South Australia. We employ more than 1,700 people across a broad range of disciplines who operate more than $14 billion worth of infrastructure to deliver essential water and sewerage services to more than 1.8 million South Australians.

With operations and offices across the state, our strength and expertise have been shaped by our history. For more than 165 years, South Australians have depended on us to innovate and deliver efficient and sustainable water services. With nationally and internationally recognised industry expertise, we’re focused on understanding and meeting our customers’ expectations.

As well as safely delivering smart and reliable services for our customers of today, we innovate to shape the water solutions of the future that will support thriving economies and healthy communities.

We are driven by our values; we value our people, we do work that matters, we keep it real, we know that our work has impact, and we are future focussed. Staying true to our values ensures that we consistently deliver positive outcomes for all South Australians.

About the job  

We are seeking an experienced Senior Project Cost Controller to play a critical role in supporting the successful delivery of a diverse capital portfolio within our Sustainable Infrastructure business. This role provides expert leadership in cost control, cost management, contract/variation management, risk based contingency management and related reporting, and change control across multiple complex projects and programs.

You will partner closely with Project and Program Managers, delivery teams, and senior stakeholders to ensure robust financial governance, accurate forecasting, disciplined cost control, and continuous improvement of systems and processes.

About the Person

You are a commercially minded Senior Project Cost Controller with experience supporting complex major infrastructure projects. You bring a strong understanding of contract and project scope, and how effective scope definition underpins robust cost control, forecasting, and change management.

You have proven capability in baseline management, establishing and maintaining cost and schedule baselines that align with approved scope and budget. You understand how to integrate budgets, commitments, forecasts, and actuals to ensure accurate financial control and reporting.

Additional responsibilities include:

• Lead Cost Control Across Major Projects by providing expert leadership in cost control, financial governance, and internal controls across major capital projects, ensuring alignment between scope, budget, commitments, and actual costs.
• Manage Baselines, Forecasting, and Risk by establishing and maintaining cost and schedule baselines, ensuring forecasts are risk‑based, contingency is aligned to risk registers, and approved scope changes are accurately reflected.
• Provide Expert Commercial and Contract Advice support to Project and Program Managers with expert analysis of contractor claims, variations, and change control to protect commercial and financial outcomes.
• Drive Accurate Financial Reporting and Capitalisation reporting accuracy through robust accruals, cost tracking, and compliance with accounting standards, supporting timely and accurate asset capitalisation.
• Deliver Insightful Reporting and Analysis on cost, schedule, and risk data across complex projects to identify trends, emerging issues, and corrective actions, informing confident management decision‑making.
• Improve Capability, Systems, and Ways of Working in cost management processes, systems, and reporting, while coaching and influencing teams to strengthen commercial and business acumen.

Your success in this role will come from: 

• Tertiary qualification in Infrastructure Cost Management, Business or a related discipline, or demonstrated equivalent professional experience.
• Proven applied business analysis skills within a multi‑project or portfolio environment, supporting informed financial and commercial decision‑making.
• Strong cost control, cost management or project controls experience, ideally within major projects, capital programs, or complex delivery environments.
• High level of computer and reporting capability, particularly across the Microsoft Office suite, with the ability to analyse and present complex data clearly.
• Demonstrated ability to communicate with influence, build strong stakeholder relationships, and lead conversations involving new or changed processes.
• Ability to operate effectively with limited supervision, showing initiative, accountability, and sound professional judgement in complex environments.

Further information can be found in the attached PD – PD_Cost Control Senior.docx

To apply, click 'Apply'. Please submit and complete the application form, upload a cover letter and current resume, by 5:00PM 28h of April. For enquiries, please contact Gregg Forte from the Talent Acquisition team on Gregg.forte@sawater.com.au

A great customer experience is best achieved by having a diverse and inclusive team that reflects the community we serve. Applications are encouraged from everyone, including people living with disability, job seekers of all ages, members of the LGBTIQA+ community, Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples, and people from culturally diverse backgrounds. 

Our Industry is like no other. Dive into the wonderful world of water and explore the boundless opportunities. Learn more about the water industry at careersinwater.com.au

Please note: We request that recruitment agencies do not submit candidates for this position, as they will not be accepted.