Head Project Controls

Head of Project Controls – High Speed Two Ltd | EKFB Main Works Civils

£122,000–£140,000 + Benefits | Next Step: Director of Project Controls – 

Location:          Milton Keynes / Central Section
Working Pattern: Typically 2 days Milton Keynes, 1 day across HS2 site offices and 2 days from home, with occasional travel to Euston
Employer:         High Speed Two (HS2) Ltd – Direct Employment
Programme:    EKFB Main Works Civils Contract

High Speed Two Programme completes 2039

The Opportunity

This is a senior leadership opportunity working directly for High Speed Two (HS2) Ltd, taking responsibility for Project Controls across the EKFB Main Works Civils Contract.

You will lead a 25–30 person Project Controls function covering Cost, Planning/Scheduling, Risk and Estimating, with four direct reports responsible for the Area Project Controls functions.

This is much more than a technical Project Controls position. HS2 is looking for a strong leader who can drive the performance of a large multidisciplinary team, provide senior-level challenge to the delivery organisation and turn complex project information into clear insight for decision-making.

Functionally reporting to the Director of Project Controls at programme level, you will work closely with the Project Director on a day-to-day basis, giving the role significant visibility across both the EKFB contract and wider HS2 programme.

Project Information – EKFB Main Works Civils

The £4.2bn+ EKFB Main Works Civils Contract is responsible for approximately 80km of HS2's largely rural railway, including 15 viaducts, 81 bridges, 6.9km of green tunnels and approximately 30 million cubic metres of excavation.

The importance of this section has increased significantly following the HS2 programme reset, with the central section forming part of the programme's designated Core Test Area.

The Core Test Area is a priority section where HS2 is seeking to bring infrastructure together, commence testing and commissioning and validate the railway as an integrated system. As a result, successful delivery of EKFB has become a critical linchpin for the wider HS2 programme.

This creates a particularly high-profile environment for Project Controls, bringing cost, schedule, risk, productivity, quantities, performance and assurance together across one of the programme's most important delivery areas.

The Role

You will Lead the overall Project Controls function across the EKFB Main Works Civils Contract. Lead approximately 30 Project Controls professionals through four direct-report Area Project Controls leads. Set objectives, standards and expectations across Cost, Planning, Risk and Estimating, Drive team performance, consistency and continuous improvement.

• Work closely with the Project Director to provide an integrated view of project performance.
• Align project controls with the wider HS2 programme and Director of Project Controls.
• Own the integration of cost, schedule, risk, change and performance information.
• Challenge project and contractor performance using robust data and evidence.
• Lead baseline management, forecasting and performance reporting.
• Lead baseline and performance management updates, including contract integrations of up to £3bn.
• Oversee Earned Value Management (EVM) reporting and performance analysis.
• Lead the collection and interrogation of weekly quantities and productivity information.
• Present performance updates to senior executives and programme-level governance forums.
• Ensure Project Controls operates effectively within HS2's lines of assurance and governance.
• Manage the interface between HS2, EKFB and the wider supply chain.
• Ensure NEC3/NEC4 contractual requirements are appropriately reflected within Project Controls.
• Work closely with Commercial, Delivery, Engineering and Programme teams to identify emerging issues.
• Identify trends, interdependencies and emerging risks and ensure they are appropriately escalated.
• Support annual funding, forecasting and programme-planning requirements within a publicly funded environment.

What We're Looking For

You are likely to bring:

• Proven experience leading large Project Controls teams.
• Strong experience across Cost, Planning/Scheduling, Risk, Estimating, Change and Performance Management.
• Major project delviery experience within a publicly funded or heavily regulated environment.
• Experience from major rail, infrastructure, aviation, nuclear or similarly complex programmes.
• Strong understanding of NEC3 and/or NEC4 contracts.
• Proven experience with EVM and integrated performance reporting.
• Experience presenting complex Project Controls information to Board, Executive or senior programme-level stakeholders.
• Strong understanding of project governance, assurance and formal reporting structures.
• Experience working across Client, Contractor and Consultancy environments would be particularly valuable.

Relevant backgrounds could include HS2, Crossrail, Thames Tideway, HS1, major airport programmes, Hinkley Point C, Sizewell C or other major regulated infrastructure programmes.

Experience with Primavera P6, EVM systems and other major-project controls platforms would also be highly relevant.

Career Progression

This role offers a genuine opportunity to develop towards Director of Project Controls level within HS2.

The current Director-level position sits at approximately £170,000–£200,000 + executive package, providing a clear progression route for an exceptional Head of Project Controls who can demonstrate strong leadership, programme-level thinking and the ability to operate effectively within HS2's complex governance environment.

With the scale and longevity of the HS2 programme, there is significant scope for high-performing leaders to develop their careers internally and take on increasing levels of responsibility.

Why This Opportunity?

You will be leading a substantial Project Controls function on a £4.2bn+ major civils contract, while working on a section of HS2 that has become strategically important to the wider programme through its designation as part of the Core Test Area.

For an established Senior Project Controls Manager, Project Controls Lead or Head of Project Controls, this represents an opportunity to take genuine ownership of a major function, operate alongside senior HS2 leadership and build towards Director-level responsibility within one of Britain's most significant infrastructure programmes.