Project Cost Controller

The Project Cost Controller within AFNORD’s Project Management Office (PMO) is responsible for establishing, monitoring, and reporting on the financial performance of projects throughout their lifecycle. The role ensures that project budgets, forecasts, and expenditures are properly controlled and aligned with AFNORD’s governance framework, client expectations, and contractual commitments. Operating as part of the PMO, the Project Cost Controller provides visibility on cost performance, supports risk-informed decision-making, and drives financial discipline across engineering, procurement, and construction phases. Key Responsibilities • Develop and maintain project cost control systems, budgets, and cost breakdown structures (CBS) in accordance with PMO procedures. • Support the Project Manager and PMO leadership in preparing baseline budgets, forecasts, and financial KPIs. • Monitor commitments, actual expenditures, accruals, and forecasts to ensure accurate cost tracking and reporting. • Provide variance and trend analysis, identifying potential deviations and proposing corrective actions. • Prepare and maintain monthly cost reports, cash flow forecasts, and earned value analysis (EVA) summaries. • Support the change management process, including cost impact assessments, budget adjustments, and control of approved variations. • Coordinate with planning, procurement, and contracts teams to maintain cost-time integration (CTC). • Participate in project reviews, presenting cost status, forecasts, and financial risks to PMO and senior management. • Ensure all cost data is traceable, auditable, and compliant with AFNORD’s project governance and financial control standards. • Collaborate with contractors and suppliers to validate progress payment applications and invoice verifications. • Maintain cost-related documentation for project closeout, ensuring alignment with contractual and accounting requirements. Required Qualifications & Experience • Bachelor’s or Master’s degree in Finance, Engineering, Project Management, or a related discipline. • Minimum 5–8 years of experience in cost control or project controls within EPC or client-side project environments. • Strong understanding of project lifecycle phases, including engineering, procurement, construction, and commissioning. • Proficiency with cost control and reporting tools, such as Primavera Cost Manager, EcoSys, or advanced Excel-based models. • Familiarity with earned value management (EVM) principles and their application in project performance tracking. • Experience interfacing with planning (schedule), contracts, and procurement teams to ensure cost accuracy and integration. • Knowledge of contract types (LSTK, Reimbursable, EPCM) and their cost implications. • Strong analytical skills with attention to detail and a proactive problem-solving mindset. • Excellent communication and presentation skills in English; Swedish proficiency is an advantage. Desirable Attributes • Experience in data center, industrial, or infrastructure project environments. • Exposure to portfolio-level reporting or multi-project cost governance. • Familiarity with Power BI or other business intelligence tools for cost visualization and dashboard reporting. • Understanding of risk-based cost forecasting and contingency management. • Certification such as AACE CCP, PMP, or PMI-SP is advantageous. Key Interfaces • Project Managers and PMO Project Controls Team • Planning, Procurement, and Contracts Functions • Finance and Accounting Departments • EPC Contractors and Subconsultants • Client Representatives and Auditors Performance Indicators • Accuracy and timeliness of cost reports and forecasts • Quality of variance, trend, and change impact analysis • Compliance with AFNORD PMO cost control procedures and reporting standards • Effectiveness in identifying and mitigating cost risks • Contribution to maintaining budget adherence and financial transparency