Project Controls Lead

The Project Controls Lead is a member of Global Engineering and Real Estate’s Capital Projects (Project Services) function. The role involves providing project controls leadership and hands-on support especially to Qingdao PMDI project in the coming years, along with contributing to business process management in aspects of project controls. Reports to Regional Project Controls Lead.

Typical Accountabilities

• Responsible for project controls implementation and leadership, typically on a large project or collection of smaller projects, ensuring AstraZeneca requirements are adhered to throughout the project lifecycle
• Provide proactive communication to ensure GERE leadership (Project Services and Project Execution) is appraised of trends on the project
• Establish and maintain project controls service level agreements, responsibility matrices etc. providing clarity over responsibilities amongst internal and external resources
• Responsible for the development of, and approve, project control plans and procedures covering all facets of project controls (schedule, cost, cashflow, risk, change and reporting). Leverage third-party providers and their work processes wherever practicable
• Lead the project controls team and produce all project control deliverables and reports on a periodic basis, including but not limited to cost reports, cash flow, change logs & process, risk registers and other items as defined within the Project Controls & Project Management Plans
• Responsible for the VOWD and cashflow forecast update on the project and liaise with AstraZeneca business operation team and Finance team for clarity
• Implement project controls training and workshops for project management team, state agent and/or contractor on the project
• Ensure all project services documents are organized, maintained and project audit-ready.
• Lead the administration of project financials until project financial close-out and H2 signoff.
• Lead and/or participate in interactive planning sessions, ensuring any outputs including ongoing visual performance management tools are in place and accessible for all appropriate persons
• Ensure schedule risk analysis and management is appropriately implemented along with schedule reserve management processes. Facilitate risk identification and evaluation sessions where appropriate vs. use of external resources.
• Develop and maintain accurate staffing plans for the project(s) to ensure right-sized teams and timely mobilisation, coordinating with the Regional Project Controls Lead for any new demands
• Review key project control deliverables ahead of submission for periodic reporting purposes to ensure accurate and meaningful data is provided. Provide comment and recommendations for corrective actions where appropriate
• Liaise with AstraZeneca Finance and/or other stakeholders as required to ensure project performance data is open, transparent and supports corporate requirements
• Interface with QD government counterpart as required to support cashflow and cost reporting in line with government requirements
• Support the procurement process, working pre-contract with AstraZeneca Procurement resources as required
• Coordinate with estimating resources in respect of funding requests etc. and take responsibility for ‘on time in full’ project controls stage-gate documentation for internal governance / funding decisions
• When requested, provide input to Sponsor and/or Program teams on behalf of the project(s)
• Work with others to establish and implement quality assurance measures for project controls tasks and deliverables
• Ensure appropriate onboarding of third-party project controls organisations into AZ systems and tools
• Contribute to lessons learned exercise throughout the course of the project and lead project controls-related ones as may be required based on events which occur on the project
• Ensure completion of project data capture forms are completed in a timely manner per requirements
• Actively support and take ownership in key parts of the development and implementation of the Project Services Operating Model including procedures, tools and templates.
• Lead and take responsibility for special projects and initiatives to support the organisation, as assigned.

Education, Qualifications, Skills and Experience

Essential

• Engineering, construction management or equivalent degree
• Appropriate experience and knowledge in project control, planning and/or construction management
• Awareness of cost and schedule quantitative risk analysis
• Training or some experience of scheduling software e.g. Primavera, Microsoft Project etc.
• Excellent interpersonal and communications skills. Able to work effectively with multiple project and management teams
• Proven team player, willing to consider and accept other views and concepts in reaching critical decisions
• Able to manage service providers for delivery of project controls services
• Able to perform work as required on project sites or at contractor office locations. Can support business travel if required
• Demonstrated record of delivering services for relevant project sizes and complexities

Desirable

• Bio-pharmaceutical experience & knowledge
• International project experience
• Professional accreditation in field of expertise
• Hands-on experience of quantitative risk analysis
• Understanding of estimating practices

AstraZeneca embraces diversity and equality of opportunity. We are committed to building an inclusive and diverse team representing all backgrounds, with as wide a range of perspectives as possible, and harnessing industry-leading skills. We believe that the more inclusive we are, the better our work will be. We welcome and consider applications to join our team from all qualified candidates, regardless of their characteristics. We comply with all applicable laws and regulations on non-discrimination in employment (and recruitment), as well as work authorisation and employment eligibility verification requirements.