Principal Cost Management | Chile or Australia
BHPJobsCloseBy Editorial Insights
BHP is seeking a Principal Cost Management to provide independent cost assurance across its capital projects within the Project Execution Review function. Reporting to the Head of Cost Management & Risk, the role supports EPRs for projects above US$250m and peer reviews for large studies. You will identify optimism bias, root causes of forecast drift, and risks while communicating with project directors and executives. The ideal candidate has a degree in engineering, quantity surveying or finance, cost management experience on complex programs, professional accreditation desirable. To apply, tailor your CV to highlight forecasting excellence, EPR/IPR experience, measurable cost outcomes, stakeholder influence, and willingness to travel to Australia; BHP values diversity.
About BHP
At BHP we support our people to grow, learn, develop their skills and reach their potential. With a global portfolio of operations, we offer a diverse and inclusive environment with extraordinary career opportunities. Our strategy is to focus on creating a safe work environment where our employees feel strongly connected to our values and objectives, and where the capability of our people is key to our success.
Come and be a part of this success.
About the Role
The Principal Cost Management role sits within the Project Execution Review (PER) function and provides independent, enterprise-level cost assurance across BHP’s major capital projects portfolio.
Reporting to the Head of Cost Management & Risk, this role plays a critical part in providing senior leaders with confidence in project cost performance, forecast integrity, and risk exposure. The role contributes to Execution Phase Reviews (EPRs) greater than US$250 million and, where delegated, Definition Phase Study (DPS) Independent Peer Reviews (IPRs) for projects typically greater than US$100 million, including mega projects approved by the Global Investment Review Committee (GIRC).
This role requires a senior cost professional who can operate credibly with project directors, functional leaders, and executive stakeholders, while retaining the technical depth to identify optimism bias, embedded risk, and systemic weaknesses in cost forecasts.
Purpose of the Role
To provide independent technical expertise across all aspects of cost management, supporting Project Execution Reviews. On behalf of the GIRC, the role assures the integrity, transparency, and delivery confidence of project cost positions. Where deviations are identified, the role continues the work to determine root causes and recommend actions to remedy or, where not possible, mitigate the impacts. This work enables Project Leadership to make high-quality decisions across the capital portfolio.
Key Accountabilities
Execution Phase Reviews (EPRs)
- Contribute to the planning and delivery of structured, risk-based Project Execution Reviews and the selection of Independent Peer Reviews (IPRs).
- Prepare test plans for cost elements and work with project teams to identify and source relevant artefacts to enable high-quality reviews.
- Review and assure project cost forecasts, including accuracy of costs to go, approved and unapproved trends, growth allowances, and contingency.
- Investigate root causes where cost deviations are likely or possible.
- Evaluate cost management ways of working to ensure all project aspects are captured within cost controls.
- Prepare the cost section of EPR reports and functional findings for IPRs, with broader contributions to portfolio-level summary reporting.
Cost Assurance & Insight
- Diagnose root causes of cost forecast erosion, optimism bias, and estimate drift where deterioration is possible.
- Work with project teams to shape recovery plans that eliminate or mitigate cost risks.
- Assess alignment between cost, schedule, and risk narratives.
- Support the development of credible mitigation and remedial actions.
Enterprise Value & Continuous Improvement
- Translate review insights into portfolio-level themes and emerging risks.
- Support the Head of Cost Management and Risk in improving cost management standards, tools, and routines in partnership with the Project Centre of Excellence (PCoE).
- Strengthen enterprise-wide cost discipline and transparency.
Stakeholder Engagement
- Build trusted and constructive relationships with project teams and senior stakeholders.
- Communicate complex cost issues clearly, confidently, and with appropriate influence.
About You
You are a highly experienced cost professional with deep exposure to large, complex capital projects and the confidence to provide independent challenge in senior forums.
You will bring:
- Substantial experience in project cost management and forecasting.
- Proven exposure to major capital projects (typically greater than US$250 million).
- Strong analytical capability and structured problem-solving skills.
- Ability to identify systemic cost weaknesses and emerging risks.
- Confidence engaging with senior project and executive leaders.
- High professional integrity and sound judgment.
Qualifications & Experience
- Degree in Engineering, Quantity Surveying, Finance, or a related discipline.
- Professional accreditation (AACE, AIQS, RICS, or equivalent) desirable.
- Experience in mining, energy, infrastructure, or similarly complex capital environments highly regarded.
\Why Join Project Execution Review?
- Influence outcomes across an approximately US$25 billion global capital portfolio.
- Operate within a high-credibility, independent assurance function.
- Work at the intersection of project execution, governance, and executive decision-making.
- Collaborate with senior specialists across estimating, scheduling, delivery, and commissioning.
- Make enterprise-level impact beyond individual projects.
Location & Mobility
This role has a global remit and will require travel aligned to review activities.
About Our Process
At BHP, we are committed to employing individuals who align with the BHP Charter Values and meet the requirements of the role. As part of the recruitment process, there are a number of checks which may be conducted to demonstrate applicants suitability for a role including police / criminal background checks, medical, drug and alcohol testing, due diligence checks, right to work checks, and/or reference checks.
If you are already employed directly by BHP, please log in using your BHP email address or apply via our internal jobs portal.
Supporting a Diverse Workforce
The size, stability and magnitude of our business not only provides significant opportunity for professional development, but also attractive salary packages with performance-based bonuses and a best-in-class employee share program. We know there are many aspects of our employees' lives that are important, and work is only one of these, so we offer benefits to enable your work to fit with your life. These benefits include flexible working options, a generous paid parental leave policy, other extended leave entitlements and parent rooms.
At BHP, we know that we are strengthened by diversity. We are an Equal Opportunity employer that is committed to making BHP a safe and inclusive workplace where everyone can thrive and be at their best every day. We are focused on creating a workforce that’s more diverse and represents the communities where we work and live. providing a work environment in which everyone is included, treated fairly and with respect. We are an Equal Opportunity employer and recognise that true diversity includes gender, age, race, disability status, sexual orientation, religion, neurodiversity, education levels, and many more aspects of your identity.
BHP is committed to providing a recruitment process that is fair, equitable and accessible for all. If you have a disability, we know that it may be helpful for us to adjust our process to make it equitable for your individual situation. If you would like to reach out to someone about your situation and our recruitment process, please email us at [email protected].