Lead Project Controls Specialist - Cost - 90373866 - New York/Philadelphia

About the role

The individual in this role will manage and execute cost engineering and control activities for capital construction within Amtrak's Major Power Portfolio. Under general direction from the Project Controls Manager and the Project Manager, the Lead Project Controls Specialist Cost analyzes cost performance, develops estimates, creates and manages budgets, and liaises frequently with Amtrak's Capital Finance Team. This position supports attainment of department or project-specific goals and outcomes through the delivery of project control services, ensuring close alignment between project control staff and project management team(s).

Responsibilities

• Serve as Lead Cost Control Specialist, responsible for analyzing, developing, maintaining, controlling and reporting project design and construction cost, forecasts and expenditures. These forecasts include analyses of project cash flow, commitment plans, and funding in accordance with grant and funding contribution agreements.
• Assure compliance with department and enterprise practices on project budgeting, forecasting, scheduling, change management, cost controlling, and related project-specific requirements.
• Support maintenance of department policies and procedures on project cost control, cost control tools and techniques, work breakdown structures, risk management, contingency determination, management and draw-down, and earned value management. Incorporate the best current practices used in the construction and transportation industries.
• Perform monthly analysis and report cost performance, develop "bottom-up" forecasts on a rotating basis to evaluate performance against Total Life of Project Cost and Schedule.
• Provide detailed analysis to project team to improve project performance and forecasting as well as to Capital Finance team to support corporate reporting and grants management.
• Collect project performance data such as installed quantities, expended labor and other progress measurements from enterprise tools and/or project management staff to assess project/portfolio cost performance.
• Maintain reporting mechanisms, dashboards, and presentations about project performance indicators and feed this data to ensure a cohesive picture of project's contribution to the project and/or portfolio.
• Assist in development of annual operating plan, including working closely with project managers to estimate costs for upcoming fiscal year as well as out years. Work with Capital Finance to refine plan as necessary.
• Oversee administration of department budget, including managing off cycle reprogramming requests for new or adjusted funding on projects and preparation and/or approval of purchase requisitions.
• Work with Project Management team to develop and submit Change Requests to adjust the fiscal plan or annual AOP.
• Perform investigations such as market analysis, visits to the field, and interviews of delivery staff (e.g., engineers, superintendents, construction managers), to understand construction means and methods to develop cost estimates.
• Participate in risk evaluation sessions or preconstruction reviews and ensure risks are documented and assessed in terms of probability and impact to enable project team to develop risk mitigation plans and contingencies (schedule & cost).

Requirements

• Bachelor's Degree or equivalent combination of education, training and/or relevant experience.
• Plus 6 years of relevant work experience.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's or higher degree in Science, Engineering, or Construction Management.
• Plus 8 years of relevant work experience.
• Three years of capital construction controls experience in the rail industry, oil and gas, energy, or pharmaceutical industry.
• One or more of the following certifications / credentials: PSP, CEP, EVP, or CCP (AACE); EVMP; PMP (PMI).
• Experience with SAP, Masterworks, Maximo, Procore, and P6 Scheduling Software.

Skills

• Past job experience in project/program controls.
• Knowledge of principles and practices of construction project management through all phases of construction project lifecycle.
• Ability to implement/organize construction project performance metrics, performance analysis, dashboards and progress reports.
• Understanding of project financial reporting, forecasting, analysis and monitoring capital project / program / portfolio funding.
• Familiarity with tools, techniques, and procedures related to project schedule management, control and forecasting in large and/or complex capital construction projects.
• Applied knowledge of statistical analysis methods.
• Knowledge of project risk management principles, practices, standards and methods.
• Advanced Excel, PowerPoint, and PowerBI skills.
• Experience using Maximo to collect labor reports.
• Excellent written and oral communication skills to communicate complex information clearly and concisely.
• Ability to work diplomatically across teams with varying objectives.

Work environment

Office environment; 4 days in the office, 1 day remote. Exposure to computer screens. May require maintaining physical condition necessary for sitting, walking or standing for prolonged periods of time. Travel: up to 25%.

Pay

The salary/hourly range is $94,300.00 – $122,256.00. Pay is based on several factors including but not limited to education, work experience, certifications, etc. Depending on an employee's assigned worksite or location, Amtrak may consider a geo-pay differential to be applied to the employee's base salary. Amtrak may offer additional incentive and pay programs to recognize and reward employees, including a short-term incentive bonus based upon factors such as individual and company performance that is commensurate with the level of the position.

Benefits

• Health, Dental, and Vision Insurance
• 401K with Employer Match
• Generous Paid Time Off
• Wellness Programs
• Railroad Retirement Benefits
• Paid Caregiving Days and Backup Care
• Health Savings Account
• Public Service Student Loan Forgiveness
• Fertility and Family Building Benefits
• No-cost Personal Health Advocate
• Student Loan Assistance
• Adoption and Surrogacy Assistance
• Medical Plan Opt-out Credit
• Tuition and Education Reimbursement
• Paid Family Leave
• Life Insurance
• Rail Pass Privileges
• Short- and Long-term Disability Insurance
• Employee Assistance Program
• No-cost Financial Advisor Sessions
• Commuter and Flexible Spending Accounts

Requisition ID: 167540. Work arrangement: onsite 4/5 days per week. Relocation not offered. Travel up to 25%.