Project Controls Manager

Essential Functions

• Lead and oversee all project controls functions including cost management, change management, scheduling, risk, and reporting across assigned projects.
• Provide strategic direction on cost and change control, including oversight of change order review, negotiation strategy, delay analysis, and final recommendations to senior leadership.
• Partner with Project Managers and executive stakeholders to establish and maintain project budgets, forecasts, and financial performance metrics.
• Own and manage project contingency strategy, including allocation, drawdown approvals, and reporting.
• Develop, implement, and continuously improve project controls systems, tools, and governance processes to ensure consistency and accuracy across projects.
• Lead financial forecasting, modeling, and variance analysis, providing actionable insights to drive decision-making.
• Oversee month-end close activities, accruals, journal entries, and financial reconciliations in coordination with accounting teams.
• Ensure accurate management of invoicing, payment applications, and cash flow tracking, including reporting to internal and external stakeholders.
• Direct the preparation and delivery of executive-level reporting, including monthly reports, earned value analysis, and performance dashboards.
• Establish and maintain earned value management (EVM) practices to track project performance against scope, schedule, and budget.
• Provide leadership in reviewing and validating General Contractor cost reports, including reconciliation of actual costs against GMP and Schedule of Values.
• Oversee contract administration processes, including commercial terms, retention, allowances, contingency, insurance, and incentive structures.
• Lead cost benchmarking initiatives, including development and maintenance of historical cost databases and as-built cost records.
• Ensure robust document control and project records management systems are in place and consistently followed.
• Direct and manage the project closeout process, including early planning, documentation requirements, and final turnover deliverables (warranties, as-builts, O&M manuals).
• Chair and facilitate change control, cost review, and risk management meetings, ensuring alignment and accountability across stakeholders.
• Lead risk management efforts, including maintaining risk registers, performing quantitative/qualitative analysis, and developing mitigation strategies.
• Oversee schedule performance monitoring, including analysis of actual vs. planned progress and integration with cost impacts.
• Ensure alignment with QA/QC standards and project governance requirements.
• Collaborate with cross-functional teams to standardize and enhance RFPs, SOWs, contracts, and procurement processes.
• Provide leadership in supplier and procurement coordination, including tracking proposal reviews, negotiations, contract execution, and delivery performance.
• Drive accountability for purchase order lifecycle management, including tracking, reconciliation, and closeout.
• Mentor and guide junior project controls staff, fostering a high-performance, collaborative team environment.
• Contribute to organizational excellence by supporting strategic initiatives and continuous improvement efforts.

Education

• Bachelor’s degree in Construction Management, Engineering (Structural, Mechanical, or Architectural), Cost Management, or a related technical discipline.

Experience

• 8–12+ years of progressive experience in project controls, cost management, or construction management, including demonstrated leadership or management responsibilities.
• Strong expertise in cost management, estimating, forecasting, and financial analysis across all phases of design and construction.
• Proven ability to lead project controls functions on complex, large-scale projects or programs.
• Advanced knowledge of project controls systems, EVM principles, and industry-standard estimating tools.
• Strong understanding of financial statements (P&L), contracts, and commercial management practices.
• Excellent leadership, communication, stakeholder management, and decision-making skills.
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office and relevant project controls/estimating software.