Project Controls Manager

Location: Philadelphia, PA 19104. Duration: 6+ month contract with high possibility of extension or conversion to direct hire.

About the role

The Project Controls Manager is responsible for operational coordination, technical oversight, and workforce management for all facility maintenance and work order activities at the customer site. This role merges strategic planning and frontline leadership to ensure the seamless execution of building operations, maintenance, regulatory compliance, and continuous improvement initiatives.

Reporting structure: Reports to the Customer Business Manager (Operations Director) and Customer Business Director (Managing Project Director). Directly supervises a team of approximately 10–15 Foremen and Building Operators (Local 420 Union). Collaborates with Scheduler Planner, Safety Manager, Quality Manager, contractors, customer stakeholders, and internal/external teams.

Responsibilities

• Technical & Operational Management: Oversee daily operations of site-based Foremen and union Building Operators, ensuring compliance with service level requirements and union agreements. Coordinate, process, and track all work order requests, maintenance activities, and trouble calls using CMMS/QFM and Building Automation Systems. Interpret technical drawings, schematics, operational contracts, and regulatory documents. Assign and schedule work orders, track progress, and oversee final closeout of maintenance tasks.
• Process & Compliance: Enforce site-specific union agreements, regulatory/risk management, safety, environmental, and contractual obligations. Ensure all documentation (work orders, event reports, incident investigations, closeouts) is accurate, complete, and timely. Administer preventive maintenance, asset management, facility optimization, and life cycle planning initiatives.
• Leadership & Training: Provide guidance, direction, and support to Foremen and Building Operators. Lead safety enforcement, technical and compliance training, hazard assessments, workplace inspections, and incident reporting/resolution. Foster a culture of continuous process improvement and operational excellence.
• Communication & Coordination: Act as primary point of contact for work order coordination between site staff, contractors, helpdesk, and senior leadership. Participate in and lead daily/weekly operational meetings, strategic planning sessions, and cross-functional communications. Prepare and distribute operational reports (daily, weekly, monthly).
• Emergency & Incident Management: Develop, review, and enforce emergency response procedures and disaster recovery plans. Oversee emergency training, coordinate with site staff, emergency services, and regulatory agencies.
• Inventory & Resource Management: Manage procurement, inventory, consumables, spare parts, and critical maintenance supplies. Oversee inventory audits, contractor engagements, purchase orders, and ensure stock levels and equipment maintenance.
• Planning & Financial Oversight: Create and track workforce schedules and utilization/cost data to optimize staffing and expenses. Support back-office and helpdesk functions ensuring all site contractual obligations are met.

Requirements

• Technical expertise in HVAC, plumbing, electrical, mechanical systems, BAS, CMMS/QFM.
• Strong leadership and workforce management experience for union and non-union staff.
• Excellent organization, problem-solving, and communication skills.
• Experience with regulatory compliance, QA/QC, safety management, and contract administration.
• Ability to review technical documentation, interpret contract provisions, lead process improvements, and manage teams in a unionized environment.
• High initiative; able to work independently with minimal oversight.