Project Controls Specialist – Cost Analyst

3-year contract with a potential for extension in Charlotte, NC. Candidates must be legally authorized to work in the United States and able to sit on Primary Talent Partners W2 without sponsorship.

About the role

This position is responsible for initiating and completing routine aspects of project control assignments, using prescribed methods and tools. The role performs complex project forecasting, cost alignment to schedules, cost analysis, variance analysis, budgeting, trending, burn rates, change control, and cost control, reporting up to program or portfolio level. This position supports Project Managers on varying size projects with minimal oversight and is considered a technical SME/support role requiring college-level reasoning via formal education or work experience. It requires working knowledge to proficient use, understanding, and application of project controls principles, procedures, and associated software tools. The role must identify problems, develop solutions, and take actions to resolve them, as well as adeptly use unfamiliar software and work with large, complex data files. Advanced to expert-level experience in Excel is required.

Responsibilities

• Generate periodic project controls reports (monthly, quarterly, and ad-hoc).
• Gather, verify, validate, and analyze data in support of project controls reporting.
• Distribute and archive project controls reports as appropriate.
• Perform Change Control: track and manage changes to project scope and cost baseline. Identify, assess, gain approval for, and distribute change requests, change notices, and/or change orders compliant with internal governance standards and contract terms.
• Assist in scheduling and carrying out benchmarking and self-assessment initiatives relevant to project controls. Identify and communicate improvement opportunities, adoption of best practices, and countermeasures to address performance gaps.
• Maintain cost estimates, track and trend cash flow reports, change control documentation, and other project controls reports. Track and report project status, perform variance and data analyses.
• Create and maintain project estimates in collaboration with Estimator(s), ensuring inclusion of all necessary materials, resource/labor rates, manufactured materials/equipment, and current industry data relative to project scope. Manage the estimate according to Project Management Center of Excellence Estimating Standard and review cycle.
• Maintain effective relationships with customers, support resolution of quality issues, and complete assignments as negotiated. Display proficiency in conflict resolution and reaching win-win outcomes among team members.

Qualifications

• Associate’s Degree in Engineering, Project Management, Finance, or Business AND 2 years minimum related experience.
• In lieu of degree: High School/GED AND 5 years minimum related experience.

Skills

• Advanced to expert-level experience in Excel.
• Experience working with a project team to build/update cost forecasts.
• Working knowledge/proficiency with project management concepts, project controls concepts, scheduling software, and spreadsheets.
• Demonstrated knowledge of analyzing, integrating, trending, and forecasting cost information for projects.
• Demonstrated knowledge and usage of earned value techniques.
• Highly engaged self-starter, identifying problems and offering solutions.
• Effective oral and written communication skills.
• Certified Associate of Project Management or Project Management Professional Certification (desired).
• Experience using software such as Business Objects, MS Office Suite, Visio, PowerPlan, or Maximo (desired).
• Previous experience with EcoSys (desired).
• Experience in Transmission Project Controls, Management, or Construction (desired).
• Experience working with a Regulated Utility Company, Coal Fired Generating Plants, or large complex engineering and construction programs/projects in fixed price and/or T&M environments (a plus).
• Program or project Risk Program Control experience (desired).
• Proven collaborative team member.
• Understanding of the Project Management Center of Excellence project lifecycle.
• Database and reporting experience.
• 4-year degree in Construction Management, Business, Project Management, Engineering, or equivalent (desired).

Pay

$55.00 - $63.00/hr (W2 contract). ACA-compliant supplemental package available for enrollment.

Schedule

Hybrid: Tuesday is a required in-office day; other days can be chosen by the individual. Employees should live within a reasonable commute to their designated facility.

Working Conditions

Hybrid—work will be performed from both remote and onsite locations after the onboarding period.