Project Controls Manager

Job Summary:

The Project Controls Manager is responsible for leading and overseeing project controls activities across assigned business units and construction projects. This role provides leadership in project cost management, forecasting, scheduling, productivity analysis, financial reporting, and risk management to support successful project execution and profitability.

The Project Controls Manager works closely with Operations, Project Management, Estimating, Accounting, and executive leadership to ensure project performance is accurately measured, financial forecasts are reliable, and potential risks are identified and addressed proactively.

This position is responsible for developing and maintaining consistent project controls processes, leading and developing project controls personnel, and driving continuous improvement in the systems, tools, and practices used to manage project performance.

Primary Job Function:

• Oversee project controls across assigned projects and business units, establishing consistent processes, procedures, reporting standards, and best practices throughout the project lifecycle-from job setup and budget development through execution and closeout.
• Partner with Operations leadership and Project Managers to identify project risks, evaluate performance, and develop corrective action plans.
• Promote collaboration and accountability between Project Controls, Project Management, Estimating, Accounting, and field operations.
• Oversee cost tracking, budget management, and financial forecasting, ensuring accurate, timely, and consistent project financial information across forecasting, accounting, and reporting systems.
• Lead review and validation of Estimates at Completion and Estimates to Complete, challenging assumptions so forecasts reflect current conditions and remaining work.
• Lead monthly Work in Progress (WIP) reviews and Project Status Reviews (PSRs), analyzing profitability, gain/fade trends, cost variances, and financial risks, and ensuring financial and operational information is accurate, complete, and supported.
• Monitor labor, equipment, material, subcontractor, and other costs to identify unfavorable trends and profitability opportunities.
• Review billing performance, including over/underbillings, outstanding billings, and cash flow impacts.
• Evaluate performance against budgets, production targets, and schedules using KPIs-labor productivity, earned value, cost performance, schedule progress, and forecasted profitability-to identify emerging trends and potential cost overruns.
• Support scheduling and progress measurement, including milestone tracking, critical path evaluation, and identification of potential delays.
• Evaluate financial exposure from change orders, subcontractor performance, project risks, and remaining contingency.
• Escalate significant performance concerns and financial risks to Operations and executive leadership with actionable recommendations.
• Present project and business unit performance analyses to Operations and executive leadership, highlighting key variances, risks, trends, and recommended actions.
• Support project handoffs from Estimating to Operations, ensuring budgets, quantities, assumptions, and cost structures are properly established.
• Oversee project closeout, ensuring outstanding costs, commitments, billings, and financial obligations are resolved.

Experience:

• Minimum of 7 years of experience in construction project controls, cost management, project management, or a closely related discipline.
• Minimum of 3 years of supervisory or team leadership experience.
• Demonstrated experience with project cost forecasting, budget management, financial analysis, and construction project performance monitoring.
• Strong understanding of construction cost structures, labor productivity, project schedules, and financial performance indicators.
• Experience analyzing project financial results, identifying cost and productivity variances, and developing actionable recommendations.
• Advanced proficiency in SharePoint and Microsoft Excel, including complex formulas, pivot tables, data analysis, and financial modeling.
• Experience working with project management, financial reporting, or ERP systems.
• Preferred experience in Data Centers, Midstream Oil & Gas, Energy Infrastructure, or industrial construction.

Education/Training:

• Bachelor's degree in related field preferred (e.g. accounting, finance, economics, engineering or construction management).
• Professional certifications such as AACE Certified Cost Professional (CCP), Planning & Scheduling Professional (PSP), or Project Management Professional (PMP) are a plus but not required.

Competencies:

• Professional Judgment & Integrity: Exercises sound judgment, maintains objectivity, and demonstrates the confidence to communicate difficult findings or challenge project assumptions when necessary.
• Analytical & Critical Thinking: Effectively evaluates complex project information, challenges assumptions, identifies underlying issues, and develops practical solutions.
• Communication & Influence: Communicates effectively with field personnel, Project Managers, and executive leadership, translating complex financial and operational information into actionable insights.
• Leadership & Accountability: Demonstrates the ability to lead, develop, and hold teams accountable while fostering collaboration and continuous improvement.
• Financial & Business Acumen: Understands the relationship between project execution, cost performance, profitability, forecasting, and overall business results.
• Proactive Risk Management: Anticipates potential challenges, identifies early warning indicators, and drives timely corrective actions.
• Organization & Execution: Successfully manages competing priorities, multiple projects, and critical reporting deadlines while maintaining accuracy and attention to detail.
• Technical Proficiency: Demonstrates strong understanding of project controls principles, financial systems, reporting tools, and construction operations.
• Continuous Improvement: Actively identifies opportunities to improve processes, leverage technology, and increase organizational effectiveness.