Project Controls Specialist III - Cost Analyst - Build LACCD

The offered rate of compensation will be based on a variety of non-discriminatory factors, including education, qualifications, experience, and geographic location. The salary range for this position is $110,000–$117,000.

About the Role

CLMI Group is seeking an experienced Project Controls Specialist III (Cost Analyst) to join the Build LACCD Program Management Office — one of California's largest active public construction programs, overseeing a multi-billion-dollar capital portfolio across Los Angeles Community College District campuses.

In this high-visibility, embedded PMO role, you will serve as the financial backbone of active capital projects — owning budget integrity, driving variance resolution, and delivering the cost reporting that program leadership and college stakeholders rely on. You will work directly alongside Project and Construction Managers, scheduling teams, and the PMO to keep complex, multi-funded projects financially on track.

This position is employed through CLMI Group on a staff augmentation basis, placed full-time on-site within the Build LACCD PMO. This is not a remote or hybrid position.


What You'll Do

Budget Management & Financial Forecasting

• Maintain accuracy and integrity of project budgets and financial forecasts across multiple funding sources, ensuring compliance with BuildLACCD cost management policies and procedures.
• Administer budget transfers, financial closeouts, contract requests, purchase requisitions, amendments, PBAs, and change orders within cost management systems (Proliance, Deltek Costpoint).

Cost Analysis & Variance Reporting

• Lead monthly Estimate at Completion (EAC) reviews with the PMO — providing in-depth variance analysis, identifying root causes, and recommending corrective actions.
• Allocate and manage Estimates to Complete (ETCs) across projects, including change order proposals, task order requests, and vendor portal requests, maintaining alignment with financial objectives.
• Conduct monthly budget-to-cost reconciliations and analyze cost performance trends, comparing actuals against forecasts and mitigation plans.

Change Management & Risk

• Participate in change management and risk assessment meetings to evaluate cost-related trends, risks, and exposures — contributing to proactive mitigation strategies.
• Prepare and validate contract amendment exhibits, task order requests, and change orders/PBAs, ensuring proper budget allocation, cost coding accuracy, and compliance with reporting standards.

Schedule-Cost Integration

• Collaborate with scheduling teams to assess the impact of cash flow and schedule performance on project costs, identifying variances, overruns/underruns, and forecasting issues.
• Examine staffing plans to identify resource demand peaks and recommend cost-effective leveling strategies to reduce financial strain.

Reporting & Stakeholder Communication

• Generate and deliver tailored financial, budget, and schedule reports for campus-specific budgeting, cost control, auditing, and asset tracking in response to CPD and PMO directives.
• Serve as the primary point of contact for college financial information requests from CPLT and the PMO; collaborate to validate project budget data and develop accurate dashboard reports.
• Partner with Project and Construction Managers to draft white papers supporting project establishment, re-baselining, and capital funding requests.

Requirements

Experience

• 5–10 years of professional experience in program and/or project controls on a construction program.
• Demonstrated experience working through the full project lifecycle, from project establishment through financial closeout.
• Working knowledge of cost/schedule management principles, earned value management (EVM), change management, forecasting, and risk assessment.
• Experience with capital program cost management software — Proliance, Deltek Costpoint, or equivalent systems (e-Builder, PMWeb, Unifier) required.
• Advanced proficiency in Microsoft Excel; experience with data warehouse or dashboard reporting tools preferred.

Education

• BS/BA degree in Engineering, Construction Management, Business, or a related field required.
• Additional qualifying experience beyond the minimum may substitute for the required degree on a year-for-year basis.

Skills & Attributes

• Exceptional written and verbal communication skills; ability to present financial data clearly to non-financial stakeholders and senior leadership.
• Strong analytical mindset with the ability to identify trends, diagnose variances, and recommend actionable corrections under tight deadlines.
• Able to manage competing priorities across multiple simultaneous projects in a fast-paced public program environment.
• Professional, collaborative, and team-oriented; comfortable serving as a primary point of contact for campus and program stakeholders.

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience utilizing Microsoft Office, Advanced Excel Skills, Proliance, Data-Warehouse, or other systems used by a large capital program, and educational facility experience.

Benefits

The offered rate of compensation will be based on a variety of non-discriminatory factors, including education, qualifications, experience, and geographic location. The annual salary range for this position is $110,000–$117,000.

• Medical, Dental & Vision (Health Care Plan)
• 401(k) Retirement Plan with Matching
• Paid Time Off (Vacation, Sick & Public Holidays)
• Short-Term / Long-Term Disability & Life Insurance

CLMI Group is an Equal Opportunity Employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, disability, or protected veteran status.