The Role
Lead project controls for complex engineering and construction projects including cost estimating, budgeting, forecasting, schedule development and analysis with Primavera P6, change management, EAC analysis, cashflow forecasting, reporting, risk assessment, and mentoring junior staff while advising project teams and stakeholders to improve project performance.
Summary Generated by Built In
PMA Consultants is seeking an experienced Project Controls to support complex engineering and construction projects. In this role, you will perform project controls functions related to the full project lifecycle, including schedule planning, cost management, budgeting, forecasting, change management, reporting, and project controls oversight. You will create and manage project budgets, analyze bids, develop cost forecasts, monitor financial performance, and maintain project controls systems for a portfolio of projects.
You will advise project teams and planning departments on critical project milestones, participate in project risk assessments, ensure schedules accurately reflect project risks and opportunities, and provide actionable recommendations that improve project performance. Operating with minimal supervision, you may mentor junior project controls professionals while collaborating with clients, project teams, and senior leadership to ensure successful project delivery.
Organizational Responsibilities
- Lead and support project cost management and project controls activities on complex engineering and construction projects.
- Develop detailed cost estimates, baseline budgets, and cost forecasting models.
- Create, maintain, and analyze project schedules using Oracle Primavera P6.
- Update and maintain project budgets, schedules, cash flow forecasts, and financial reports.
- Perform cost forecasting, budget management, controls, reporting, and change management for a portfolio of projects.
- Review contract documents to identify cost obligations and ensure contractual compliance.
- Develop, maintain, and update project baselines, revisions, and forecasts.
- Analyze project performance, cost variances, and schedule impacts while identifying root causes and corrective actions.
- Perform Estimate at Completion (EAC) analysis, cash flow forecasting, and what-if scenario evaluations.
- Track project costs, forecasts, commitments, invoices, and change orders.
- Prepare and review contractor change orders involving cost and schedule impacts.
- Maintain project controls databases and perform audits to ensure data accuracy.
- Advise planning teams on project approval dates and milestone compliance.
- Participate in project risk assessments and ensure schedules appropriately reflect project risks and opportunities.
- Assist senior leadership with project controls analysis, reporting, and special initiatives.
- Prepare and lead project cost and schedule review meetings with internal and external stakeholders.
- Develop dashboards, executive reports, and financial analyses that support project decision-making.
- Present project status, forecasts, and financial impacts to technical and executive audiences.
- Collaborate with project managers, engineers, contractors, clients, and other departments to gather schedule and cost information.
- Provide technical leadership and mentorship to junior project controls staff.
- Promote project controls best practices across the organization.
- Identify opportunities to improve project controls processes, reporting, and forecasting methodologies.
- Represent PMA professionally in all client and internal interactions.
- Perform other duties as assigned.
Project Controls & Cost Management
Communication & Stakeholder Engagement
Leadership
Qualifications
- Bachelor's degree in Engineering, Construction Management, Civil Engineering, or a related field.
- 10–15 years of experience in project controls, cost engineering, scheduling, and construction project management.
- Extensive hands-on experience preparing and analyzing construction schedules.
- Expert-level experience with Oracle Primavera P6 scheduling software.
- Strong analytical skills with advanced knowledge of:
- Schedule management
- Cost control
- Budget development
- Cost forecasting
- Financial analysis
- Earned Value concepts
- Demonstrated experience preparing and reviewing contractor change orders involving both cost and schedule impacts.
- Experience managing project budgets, cash flow forecasts, and Estimate at Completion (EAC) reporting.
- Proficiency with Microsoft Excel and project controls reporting tools.
- Excellent written and verbal communication skills.
- Strong presentation skills with the ability to lead meetings and communicate effectively with clients and executive leadership.
- Ability to work independently while collaborating in a fast-paced project environment.
- Project Management Professional (PMP) certification or other Project Controls-related certification.
- Experience supporting large transportation, transit, infrastructure, industrial, or major capital construction projects.
- Knowledge of transit projects.
- Experience mentoring project controls professionals and supporting team development.
Required
Preferred
Additional Requirements
Physical: Standing or sitting for long periods; must be able to lift up to 15 pounds at times and spend extended hours in front of a computer screen.
Cognitive: Problem-solving, written, and verbal communication skills; computer and software skills; and ability to read and interpret text online or in printed form.
About PMA
At PMA, employee well-being is a daily priority. We offer a combination of workplace options that include a PMA office location; work-from-home; or a client site. Wherever we work, we openly share knowledge as we believe that collaboration with peers improves our work product and that pursuing subject matter expertise is a lifelong endeavor.
We are committed to a culture of equity, diversity, and inclusion. We affirm and respect diverse backgrounds and opinions because we believe they yield the best solutions for our clients. We promote emotional intelligence and trust by nurturing these values within our new hires.
We encourage staff to develop rewarding, long-term careers at PMA, and we implement formal leadership development programs that help you attain your goals. At PMA, shared success is a core value. Every employee who contributes is recognized, celebrated, and rewarded. We look for self-driven candidates eager to assume responsibility and join a community of respect founded on collaboration and accountability, not titles. If you aim to transform the project management practice toward continuous improvement of project outcomes, the profession, and yourself, PMA looks forward to warmly welcoming you to our team.
We offer competitive pay and benefits, wellness programs for you and your family, and career development opportunities to advance your professional goals.
As a PMA professional, you will be empowered to make timely and effective decisions and significant daily contributions to complex facets of project delivery. Join a team that has achieved a world-class reputation in the construction industry and has been voted a “Best Place to Work.”
PMA offers competitive wages and comprehensive benefits, including medical, prescription, dental, vision, time off with pay, 401(k) with company match, life, disability, and professional development reimbursement for qualifying employees. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex (including pregnancy, sexual orientation, gender identity, or gender expression), disability, national origin, or any other characteristic protected by applicable laws, regulations, and ordinances. Qualified female and minority applicants are encouraged to apply.
EOE, including persons with disabilities and veterans.
VEVRAA federal contractor.
Skills Required
- Bachelor's degree in Engineering, Construction Management, Civil Engineering, or related field
- 10-15 years of experience in project controls, cost engineering, scheduling, and construction project management
- Extensive hands-on experience preparing and analyzing construction schedules
- Expert-level experience with Oracle Primavera P6
- Advanced knowledge of schedule management, cost control, budget development, cost forecasting, and financial analysis
- Working knowledge of Earned Value concepts and EAC analysis
- Experience preparing and reviewing contractor change orders involving cost and schedule impacts
- Experience managing project budgets, cash flow forecasts, and EAC reporting
- Proficiency with Microsoft Excel and project controls reporting tools
- Excellent written and verbal communication and strong presentation skills
- Ability to work independently in a fast-paced project environment
- Project Management Professional (PMP) or other Project Controls-related certification
- Experience supporting large transportation, transit, infrastructure, industrial, or major capital construction projects
- Knowledge of transit projects
- Experience mentoring project controls professionals
Am I A Good Fit?
Get Personalized Job Insights.
Our AI-powered fit analysis compares your resume with a job listing so you know if your skills & experience align.
Success! Refresh the page to see how your skills align with this role.
The Company
What We Do
PMA Consultants is a nationally recognized program, project, and construction management consulting firm founded in 1971. PMA is comprised of over 200 experts in a variety of specialty areas with experience on major projects nationwide. We are recognized pioneers and leaders in the construction industry and experts in dispute avoidance and resolution. With PMA on your team, you gain a trusted technical advisor with more than three decades of experience implementing customized, innovative and successful solutions that are models for the construction industry.
