Project Cost Controls

JOB DESCRIPTION:

Audubon is currently seeking a Project Cost Controls Specialist to join our team in our Houston, TX Office. The Project Cost Controls Specialist plans and executes the cost control requirements for projects under administrative guidance. Responsible for providing accurate budget tracking and reporting. Analyzes variances in cost performance against the approved budget and communicates the reasons for variance and proposed mitigation plans to Project Management. Leads in the development and implementation of Work Breakdown and Project Coding Structures for control and integrity of work defined by the contract. Interprets contract commercial agreements to ensure payments are in compliance with the agreement. Familiar with the functionality of automated cost management systems.

PRIMARY RESPONSIBILITIES:

• Independently performs a variety of assignments requiring the application of standard cost techniques.
• Participates in project kick off.
• Works closely with the Estimating and Scheduling efforts to ensure an accurate Cost Estimate and Budget is established.
• Coordinates with the accounting group to establish a Cost Breakdown Structure that will enable a smooth transition at the end of the project to provide accounting group with cost information that meets their needs for asset depreciation.
• Enter all forecasted commitments as well as the contingency estimate to establish the Project Cash Flow.
• Monitors Procurement activity and records Project Commitments as they occur and verifies the cost coding and budget balances.
• Investigates causes of variance between estimated, committed and actual amounts and recommends solutions or recovery plans.
• Determines historical data requirements and inputs into historical data system.
• Interfaces and coordinates with internal and external clients as required for successful project cost control.
• Participates in the project Change Management Process to ensure the timely identification of changes/trends to project scope, quality level, cost and schedule and the prompt submittal and follow up of change orders.
• Analyzes and forecast time/cost impact.
• Determines cost trend variations and trends and informs project management of potential problem areas and recommend solutions or recovery plans to cost impact.
• Maintains project cost records and forecasts for the total project and provide Management with cost reports.
• Reviews invoices of contractors to provide independent judgement for progress reporting and payment.
• Accumulates and compiles accurate cost management data to prepare project budget and update progress of the project.
• Maintains established project cost/schedule program and prepares schedule/cost status reports.
• Analyzes variances in cost and schedule performance against the plan and communicates the reasons for the variance and proposed mitigation plans to Project Management.
• Provides Status of Reserves and Contingencies.
• Participate in weekly project cost reviews/schedule meetings.
• Analyzes, evaluate and forecast project cost and variances.
• Coordinate and participate in internal and external audits.
• Prepares Project Management Reporting and assists in Project Review.
• Maintains knowledge of safety policies and procedures and perform assigned duties in a safe manner.
• Develops cost reporting format as required by internal and client requirements.

HEALTH, SAFETY, AND ENVIRONMENTAL RESPONSIBILITIES:

• All employees are responsible for supporting Audubon Companies’ Health, Safety, and Environmental (HSE) policies and procedures. This includes:
• Performing duties in a manner that protects personal and team health and safety
• Participating in required HSE training, meetings, and reporting activities
• Identifying and reporting hazards, near misses, and unsafe conditions
• Following safe work practices and complying with applicable regulatory requirements

EXPERIENCE AND SKILL REQUIREMENTS:

• High-school degree or equivalent is required. College degree is preferred.
• Requires 3+ years of project cost controls experience.
• Ability to effectively present information in one-on-one and small group situations to customers, clients, and other employees of the organization.
• Ability to compute rate, ratio, and percent and to draw and interpret bar graphs. Must possess strong computer skills in the area of spreadsheets, word processing and presentation software. Significant knowledge of Microsoft Excel is required, including Pivot Tables for analysis of data.
• Experience in the use of automated accounting and cost management systems is preferred.