Cost Controls Manager

KBR, Inc.•Huntsville, AL

About The Position

KBR is seeking a Cost Controls Manager to provide independent, client-side cost governance and assurance across the project lifecycle, from FEL/FEED through engineering, procurement, construction, commissioning, and closeout. The role oversees contractor cost performance, validates budget and forecast credibility, and gives project leadership an objective view of cost exposure, trends, changes, risks, and corrective actions. The manager defines and administers client cost-control requirements, reviews contractor baselines and forecasts, and makes evidence-based recommendations on budget decisions. The role validates contractor reporting and develops an independent PMC Estimate at Completion and Cost to Complete. It also oversees cost aspects of change and risk management, supports commercial activities, assures data integrity across project systems, and leads the PMC cost controls team. The position serves as the principal cost interface among the client, contractors, and project functions, while promoting consistent procedures, lessons learned, benchmarking, and continuous improvement.

Requirements

Bachelor’s degree in Engineering, Construction Management, Quantity Surveying, Finance, Business, or a related discipline; equivalent relevant experience may be considered.
12+ years of cost engineering or project controls experience on major EPC/EPCM capital projects, including 5+ years in a lead or management role.
Demonstrated PMC, owner’s team, consultant, or independent assurance experience overseeing contractor cost performance and advising senior project leadership.
Strong command of budgeting, commitments, accruals, forecasting, EAC, cash flow, contingency, change control, earned value, and variance analysis.
Ability to challenge contractor positions constructively, document independent recommendations, and communicate clearly with client and commercial stakeholders.
Advanced Excel capability and practical experience with Power BI and integrated cost/ERP systems.

Nice To Haves

Professional credential such as AACE CCP/CEP, PMP, RICS, or equivalent.
Experience with EcoSys, SAP, Oracle, Microsoft Dynamics, or comparable ERP/PPM platforms.
Experience in oil and gas, LNG, chemicals, power, energy transition, mining and minerals, life sciences, advanced manufacturing, or infrastructure.
Experience supporting claims avoidance, quantum assessment, JV governance, lender assurance, or independent project reviews.

Responsibilities

Define and administer the client’s cost-control requirements, coding structures, control accounts, reporting calendar, and governance procedures.
Review and challenge contractor cost baselines, estimates, cash flow, commitment plans, contingency, escalation, and reconciliation to approved scope and the project WBS.
Provide evidence-based recommendations to the client on baseline acceptance, budget transfers, contingency use, and forecast changes.
Maintain traceability between approved scope, budget, commitments, actuals, accruals, changes, risks, and forecast outcomes.
Validate contractor cost reports, commitments, accruals, value of work done, invoices, and forecasts against source evidence and contract requirements.
Develop an independent PMC Estimate at Completion and Cost to Complete, clearly distinguishing the contractor position from the PMC assessment.
Analyze variances, trends, productivity, quantities, procurement status, currency, escalation, and schedule impacts to identify emerging cost exposure.
Provide concise weekly and monthly insights, including decision requirements, prioritized actions, and credible mitigation options.
Oversee cost elements of change control, from early trend identification through assessment, approval, and incorporation into the control baseline.
Review contractor change estimates, variations, claims, and commercial submissions for scope completeness, quantity basis, rates, productivity, schedule linkage, and risk allowance.
Integrate quantitative and qualitative risk information with contingency forecasting and report risk drawdown versus contingency consumption.
Support tender evaluations, contract exhibits, payment milestones, audits, and commercial negotiations with objective cost analysis.
Assure data integrity and reconciliation across cost systems, ERP, procurement, schedule, progress, change, risk, and Power BI reporting.
Lead the PMC cost controls team, set review priorities, assign package ownership, and maintain clear escalation protocols.
Act as the principal cost interface with the client, contractors, project management, commercial, finance, engineering, procurement, construction, and commissioning.
Drive consistent procedures, lessons learned, benchmarking, and continuous improvement across the project or capital portfolio.