Director, Project Controls

U.S. Engineering • Kansas City, MO

1d

About The Position

The Director of Project Controls is responsible for leading the alignment between intercompany teams including estimating, virtual construction, scheduling, and project operations. Execute strategy, and development of project controls functions across the organization, including cost management, scheduling, forecasting, risk management, and reporting. This role ensures projects are delivered on time, within budget, and with full visibility into performance, while driving consistency, accuracy, and continuous improvement across all project controls practices.

Requirements

• Bachelor’s degree in Construction Management, Engineering, Finance, or related field (or equivalent experience)
• 10–15+ years of experience in project controls, construction management, or related discipline
• 5+ years in a leadership role managing teams and multiple projects
• Experience in large-scale commercial, industrial, or mechanical construction projects
• Deep knowledge of cost control, forecasting, scheduling (CPM), and risk management
• Proficiency with project controls and scheduling software (e.g., Primavera P6, MS Project)
• Strong financial acumen, including budgeting, cost analysis, and reporting
• Familiarity with ERP systems and data analytics tools
• Strong strategic thinking and decision-making capabilities
• Excellent communication and executive presentation skills
• Proven ability to lead cross-functional teams and influence stakeholders
• High attention to detail with a focus on accuracy and accountability
• Ability to manage multiple priorities in a fast-paced environment
• Ability to visit and navigate active construction sites
• Ability to sit, stand, and work at a computer for extended periods

Nice To Haves

• PMP (Project Management Professional) certification
• PSP (Planning & Scheduling Professional) or CCP (Certified Cost Professional)
• Experience implementing or improving project controls systems and processes

Responsibilities

• Establish and lead the overall project controls strategy aligned with company growth objectives
• Develop standardized processes, tools, and governance for cost, schedule, and performance management
• Drive consistency across all projects, regions, and business units
• Partner with executive leadership to provide insights that inform business decisions and project pursuits
• Oversee project cost management processes, including budgeting, forecasting, and cost tracking
• Ensure accurate and timely financial reporting across all active projects
• Analyze cost performance, identify variances, and collaborate with project teams to implement corrective actions
• Collaborate with finance and operations to improve margin predictability and profitability
• Lead the development and oversight of project schedules, including baseline schedules and progress updates
• Ensure proper use of scheduling methodologies (e.g., CPM) across projects
• Identify schedule risks and mitigation strategies to maintain project timelines
• Support project teams in recovery planning and schedule optimization
• Develop and implement risk identification, assessment, and mitigation processes
• Ensure risks are quantified and incorporated into project forecasts and contingency planning
• Provide leadership visibility into key project risks and opportunities
• Establish standardized reporting frameworks, dashboards, and KPIs
• Deliver clear, data-driven insights to executive leadership on project performance
• Leverage data analytics to improve forecasting accuracy and decision-making
• Continuously improve reporting tools and systems for efficiency and clarity
• Partner with estimating and preconstruction teams to ensure accurate project setup and baseline alignment
• Ensure smooth transition from estimating to project execution with clear cost and schedule baselines
• Support project teams throughout the lifecycle with controls expertise
• Build, lead, and mentor a high-performing project controls team (cost engineers, schedulers, analysts)
• Establish clear roles, responsibilities, and performance expectations
• Drive professional development and succession planning within the team
• Foster a culture of accountability, collaboration, and continuous improvement
• Evaluate and implement project controls systems and tools (e.g., productivity tracking, scheduling software, ERP integrations)
• Drive digital transformation and automation of project controls processes where applicable
• Promote best practices and lessons learned across the organization. Partner with operational training team to develop programs to train team members
• Support and reinforce company safety culture across all project activities
• Ensure compliance with contractual requirements, company policies, and regulatory standards

Benefits

• Team members are eligible for a year-end bonus based on company and/or individual performance as well as paid time off.
• An industry-leading benefits package, including health, dental, and vision plans, matching retirement contributions, and matching 529 contributions all add to your bottom line.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Director
• Number of Employees: 501-1,000 employees