Principal Estimator - Project Controls

Pinnacle Specialty Group, Inc.•Aiken, SC

3d•Onsite

About The Position

This role is responsible for the organization, development, implementation, maintenance, and accountability of total project controls, financial analysis, or estimating applications. The objective is to provide management with the capability to maintain planning, scheduling, financial analysis, and cost control throughout the lifecycle of complex or unique projects or programs. The position operates under limited supervision, preparing business/financial plans and reports. It requires proficient ability in developing cost and schedule baselines, milestone schedules, work breakdown structures, and spend out plans to optimize resource utilization. The role involves utilizing advanced project control concepts, providing leadership in controls application, and guiding subordinates in complex, multi-project analysis. Key activities include participating in cost reviews, developing change management systems, analyzing cost and schedule variances, and communicating mitigation plans. The position also involves understanding the business environment, acting as a liaison between the client and planning processes, performing financial analysis, developing and explaining costing rates, analyzing business operations for funding limitations and cost controls, designing financial controls, creating cost-effective processes, defining requirements for business systems, developing test plans, overseeing system enhancements, initiating special studies, developing business solutions, and preparing comprehensive monthly financial reports. The role also provides leadership, technical direction, and training to other Project Controls personnel and requires an understanding of CAS/FAR principles.

Requirements

Master's degree in business / construction management / technical / engineering or a related area and 5 years of practical experience. Bachelor's degree in business / construction management / technical / engineering or a related area and 7 years of practical experience would be considered equivalent. An Associate's degree and 11 years of practical experience would be considered equivalent. A high school diploma and 15 years of relevant experience would also be considered equivalent.
Possesses strong personal computer skills.
Requires expert proficiency in the use of automated accounting, cost management, scheduling and estimating systems as tools for performing required duties.
Possesses practical experience in the use of the Site Business systems.
A comprehensive knowledge and understanding of project management and cost and schedule control at the tactical level would be necessary, along with a knowledge of operations, maintenance, or project startup and construction.
Working knowledge of Success Estimating software
Minimum of 10 years of experience in engineering, construction, operations, estimating, scheduling, project controls, proposal development, and/or project management. (required)
Five years of experience demonstrating knowledge of desired area of subject matter expertise. (required)
Reviews work for completeness as required by project specifications and scope definitions. (required)
Candidate must have strong problem solving, analysis and interpersonal skills as well as oral and written communication skills. (required)
Due to government and/or federal regulations for this position, proof of U.S. citizenship is required.

Responsibilities

Responsible for the organization, development, implementation, maintenance and accountability of total project controls, financial analysis or estimating applications designed to provide management with the total capability of maintaining planning, scheduling, financial analysis and cost control throughout the life cycle of a very complex or unique project or program.
Under very limited supervision, performs project controls activities, prepares business/financial plans and reports on a periodic or ad hoc basis.
Demonstrate proficient ability and knowledge in the development of cost and schedule baselines, milestone schedules, work breakdown structures, spend out plans to establish optimum conditions and effective utilization of resources and facilities, including equipment, manpower, and funding.
Utilize advanced project control concepts to demonstrate personal expertise and leadership in the application of controls including the development of advanced system applications. Provide state-of-the-art technical control expertise to guide subordinates in the development of complex, multi-project integrated area project analysis and problem correction.
Participates in routine project cost reviews/schedule meetings - Develops and implements a basic change management system for engineering and construction assigned work scope
Analyzes variances in cost and schedule performance against the plan, and communicate the reasons for the issuance of variance and proposed mitigation plans to Management
Understands the business environment and the operations of the area being supported.
Provides the key linkage between the client and the planning process and actively contributes to the control of the client’s business unit.
Performs and applies financial analysis techniques including but not limited to variance analysis, statistical analysis, scenario analysis, etc., to work scopes and decisions as requested by management.
Develop costing rates, explain costing rates for the budget process, maintain rates in PeopleSoft and analyze pool variances (Assigned Overhead and Service Pools)
Perform extensive analysis of various business operations to ascertain funding limitations and execute appropriate cost controls; identify productivity and financial issues; design highly integrated financial controls; and create cost effective processes to enhance productivity
Define requirements and develop models for complex business systems, develop test plans and scenarios, incorporate major system enhancements into existing financial applications, oversee implementation of project and monitor system effectiveness
Initiate and direct special studies, develop business solutions for intricate problem areas for management and translate the conceptual ideas of higher management into operating plans. Prepare comprehensive monthly financial reports including analyses, forecasts, and spend plans
Assemble, analyze, interpret information and apply practical knowledge to create innovative solutions to resolve complex business issues.
Provide leadership, technical direction and training to other Project Controls personnel. -Understands CAS/FAR principles
Review and provide input to specifications for engineered equipment and/or subcontracts
Review and provide input to estimators on resources (labor and other-than-labor) needed to perform the scope of work
Provide input to schedulers on sequence, durations, and logic of activities
Provide input to management regarding risk-informed schedules to serve as the basis for establishing milestones and PBIs.
Provide input to technical writers for BOEs, BOS, and WBS data dictionary