Project Controls - Lead Cost Controller

Bird Construction•Edmonton, AB

2d•Hybrid

About The Position

In support of upcoming projects, Bird Construction is reaching out to market to identify candidates interested in the Project Controls Lead Cost Controller position. Potential start date of May/June 2026. Reporting to the Project Controls Lead, the Lead Cost Controller plays a critical role in driving excellence in cost management and project controls across medium to large-scale projects. This role is responsible for overseeing cost control processes, mentoring junior staff, and ensuring accurate and timely financial reporting. The Lead Cost Controller acts as a strategic partner to project teams and senior management, providing insights that support effective decision-making and project success. This successful candidate must be open to working in fast paced, challenging project environments where remote and shift work with irregular hours will be required.

Requirements

8+ years of experience in cost control, including leadership roles.
Experience in a contracting environment with various project delivery models.
Expertise in Project Management Systems in general while project specific application training will be provided.
Advanced knowledge of Excel and working knowledge of other MS Office software.
Proven ability to manage cost control processes on large and complex construction or industrial projects.
Deep understanding of Earned Value Management (EVM) principles and metrics.
Exceptional forecasting abilities.
Excellent leadership and mentoring skills with the ability to guide a team effectively.
Strong analytical and problem-solving skills, with experience in identifying cost trends and providing actionable recommendations.
Effective verbal and written communication skills, including stakeholder presentations and report writing.
Ability to manage multiple priorities simultaneously and meet the time demands of unpredictable activities, capable of handling pressure and challenges in a dynamic business environment.
Ability to work in site-based environments and interact confidently with field staff and clients.

Nice To Haves

Certified cost professional through AACE (Association for the Advancement of Cost Engineering) or working towards certification, or supporting diploma or degree, or combination of education and related experience is an asset.
Experience with InEight Software is an asset.
Exposure to advanced reporting and visualization tools like Power BI.
Familiarity with risk management processes, including contingency planning and cost risk assessments.

Responsibilities

Coordinate the budget development at each phase of the project as per current standards and guidelines.
Develop and implement advanced cost control structures, including Work Breakdown Structures (WBS) and Cost Breakdown Structures (CBS), specific to project requirements.
Create meaningful, timely, cost estimates in the event of project changes and scope.
Monitoring and updating cost estimates for projects to ensure that costs are within expected ranges.
Develop the cash flow and report actual vs. planned expenditures as per the established schedule (monthly, weekly, and daily during project execution).
Assess all aspects of project costs across the life of the project, including actual, committed, and forecasted costs.
Effective management of invoices and timesheets to allow accurate forecasting.
Conduct regular cost trend analyses, identify variances, and recommend corrective actions to project teams and senior management.
Oversee the preparation and presentation of financial reports, including Earned Value Management (EVM) metrics such as CPI, SPI, and project forecasting.
Lead change management processes, ensuring that budget adjustments and contract variations are tracked and reported accurately.
Mentor and provide technical guidance to junior cost controllers, fostering a culture of learning and continuous improvement.
Act as the primary point of contact for cost-related queries, engaging with internal and external stakeholders, including clients, vendors, and field teams.
Ensure compliance with company financial policies, procedures, and reporting standards.
Contribute to tendering, estimating, and procurement processes by providing cost analysis and insights.
Drive innovation by leveraging tools like Power BI for advanced data visualization and reporting.