Project Controls Manager or Senior Manager

Plummer

1h•Hybrid

About The Position

We are seeking a Project Controls Manager/Senior Manager to establish and lead a new project support function that enhances the effectiveness of our project managers through improved planning, scheduling, and project financial management. As Plummer continues to grow, we are formalizing a project controls function to improve consistency, visibility, accountability, and scalability across our projects. This role will initially serve as a hands-on leader responsible for defining processes, supporting project teams directly, and shaping the structure and responsibilities of a future project controls team. Over time, this individual will help build and lead a team that provides consistent, high-quality project support across the firm.

Requirements

8–12+ years of experience in project controls, project management, or project operations within an engineering, consulting, or professional services firm
Strong experience with Unanet or similar ERP/project management systems (Deltek Vantagepoint, Ajera, etc.)
Deep understanding of: Project budgeting and forecasting, Revenue, cost tracking, and utilization, Project lifecycle in project-focused consulting environments
Experience building and improving processes, not just executing them
Demonstrated ability to influence and gain alignment without direct authority (working with PMs)
Strong analytical and organizational skills

Nice To Haves

3–5+ years of experience managing or leading teams, with the ability to hire, develop, and mentor project controls or project support staff
Experience building or leading a project controls function
Familiarity with scheduling tools (MS Project, Primavera, etc.)
Background in engineering or AEC industry

Responsibilities

Serve as a subject matter expert for project setup, planning, and financial management within Unanet (our enterprise resource planning (ERP) system).
Partner with Project Managers (PMs)s to develop and maintain project plans, budgets, and schedules
Ensure data accuracy, consistency, and usability across projects
Identify opportunities to improve Unanet’s effectiveness to support efficient project delivery
Establish and promote firm-wide standards for project setup, budgeting, reforecasting, and reporting within the system
Assist PMs with project budgeting, forecasting, and tracking performance
Support development and maintenance of project schedules and plans
Monitor project performance and proactively identify risks or variances
Provide input into reporting and dashboards used to monitor project health
Analyze project performance through variance and trend analysis (budget vs. actuals, forecast changes, schedule performance) to develop a deep understanding of project dynamics
Translate data into meaningful insights and proactively engage PMs with thoughtful, informed questions to identify risks, validate assumptions, and drive necessary budget and forecast adjustments
Act as a thought partner to PMs, ensuring forecasts reflect current realities rather than static plans
Define best practices for project setup, planning, and financial management
Develop templates, workflows, and guidance for PMs
Create scalable processes that improve consistency across projects
Partner with finance and leadership to align on project performance metrics
Assess long-term needs for a project controls / project support team
Help define roles such as Project Coordinators or Project Analysts
Recruit, onboard, and mentor future team members
Establish clear roles and responsibilities between PMs and the support team
Support PMs in adopting improved tools and processes
Provide training and guidance on Unanet and project management practices
Act as a bridge between technical teams, finance, and operations