Project Controls Manager (00612)

PMA Consultants Careers•Chicago, IL

5d•$125,860 - $178,684

About The Position

The Project Controls Manager provides leadership and technical expertise to support delivery of engineering, construction, infrastructure, and capital improvement projects. The role oversees project controls functions—including cost management, scheduling, forecasting, change management, risk analysis, and performance reporting—and promotes consistent application of project controls standards and best practices. The position provides strategic guidance to project teams, project managers, and stakeholders throughout the project lifecycle, supports informed decision-making through data-driven analysis, and leads project controls personnel and continuous improvement efforts. Responsibilities include overseeing budgets, expenditures, commitments, forecasts, and cash flow projections; developing and analyzing cost estimates and schedules; evaluating project performance; and communicating status, risks, and recommendations. The manager also supports contract administration, project audits, reviews, and quality assurance initiatives. This opportunity is available at multiple levels, with final placement based on the selected candidate’s experience, skills, and alignment with business needs. PMA offers workplace options that include a PMA office, work-from-home, or a client site. The company describes a collaborative culture emphasizing equity, diversity, inclusion, employee well-being, professional expertise, leadership development, and continuous improvement. The salary range is $125,860–$178,684 per year, with placement based on factors including relevant experience and geographic location.

Requirements

Bachelor’s degree in Engineering, Construction Management, or a related discipline.
10 or more years of experience in project controls, cost engineering, scheduling, or project management supporting engineering, construction, infrastructure, or capital projects.
Demonstrated experience leading project controls efforts on complex projects and managing multiple stakeholders.
Expertise in Primavera P6 scheduling for construction and capital projects.
Experience developing and analyzing project schedules, cost forecasts, estimates, critical path analyses, and performance reports.
Strong knowledge of earned value management, critical path method, forecasting methodologies, risk analysis, and change management processes.
Proficiency with cost management systems, project controls reporting tools, and advanced Microsoft Excel functions.
Strong analytical, organizational, problem-solving, and communication skills.
Demonstrated leadership experience managing project controls teams and supporting project delivery objectives.
Ability to meet the physical requirements of standing or sitting for long periods, lifting up to 15 pounds at times, and spending extended hours in front of a computer screen.
Problem-solving, written and verbal communication, computer and software skills, and the ability to read and interpret text online or in printed form.
An equivalent combination of education, experience, and training that provides the required knowledge, skills, and abilities may be considered in lieu of the stated minimum qualifications.

Nice To Haves

Advanced degree preferred.
Professional certifications such as PMP, PE, CCP, or PSP are strongly preferred.

Responsibilities

Lead project controls activities, including cost control, scheduling, forecasting, earned value management, risk management, and change management.
Develop, implement, and maintain project controls procedures, systems, standards, and best practices, and ensure their consistent application.
Provide strategic project controls support to project managers and leadership teams throughout project delivery.
Support the development and maintenance of work breakdown structures, reporting frameworks, project controls plans, and performance measurement systems.
Oversee project budgets, expenditures, commitments, forecasts, and cash flow projections; monitor cost performance and identify trends, risks, opportunities, and variances.
Lead the development, review, and analysis of cost estimates, forecasts, and project controls reports, applying earned value management and other performance metrics.
Support contract administration by ensuring contractual requirements are incorporated into project controls processes.
Direct development, maintenance, and analysis of project schedules using Primavera P6; review updates, critical path analyses, milestone performance, recovery plans, and resource-loaded schedules.
Collaborate with project teams to identify schedule risks and develop mitigation strategies; participate in risk assessments and scenario planning.
Facilitate project controls meetings, schedule reviews, and performance reporting sessions.
Prepare executive-level reports, dashboards, presentations, and project performance summaries.
Communicate project status, cost and schedule performance, risks, and recovery recommendations to leadership and stakeholders.
Build and maintain effective relationships with clients, contractors, consultants, and internal project teams.
Lead and mentor project controls professionals, including schedulers, cost engineers, change management specialists, and analysts; provide technical leadership, coaching, and professional development support.
Participate in staffing, performance management, and team development activities, fostering collaboration and continuous improvement.
Ensure project controls data integrity and compliance with established standards and procedures.
Support project audits, reviews, and quality assurance initiatives.
Perform other duties as assigned.