Project Controls Specialist III - Cost Analyst - Build LACCD

CLMI Group, LLC•Los Angeles, CA

1d•Onsite

About The Position

CLMI Group is seeking an experienced Project Controls Specialist III (Cost Analyst) to join the Build LACCD Program Management Office. This role is crucial for overseeing a multi-billion-dollar capital portfolio across Los Angeles Community College District campuses. As the financial backbone of active capital projects, you will be responsible for budget integrity, driving variance resolution, and delivering essential cost reporting to program leadership and stakeholders. You will work closely with Project and Construction Managers, scheduling teams, and the PMO to ensure complex, multi-funded projects remain financially on track. This is a full-time, on-site position within the Build LACCD PMO, employed through CLMI Group on a staff augmentation basis.

Requirements

5–10 years of professional experience in program and/or project controls on a construction program.
Demonstrated experience working through the full project lifecycle, from project establishment through financial closeout.
Working knowledge of cost/schedule management principles, earned value management (EVM), change management, forecasting, and risk assessment.
Experience with capital program cost management software — Proliance, Deltek Costpoint, or equivalent systems (e-Builder, PMWeb, Unifier) required.
Advanced proficiency in Microsoft Excel.
BS/BA degree in Engineering, Construction Management, Business, or a related field required.
Exceptional written and verbal communication skills; ability to present financial data clearly to non-financial stakeholders and senior leadership.
Strong analytical mindset with the ability to identify trends, diagnose variances, and recommend actionable corrections under tight deadlines.
Able to manage competing priorities across multiple simultaneous projects in a fast-paced public program environment.
Professional, collaborative, and team-oriented; comfortable serving as a primary point of contact for campus and program stakeholders.

Nice To Haves

Experience with data warehouse or dashboard reporting tools preferred.
Experience utilizing Microsoft Office, Advanced Excel Skills, Proliance, Data-Warehouse, or other systems used by a large capital program, and educational facility experience.

Responsibilities

Maintain accuracy and integrity of project budgets and financial forecasts across multiple funding sources, ensuring compliance with BuildLACCD cost management policies and procedures.
Administer budget transfers, financial closeouts, contract requests, purchase requisitions, amendments, PBAs, and change orders within cost management systems (Proliance, Deltek Costpoint).
Lead monthly Estimate at Completion (EAC) reviews with the PMO — providing in-depth variance analysis, identifying root causes, and recommending corrective actions.
Allocate and manage Estimates to Complete (ETCs) across projects, including change order proposals, task order requests, and vendor portal requests, maintaining alignment with financial objectives.
Conduct monthly budget-to-cost reconciliations and analyze cost performance trends, comparing actuals against forecasts and mitigation plans.
Participate in change management and risk assessment meetings to evaluate cost-related trends, risks, and exposures — contributing to proactive mitigation strategies.
Prepare and validate contract amendment exhibits, task order requests, and change orders/PBAs, ensuring proper budget allocation, cost coding accuracy, and compliance with reporting standards.
Collaborate with scheduling teams to assess the impact of cash flow and schedule performance on project costs, identifying variances, overruns/underruns, and forecasting issues.
Examine staffing plans to identify resource demand peaks and recommend cost-effective leveling strategies to reduce financial strain.
Generate and deliver tailored financial, budget, and schedule reports for campus-specific budgeting, cost control, auditing, and asset tracking in response to CPD and PMO directives.
Serve as the primary point of contact for college financial information requests from CPLT and the PMO; collaborate to validate project budget data and develop accurate dashboard reports.
Partner with Project and Construction Managers to draft white papers supporting project establishment, re-baselining, and capital funding requests.