Senior Project Controls Manager

POSITION SUMMARY

The Sr Project Controls Manager position is responsible for providing project management with Quantity, Earned Value progress, Cost and Cost Forecast information to make the best decisions possible to achieve project goals. The Sr Project Controls Manager oversees several key project functions, which require accurate reporting of cost and cost projections, production of timely and accurate data, and delivery of key documentation to field supervision. Information produced under the direction of the Sr Project Controls Manager is typically analyzed with recommendations developed prior to wider communication to project and corporate management. 

The Sr Project Controls Manager serves as the primary auditor interface, supports issue resolution across engineering, procurement, and construction teams, and oversees coaching, mentoring, and development of project controls staff.

PRIMARY POSITION OBJECTIVE

• Provide accurate and timely cost, progress, earned value, and forecast data to support sound project management decisions.

• Maintain control over project quantities, baselines, schedule performance, and cost code time charging.

• Lead the implementation and governance of corporate RBPs and SOPs.

• Ensure contract requirements are understood and adhered to and that all required documentation is maintained.

• Identify and manage project risks and opportunities; oversee risk analysis activities.

• Lead, develop, and mentor Project Controls staff.

REQUIREMENTS

Education

• Required: Bachelor’s degree with 10+ years of industry experience OR 12+ years of relevant industry experience.

Preferred: Bachelor’s degree in engineering, Construction Management, Business, or related field.

Experience

• Required: Over 5 years of project controls leadership experience.
• Preferred: 8–10+ years of project controls experience in engineering, procurement, or construction environments.

SKILLS & COMPETENCIES

• Strong analytical and problem‑solving skills.
• Advanced proficiency in Microsoft Excel, Word, PowerPoint, Access; Power BI; scheduling software (e.g., Primavera P6); cost and earned value systems; document control systems.
• Strong written and verbal communication skills.
• Ability to lead teams and communicate with project staff, leadership, and clients.
• Strong organizational and decision-making abilities.

WORK ENVIRONMENT & PHYSICAL DEMANDS

• General office environment with occasional exposure to construction site conditions.

• Frequent use of computers, calculators, printers, and other office equipment.

• Requires close vision, color perception, and ability to adjust focus.

• Occasional lifting up to 25 pounds.

• Fast-paced and variable work environment.

ZACHRY is dedicated to providing a Safe and Drug-Free work environment and is an Equal Opportunity Employer.

Additional Information

Relocation Requirement: Must be willing and able to relocate to a project location anywhere within the United States.

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RESPONSIBILITIES

Project Controls Leadership

• Lead the Planning, Cost, Scheduling, and Change Management teams; oversee daily operations, staffing, performance reviews, and talent planning.
• Ensure full implementation of Project Controls processes, RBPs, and SOPs at the site and verify compliance periodically.
• Serve as a key partner to engineering, field supervision, design engineers, subcontracting, material management, procurement, and the client.

Cost & Forecasting

• Oversee all cost reporting, projections, and variance analysis on weekly and monthly cycles.
• Ensure proper cost code structure, standardized cost codes, and correct time‑charging.
• Lead the Earned Value Program and ensure accurate progress validation and utilization of quantity tracking software.

Planning & Scheduling

• Oversee the full development, baselining, updating, and re‑baselining of schedules; approve recovery plans when needed.
• Ensure scheduling RBPs and SOPs are followed and that weekly/monthly schedule deliverables are met.
• Ensure schedule files are archived in the Data Lake. 

Change Management

• Review and approve all back charges and change orders prior to submission to vendors or the client.
• Ensure proper documentation and tracking of contractual changes and initiate correspondence as needed.

Quantities, AWP & Progress Tracking

• Ensure Advance Work Packaging (AWP) is fully implemented and followed.
• Validate engineering material takeoffs, electronic downloads, and material quantities.
• Establish and maintain an installed‑quantity tracking system and compare engineering quantities to estimates.
• Maintain the project progress baseline.

Reporting & Communication

• Produce and/or review all internal and external weekly and monthly reporting, including cost, schedule, change management, progress/commodity curves, photos, and narratives.
• Attend and lead cost reviews, change order meetings, client meetings, war rooms, and executive‑level presentations.
• Serve as primary point of contact for project audits.

Risk & Opportunity

• Lead project risk and opportunity identification, evaluation, reporting, and specialized risk analysis studies.