Project Controls Manager - PMO

Position Overview

Nscale's North American Data Center Infrastructure (DCI) group is delivering large-scale, high-density data center campuses on demanding timelines. The Project Controls group gives every project a clear, honest view of cost, schedule, and risk.

The Project Controls Manager owns project controls for one or more DCI projects from development through handover. This role leads the project-level controls team (cost, scheduling, and planning), integrates cost and schedule into a single performance picture, and makes sure Project Directors and leadership have the information they need to make good decisions early.

Key Responsibilities

• Project controls leadership: Lead and mentor the project-level controls team, including Cost Managers, Schedulers, and Planners; assign work, review outputs, and maintain quality standards.
• Baseline development: Develop and maintain the project control baseline — WBS, cost breakdown structure, budget, and integrated schedule — in line with the DCI project controls framework.
• Performance measurement: Run earned value analysis and integrate cost and schedule data to report progress, productivity, variances, and forecasts at completion.
• Reporting: Produce weekly and monthly project reports and dashboards for Project Directors and the Director, Project Controls, highlighting trends, risks, and recommended actions.
• Change management: Administer the change control process, including trend logs, change requests, and contractor change orders, and assess cost and schedule impacts before approval.
• Risk management: Facilitate risk workshops, maintain the project risk register, and support quantitative cost and schedule risk analysis and contingency management.
• Contractor oversight: Review contractor schedules, progress measurement, and payment applications; verify progress claims and hold contractors to contractual reporting requirements.
• Forecasting and cash flow: Partner with Finance on monthly forecasts, accruals, cash flow projections, and capitalization.
• Continuous improvement: Capture lessons learned and contribute to the evolution of DCI controls standards, templates, and systems.

Qualifications

Required

• 10+ years of project controls experience on large construction or capital projects, including at least 3 years in a lead or management role.
• Experience on mission-critical or complex facilities, such as data centers, power generation, substations, or advanced manufacturing.
• Strong working knowledge of CPM scheduling, cost control, earned value management, and change management.
• Ability to interpret and challenge contractor schedules, cost reports, and progress claims.
• Clear, concise written and verbal communication, including presenting to senior stakeholders.
• Bachelor's degree in Construction Management, Engineering, Quantity Surveying, or a related field, or equivalent experience.

Preferred

• Hyperscale or colocation data center experience, including MEP-heavy and phased delivery.
• AACE (PSP, CCP, EVP) or PMP certification.
• Owner-side or owner's representative project controls experience.
• Experience standing up controls on a new project or in a growing organization.

Character & Conduct

What We Value Most: Character & Conduct Technical skills can be taught. Character cannot. At Nscale, we're looking for people who show up with integrity, treat others with respect, and take genuine ownership of their work. As a senior leader on the program, this individual also sets the tone for every direct report and site team they oversee. The following traits matter as much to us as any credential or years of experience: Integrity — does the right thing even when no one is watching; never misrepresents status, costs, or progress to protect themselves or their team Ownership mentality — treats the program as their own and holds themselves and their direct reports accountable without being told Respectful under pressure — stays composed and professional with contractors, trades, direct reports, and internal Nscale teams regardless of the circumstances Transparent communicator — surfaces problems early and honestly, never buries bad news, and expects the same from the teams they lead Team-first attitude — ego stays at the gate; the program and the people on it come first Reliable and consistent — shows up prepared, follows through on commitments, and does what they say they will do We actively seek references that speak to a candidate's character, not just their technical output.

Tools & Software

• Primavera P6 (required)
• Cost management platforms (e.g., EcoSys, Procore, or similar)
• Risk analysis tools (e.g., Safran Risk, Acumen Risk, or Primavera Risk Analysis)
• Power BI or similar reporting / dashboard tools
• Advanced Microsoft Excel and the Microsoft 365 suite

Work Environment & Schedule

• Hybrid role based in North America, with regular travel (approximately 25–50%) to active DCI project sites; extended site assignments may be required during key project phases.
• Fast-paced construction environment with tight milestones; occasional work outside standard hours to support reporting cycles and critical project events.
• Site visits require adherence to all Nscale and contractor safety programs and use of appropriate PPE.

Salary Range 120000 - 200000 USD