Project Controls Analyst

POSITION PURPOSE

The Project Controls Analyst supports assigned projects by maintaining accurate, timely, and integrated cost and schedule information. Reporting to the Senior Project Controller, this role works closely with project managers, engineering, procurement, manufacturing, construction, finance, and other stakeholders to improve visibility into project performance and support informed decision-making.

The position is responsible for both cost and schedule control, including budget and forecast updates, commitment and actual cost analysis, progress measurement, schedule maintenance, variance analysis, change tracking, and project reporting. The Analyst helps ensure that project data is complete, reconciled, and aligned across approved systems and reports.

The successful candidate will combine strong analytical skills, attention to detail, and practical knowledge of project execution. This role requires the ability to identify emerging trends, communicate issues clearly, and follow through on the actions needed to keep cost and schedule information reliable and decision-ready.

WHY THIS ROLE MATTERS

Reliable project controls depend on disciplined, day-to-day management of cost and schedule data. The Project Controls Analyst provides the detailed analysis and reporting needed to identify issues early, support corrective action, and improve the consistency of project performance management across Operations.

• You will connect cost and schedule information to provide a clear, integrated view of project performance.
• You will help project teams identify variances, risks, and data gaps before they become larger execution issues.
• You will improve the accuracy, consistency, and timeliness of forecasts, schedules, and project reports.
• You will support the development of repeatable project controls standards, tools, and reporting practices.

WHO WILL THRIVE IN THIS ROLE

This role is well suited for an analytical, detail-oriented professional who enjoys working directly with project data and collaborating with project teams. The ideal candidate can move comfortably between cost reports, schedules, forecasts, dashboards, and action logs while keeping the broader project objectives in view.

• You are comfortable reconciling detailed cost and schedule data and investigating inconsistencies.
• You can identify trends, explain variances, and communicate what the data means to project stakeholders.
• You manage recurring deadlines effectively and follow through on missing information and open actions.
• You value consistent processes, reliable data, practical tools, and continuous improvement.

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS AND BASIC DUTIES

Under the direction of the Senior Project Controller, the Project Controls Analyst supports the consistent application of cost and schedule controls across assigned projects. Key responsibilities include:

• Maintain project cost controls and approved baselines. Track approved budgets, commitments, actual costs, accruals, contingency, margin, and estimate at completion (EAC); reconcile project data and investigate discrepancies.
• Maintain and update project schedules. Support schedule development and maintain approved schedule baselines in accordance with established standards, including logic reviews, progress updates, milestone tracking, critical path analysis, lookaheads, and recovery planning.
• Integrate cost and schedule performance. Align progress, EAC, and schedule information to provide a consistent view of project status and expected outcomes.
• Analyze performance and variances. Use trend analysis, earned value concepts, productivity measures, and variance reviews to identify emerging issues and support corrective action.
• Support forecasting and project reviews. Prepare monthly cost and schedule updates, validate assumptions, document forecast changes, and support project status review meetings under the direction of the Senior Project Controller.
• Document changes, risks, resource impacts, and actions. Maintain change logs, risk and opportunity registers, resource-related cost and schedule impacts, and action items; analyze potential effects on project cost, schedule, and milestones for review by the Senior Project Controller and project leadership.
• Deliver decision-ready reporting. Prepare accurate project reports and dashboards that communicate status, trends, variances, forecasted outcomes, and required decisions.
• Maintain data and system discipline. Ensure project information is current, traceable, and aligned across Microsoft Dynamics 365, scheduling tools, Excel, Power BI, Teams, SharePoint, and other approved systems.
• Apply and improve project controls practices. Apply established standards, templates, and procedures and support closeout analysis, lessons learned, and practical process improvements under the direction of the Senior Project Controller.

Education / Certification

• Bachelor’s degree in Engineering, Construction Management, Project Management, Business, Finance, Operations, or a related discipline preferred. Equivalent relevant project controls, cost, scheduling, or project delivery experience may be considered.
• AACE, PMI, or comparable training or certification in cost engineering, scheduling, project management, or earned value management is preferred but not required.

Required Knowledge & Experience

• Minumum of 2 years experience in project controls, cost control, scheduling, project coordination, engineering, construction, manufacturing, industrial projects, EPC, capital projects, or a related project-based environment preferred.
• Working knowledge of cost tracking, forecasting, schedule development and updating, progress measurement, variance analysis, change control, and project reporting required.
• Experience with Microsoft Dynamics 365 Finance & Operations or comparable ERP/project accounting systems preferred; experience with Microsoft Project, Primavera P6, Power BI or similar reporting tools, Microsoft Excel, Teams, SharePoint, and structured document management practices also preferred.
• Experience in engineering, fabrication, construction, industrial services, manufacturing, renewable fuels, energy, infrastructure, or other complex project-based industries preferred.
• Ability to work effectively in a developing project controls environment where standards, reports, data structures, and workflows continue to mature. The successful candidate will apply established practices, follow defined processes, and recommend practical improvements.

Skills / Abilities

• Strong analytical and problem-solving skills with close attention to detail and data quality.
• Ability to connect cost, schedule, scope, progress, risk, and change information into a clear view of project performance.
• Proficiency in Excel and experience with ERP/project accounting, scheduling, and reporting tools.
• Ability to organize recurring reporting cycles, manage deadlines, and follow up on incomplete or conflicting inputs.

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