Cost Controls Specialist

Jacobs; Ottawa; Hybrid; CAD 90,000 - 130,000; Full time

Job summary

Jacobs is seeking a Cost Controls Specialist to manage budgets, forecasts, and cost reporting across Canada. You will support project controls, collaborate with PMs and finance, and ensure accurate forecasting and reporting to enable informed decisions.

The role emphasizes earned value management, cost control, and working within a hybrid environment across Canada, with a focus on delivering rigorous financial management and continual process improvements.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in a related field.
• 5–12 years of experience in cost control or project controls.
• Experience supporting engineering, construction, infrastructure, or related projects.
• Strong budgeting, forecasting, cost reporting, and project financial management knowledge.
• Excellent analytical, organizational, and problem-solving skills.
• Strong verbal and written communication skills.
• Ability to manage multiple priorities in a fast-paced project environment.

Responsibilities

• Develop, maintain, and monitor project budgets, commitments, actual costs, and forecasts.
• Prepare Estimates at Completion (EACs) and cash flow forecasts.
• Track expenditures and analyze variances against budgets and baselines.
• Support WBS and cost coding structure development and maintenance.
• Prepare monthly cost performance reports and dashboards for management and clients.
• Analyze financial data to identify trends, risks, and opportunities.
• Evaluate cost impact of scope changes and contract modifications.

Skills

Budgeting

Forecasting

Cost control

Cost reporting

Earned value

Data analysis

Communication

Collaboration

Education

Bachelor's degree in Engineering/Construction Management/Business/Accounting/Finance

Tools

SAP

Oracle

Deltek

Job description

At Jacobs, we're challenging today to reinvent tomorrow by solving the world's most critical problems for thriving cities, resilient environments, mission-critical outcomes, operational advancement, scientific discovery and cutting-edge manufacturing, turning abstract ideas into realities that transform the world for good.

Your impact

At Jacobs, we challenge today to reinvent tomorrow by solving the world's most critical infrastructure, environmental, and advanced facilities challenges. As a Cost Controls Specialist, you will provide cost management expertise to support the successful delivery of projects across Canada. You will work closely with project teams to monitor budgets, analyze financial performance, forecast project costs, and provide reporting that supports informed decision-making and successful project execution.

Key Responsibilities

• Develop, maintain, and monitor project budgets, commitments, actual costs, and forecasts.
• Prepare and update Estimates at Completion (EACs), cash flow forecasts, and cost reports.
• Track project expenditures and analyze variances against approved budgets and project baselines.
• Support the development and maintenance of Work Breakdown Structures (WBS) and cost coding structures.
• Prepare monthly cost performance reports and dashboards for project management and clients.
• Analyze project financial data to identify trends, risks, and opportunities.
• Support change management processes by evaluating the cost impact of scope changes and contract modifications.
• Collaborate with Project Managers, Finance, Procurement, and Project Controls teams to ensure accurate forecasting and reporting.
• Assist with earned value analysis and project performance measurement.
• Participate in project reviews, audits, and forecasting cycles.
• Ensure compliance with company procedures, contractual requirements, and project controls best practices.
• Support continuous improvement initiatives related to cost management and reporting processes.
• Management of transactional records of consultant, subconsultants and expenses
• Compile internal documentation and approvals
• Drive invoicing process
• Strong attention to detail at a granular level

Here's what you'll need

• Bachelor's degree or diploma in Engineering, Construction Management, Business Administration, Accounting, Finance, or a related field.
• 5 to 12 years of experience in cost control and/or project controls
• Experience supporting engineering, construction, infrastructure, industrial, or related projects.
• Strong knowledge of budgeting, forecasting, cost reporting, and project financial management.
• Excellent analytical, organizational, and problem-solving skills.
• Strong verbal and written communication skills.
• Ability to manage multiple priorities in a fast-paced project environment.

Ideally you'll also have

• Experience with ERP systems such as SAP, Oracle, or Deltek.
• Knowledge of Earned Value Management (EVM) principles.
• Professional certifications such as PMP, CCP, or AACE certifications are considered an asset.
• Experience working within a consulting or engineering environment.

Posted Salary Range Minimum

90,000.00

Posted Salary Range Upper

130,000.00

The base salary range for this position is $90,000.00 to $130,000.00. This range reflects the minimum and maximum target for new hire salaries for the position across British Columbia, Canada locations. Within the range, individual pay is determined by work location and additional factors, including job-related skills, experience, and relevant education or training.

We value collaboration and believe that in-person interactions are crucial for both our culture and client delivery. We empower employees with our hybrid working policy, allowing them to split their work week between Jacobs offices/projects and remote locations enabling them to deliver their best work.

Your application experience is important to us, and we’re keen to adapt to make every interaction even better. If you require further support or reasonable adjustments with regards to the recruitment process (for example, you require the application form in a different format), please contact the team via Careers Support.