Project Controls Specialist

Colas Canada; St. Albert; On-site; CAD 75,000 - 95,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading construction firm in Canada is seeking a highly organized Project Controls Specialist to join their Business Performance team. This role is crucial for supporting civil infrastructure projects through expertise in cost control, scheduling, and performance tracking. The ideal candidate has a strong construction project management background and the ability to thrive in a fast-paced environment, collaborating effectively with various teams.

Qualifications

• Minimum 5 years of experience in project controls within the construction industry.
• Experience with earned value management (EVM) and construction cost tracking.
• Certification such as PMP, CCP, or PSP is considered an asset.

Responsibilities

• Track project progress and performance against baseline schedules and budgets.
• Prepare cost reports, forecasts, and variance analyses to support decision-making.
• Collaborate with project managers, estimators, and field teams for accurate reporting.

Skills

Scheduling

Cost Control

Communication Skills

Teamwork and Collaboration

Time Management

Problem‑Solving Skills

Education

Bachelor’s degree in Construction Management, Civil Engineering, or a related field

Tools

Primavera P6

JD Edwards

MS Project

Excel

Power BI

SAP

Job description

Summary

We are looking for a highly organized and analytical Project Controls Specialist to join our Business Performance team. This role plays a vital part in supporting the successful delivery of civil infrastructure projects by providing expertise in cost control, scheduling, forecasting, and performance tracking. The ideal candidate will have a strong background in construction project management and a deep understanding of field operations, contract administration, and project delivery methods.

Key Responsibilities

• Track project progress and performance against baseline schedules and budgets.
• Prepare cost reports, forecasts, and variance analyses to support decision-making.
• Collaborate with project managers, estimators, and field teams to ensure accurate reporting and alignment.
• Develop and maintain detailed construction schedules using Primavera P6 or MS Project.
• Assist in developing project controls framework to gain visibility on projects across multiple divisions.
• Support change order management, risk assessments, and contingency planning.
• Assist in developing Work Breakdown Structures (WBS) and cost coding systems.
• Generate earned value reports and performance metrics for internal and client reporting.
• Ensure compliance with company standards, contract requirements, and industry best practices.
• Assist Legal and Contracts Department with claim management.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Construction Management, Civil Engineering, or a related field.
• Minimum 5 years of experience in project controls within the construction industry.
• Proficiency in scheduling and cost control software (Primavera P6, JD Edwards, MS Project, Excel, Power BI).
• Experience with ERP Systems (SAP, JDE)
• Experience with earned value management (EVM) and construction cost tracking.
• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills for working with field and office teams.
• Ability to work in a fast‑paced environment and manage multiple priorities.
• Certification such as PMP, CCP, or PSP is considered an asset.

Soft Skills

• Communication Skills
• Teamwork and Collaboration
• Time Management
• Adaptability and Flexibility
• Attention to Detail
• Problem‑Solving Skills
• Interpersonal Skills

Working Conditions

• Office environment
• Full‑time Hours
• High Pressure and Deadlines
• Collaborative Work
• Analytical Tasks
• Dynamic Environment