Project Controls Manager

Jacobs; Riyadh Region; On-site; SAR 420,000 - 640,000; Full time

Job summary

Jacobs in Saudi Arabia is seeking a seasoned Project Controls Manager to lead cost, schedule, and risk management for large-scale Data Centre construction. You will develop integrated master schedules, manage budgets, forecasts, and EAC/ETC, and deliver clear dashboards and reports to senior leadership and clients.

Collaborating with project directors, engineers, and contractors, you’ll drive change control, ensure safety and quality standards, and support decision-making with robust analytics

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Engineering, Construction Management or related field.
• Minimum 15 years of project controls experience on large-scale data centre or complex infra projects.
• Strong expertise in planning, cost control, forecasting, EVM, risk and change management.

Responsibilities

• Develop, maintain, and manage integrated master schedules across all project phases.
• Oversee cost control, budgeting, forecasting, and EAC/ETC reporting.
• Develop project dashboards, KPIs, and executive reporting tools.
• Lead risk and change management processes with registers and mitigation plans.
• Coordinate controls for data centre infrastructures and long-lead equipment.
• Engage with stakeholders to ensure alignment and timely decision making.

Tools

Primavera P6

Oracle Primavera Cloud

Microsoft Project

Power BI

Earned Value Management

Risk Analysis

Change Management

PMP Certification

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

Jacobs is seeking an experienced Project Controls Manager to lead and manage all project controls activities for large-scale Data Centre construction projects. The successful candidate will be responsible for ensuring effective planning, scheduling, cost control, forecasting, risk management, change management, progress measurement, and performance reporting throughout the project lifecycle. This role will work closely with project leadership, engineering teams, contractors, consultants, commissioning specialists, and client stakeholders to ensure projects are delivered safely, on schedule, within budget, and in accordance with quality and operational readiness requirements.

Key Responsibilities

Project Planning and Scheduling

Develop, maintain, and manage integrated master schedules covering all phases of project delivery, including design, procurement, construction, testing, commissioning, and handover. The role is responsible for establishing project baselines, conducting critical path analysis, monitoring schedule performance, identifying potential delays, and implementing mitigation and recovery plans to ensure the successful achievement of project milestones. The successful candidate will facilitate planning sessions and coordinate with multidisciplinary teams to maintain alignment between project objectives and execution strategies.

Cost Management and Forecasting

Oversee all project cost control activities, including budget development, cost tracking, forecasting, accrual management, and financial performance reporting. The role will monitor project expenditures against approved budgets, conduct variance analyses, prepare Estimate-at-Completion (EAC) and Estimate-to-Complete (ETC) forecasts, and provide accurate financial insights to support project decision‑making. Close collaboration with commercial and procurement teams will be required to evaluate variations, claims, and contractual changes while maintaining effective cost governance across the project.

Progress Measurement and Performance Reporting

Manage project performance measurement systems to monitor progress against approved plans and contractual milestones. The role will develop and maintain project dashboards, key performance indicators (KPIs), earned value management metrics, and executive reporting tools that provide clear visibility of project health and performance. The successful candidate will prepare and present comprehensive project reports to senior management and clients, highlighting progress, risks, opportunities, and recommended corrective actions.

Risk and Change Management

The Project Controls Manager will lead project risk and change management processes by identifying, assessing, and mitigating risks that may impact project delivery. The role will facilitate risk workshops, maintain risk and change registers, evaluate schedule and cost impacts, and develop mitigation strategies to minimize potential project disruptions. In addition, the position will manage change control procedures, ensuring all approved changes are properly assessed, documented, incorporated into project baselines, and reflected in project reporting systems.

Data Centre Construction Controls

Manage project controls activities associated with mission‑critical Data Centre infrastructure. This includes monitoring the procurement, delivery, installation, and commissioning of long‑lead equipment such as generators, UPS systems, transformers, switchgear, chillers, cooling systems, and associated MEP infrastructure. The role will track critical milestones related to energization, integrated systems testing (IST), commissioning, operational readiness, and client handover to ensure successful delivery of highly complex and fast‑track Data Centre projects.

Stakeholder Management and Project Coordination

Work closely with project directors, construction managers, engineering teams, contractors, consultants, commissioning specialists, and client representatives to ensure effective communication and alignment across all project functions. The role will participate in project review meetings, provide schedule and cost performance updates, present recovery plans where necessary, and support strategic project decision‑making through accurate and timely project controls information.

Here’s what you’ll need

Qualifications And Experience

Bachelor's Degree in Engineering, Construction Management, Project Management, or a related discipline, together with a minimum of 15 years of project controls experience, including significant experience supporting large‑scale Data Centre, mission‑critical, industrial, or complex infrastructure projects.

Strong expertise in project planning, cost control, forecasting, earned value management, risk analysis, and change management is essential. Advanced proficiency in Primavera P6, Oracle Primavera Cloud, Microsoft Project, Power BI, and related project controls software is required.

Professional certifications such as PMP, PMI‑SP, PSP, CCP, or equivalent will be considered an advantage.

From our inclusive employee networks to our positive mental health champions – we’re committed to driving a culture of caring where you can be you. Joining Jacobs not only connects you locally but globally – and together, our diverse perspectives and unique backgrounds power our collective strength. We collaborate and share! By supporting one another, we all succeed.

With safety and flexibility always top of mind, we’ve gone beyond traditional ways of working so you have the support, means and space to maximize your potential. You’ll uncover flexible working arrangements, benefits and opportunities to do good too – from participating in our global giving and volunteering program, to exploring new and inventive ways to help our clients make the world a better place.

No matter what drives you, you’ll discover how you can cultivate, nurture and achieve your goals – all at a single global company.

Onsite employees are expected to attend a Jacobs Workplace on a full‑time basis, as required by the nature of their role.

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