Construction Project Controls Specialist IV (Cost Analyst)

CMP Services; Los Angeles (CA); On-site; USD 80,000 - 120,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading project controls firm is seeking a Construction Project Controls Specialist IV in Los Angeles to oversee project budgets and costs. This role entails ensuring financial accuracy and compliance, conducting cost variance analyses, and collaborating with project managers. Ideal candidates will have 7-10 years of experience in project controls and a relevant degree. Proficiency in tools like e-Builder and a strong analytical background are necessary for success in this fast-paced environment.

Qualifications

• 7 - 10 years of experience in project controls, especially in capital construction.
• Strong ability to organize and interpret complex financial data.
• Proficient in financial modeling and advanced Excel functions.

Responsibilities

• Oversee accuracy of project budgets and forecasts.
• Participate in monthly EAC meetings.
• Conduct thorough cost variance analyses.

Skills

Analytical capabilities

Advanced Excel functions

Attention to detail

Problem-solving skills

Communication skills

Business acumen

Education

BS/BA Degree in Business Administration, Engineering, Project Management, or related degree

Tools

e-Builder

DELTEK

Proliance

Power BI

Tableau

Job description

CMP Services is seeking a Construction Project Controls Specialist IV (Cost Analyst) to support our client Los Angeles Community College District (LACCD) This role is responsible for overseeing project budgets, forecasts, and cost controls for capital construction programs, ensuring financial accuracy, compliance, and alignment with funding objectives. The position plays a key role in EAC validation, change and risk management, cost variance analysis, and financial reporting, working closely with project and construction managers to support informed decision‑making in a fast‑paced environment.

Position Description

• Oversee the integrity and accuracy of project budgets and forecasts in compliance with approved standard operating procedures.
• Actively participate in monthly EAC (Estimate at Completion) meetings, ensuring accurate validation, reviewing current EACs, and providing justification for any variances.
• Contribute to change management discussions by identifying emerging trends, risks, and exposure factors.
• Engage in Risk Assessment workshops, offering insights on potential financial impacts and identifying mitigation strategies.
• Conduct thorough cost variance analyses to identify trends and proactively address any potential budget impacts.
• Continuously monitor trends and associated mitigation plans, comparing projected versus actual performance over time.
• Review project budgets and expenditures, ensuring alignment with diverse funding sources and financial goals.
• Collaborate closely with schedulers to evaluate cost and schedule performance, identifying cost overruns, delays, and variances in planned versus actual expenditures.
• Review and analyze monthly cost reports and progress reports to ensure alignment with project financial objectives.
• Analyze staffing plans to identify potential cost impacts, such as excessive peaks, and provide recommendations for optimizing resource allocation.
• Validate cost coding and budget allocations for contract change orders and amendments, assessing potential impacts on project timelines and financials.
• Ensure that contracts, purchase orders, task order, change orders, and amendments are accurately budgeted and reported, with proper cost coding and financial oversight.
• Enforce cost management policies and procedures for capital projects, especially those with multiple funding sources.
• Allocate Estimate to Complete (ETC) amounts as required for PBA (Project Budget Adjustments), change orders, and other financial adjustments.
• Manage and monitor ETCs for each project to ensure timely and accurate tracking of financial changes.
• Create comprehensive reports related to budgeting, cost control, auditing, and asset tracking, utilizing systems like e-Builder, Proliance, DELTEK, and other relevant platforms used by the Program Management Office.
• Work closely with Project Managers and Construction Managers to maintain data coding structures, project control tools, and high-quality data for budgets, contracts, change orders, trends, and actual costs.
• Conduct budget and financial reconciliations, ensuring alignment between project forecasts, expenditures, and actual costs. Address discrepancies and implement corrective actions as necessary.
• Support management with the preparation of regular budget and cost reports, ensuring clarity and accuracy.
• Assist with preparing regular and ad hoc reports on project budgets, financial status, and forecasting for senior leadership.
• Provide support for weekly/monthly cost and status reports, keeping project teams informed of financial performance.
• Perform necessary data entry tasks related to budget and forecast updates.
• Develop and maintain change management logs in accordance with established processes and procedures.
• Travel to offsite project locations as required.
• Undertake additional duties and special projects assigned.

Minimum Required Qualifications

• 7 - 10 years minimum recent professional experience in project controls, particularly on a capital construction program.
• BS/BA Degree in Business Administration, Engineering, Project Management, Construction Management, and/or related degree. Additional years of qualifying experience in excess to the minimum stated above may be substituted in lieu of formal education.
• Strong analytical capabilities, with the ability to organize and interpret complex financial data.
• Proficiency in financial modeling and advanced Excel functions.
• Exceptional attention to detail, ensuring accuracy in data analysis and reporting.
• Advanced problem-solving skills and a strategic approach to financial management.
• Ability to communicate complex financial concepts clearly to non-financial stakeholders.
• Proven track record of working independently and meeting tight deadlines.
• Strong business acumen and understanding of organizational financial goals and objectives.
• Comfortable working in a fast-paced, dynamic environment.
• Proficiency in using Microsoft Office applications, including Word, Excel, PowerPoint, and Outlook, and the ability to perform tasks such as creating documents, analyzing data, preparing presentations, and managing emails efficiently is expected.

Preferred Qualifications

• Advanced proficiency with program management software including e-Builder, DELTEK, Proliance, and other related platforms, with demonstrated ability to leverage these tools for complex costmanagement, project tracking, and data reporting.
• Expertise in business intelligence and analytics tools, specifically Power BI and/or Tableau, for the creation of comprehensive, real-time cost reports, dashboards, and visualizations that facilitate strategic decision-making.
• Hands-on experience with Data Warehousing solutions, demonstrating the ability to integrate and manage large volumes of financial and project data for analytical purposes and reporting.
• Strong understanding of cost control and budgeting principles within the context of large-scale projects, with a proven track record of utilizing specialized software to streamline cost analysis, forecasting, and variance reporting.
• In-depth knowledge of project management methodologies and the ability to collaborate with cross-functional teams to develop and maintain accurate project cost baselines, financial projections, and cost forecasts.
• Demonstrated ability to integrate multiple data sources from various project management and financial systems to create cohesive and accurate financial reports for stakeholders.
• Ability to troubleshoot and resolve system integration issues across project management software and financial reporting tools, ensuring seamless data flow and accuracy in financial reporting.