Cost Controller

ACTalent; Manchester (NH); Hybrid; USD 86,000 - 106,000; Full time

Job summary

Actalent, a global engineering and sciences services leader, seeks a Project Cost Controller in Manchester, NH. The role manages budgets, forecasts, commitments, and actual expenditures across complex projects, delivering clear insights to leadership and customers.

You will collaborate with Project Managers and teams to maintain accurate cost information, support change management, and ensure robust project controls and financial reporting. Hybrid work with onsite and remote days.

Qualifications

• 8+ years in project controls/cost engineering.
• Budgeting and forecasting expertise.
• Variance analysis and cost reporting.
• Data analysis of large datasets.
• Customer-facing communication skills.
• Construction/project cost control experience.
• Strong understanding of financial performance metrics.
• Experience presenting to leadership and customers.

Responsibilities

• Manage and monitor project costs, budgets, commitments, forecasts, and actuals.
• Analyze cost data to identify trends, risks, and financial impacts.
• Develop and maintain cost forecasts to support planning and decision-making.
• Prepare cost reports for leadership and customers with clarity.
• Meet with customers to discuss cost performance, forecasts, and risks.

Skills

Budgeting & Forecasting

Cost Tracking

Variance Analysis

Data Interpretation

Communication with Leadership

Project Controls

Cost Reporting

Customer-facing Communication

Analytical Thinking

Job description

Job Description

The Project Cost Controller manages and monitors all financial aspects of complex projects, including budgets, commitments, forecasts, and actual expenditures. This role focuses on analyzing project cost data, identifying trends and risks, and providing clear, actionable insights to project leadership and customers. The Project Cost Controller works closely with project teams to maintain accurate cost information, support change management, and ensure robust project controls and financial reporting.

Job Title: Project Cost Controller

The Project Cost Controller manages and monitors all financial aspects of complex projects, including budgets, commitments, forecasts, and actual expenditures. This role focuses on analyzing project cost data, identifying trends and risks, and providing clear, actionable insights to project leadership and customers. The Project Cost Controller works closely with project teams to maintain accurate cost information, support change management, and ensure robust project controls and financial reporting.

Responsibilities

• Manage and monitor project costs, budgets, commitments, forecasts, and actual expenditures throughout the project lifecycle.
• Analyze project cost data to identify trends, risks, variances, and potential financial impacts on project performance.
• Develop and maintain accurate project cost forecasts that support effective planning and decision-making.
• Track budget versus actual costs and provide detailed variance analysis to project leadership and stakeholders.
• Prepare regular project controls and cost reports for project leadership and customers, ensuring accuracy and clarity.
• Meet directly with customers to provide project updates and explain cost performance, forecasts, and potential risks.
• Collaborate closely with Project Managers and other project stakeholders to maintain accurate and up-to-date cost information.
• Analyze large, complex data sets and translate findings into clear, actionable information for the project team.
• Support change management processes by evaluating and communicating the cost impact of project changes.
• Assist with financial reporting and contribute to the overall project controls processes and methodologies.

Essential Skills

• 8+ years of experience in project controls, cost controls, or cost engineering.
• Strong experience with project budgeting, forecasting, cost tracking, and variance analysis.
• High-level analytical ability with advanced analytical and statistical skills to interpret large, complex data sets.
• Proven background in project controls and cost controls, including budgeting, forecasting, variance analysis, and cost reporting.
• Strong understanding of project controls processes and financial performance metrics.
• Cost analysis expertise, including job costing and cost control in complex project environments.
• Construction and construction management experience related to project cost control.
• Ability to analyze complex project data and confidently explain results to customers and senior leadership.
• Strong communication skills with the ability to translate complex cost data into clear, actionable information for technical and non-technical audiences.
• Experience developing cost reports and presenting project financial information directly to customers and senior leadership.

Additional Skills & Qualifications

• Experience working within construction, engineering, manufacturing, industrial, or other complex project environments.
• Demonstrated ability to work effectively with Project Managers and cross-functional project stakeholders.
• Client-facing communication skills with the ability to build trust and credibility through clear financial explanations.
• Comfort working with large data sets and using analytical tools or methods to derive insights for project controls.

Work Environment

This role follows a hybrid work arrangement, with four days spent onsite and one day worked remotely each week. The position operates in complex project environments such as construction, engineering, manufacturing, or industrial settings, requiring close collaboration with project teams, leadership, and customers. The work involves regular interaction with project data, financial reports, and project controls tools, as well as participation in meetings to discuss cost performance, forecasts, and risks.

Job Type & Location

This is a Contract to Hire position based out of Manchester, NH.

Pay And Benefits

The pay range for this position is $62.50 - $76.92/hr.

Individual compensation offered for this position within this range will depend on many factors, including qualifications, skills, relevant experience, job knowledge, geographic location, internal equity, and other pertinent job-related factors.

Eligibility requirements apply to some benefits and may depend on your job classification and length of employment. Benefits are subject to change and may be subject to specific elections, plan, or program terms. If eligible, the benefits available for this temporary role may include the following: Medical, dental & vision Critical Illness, Accident, and Hospital 401(k) Retirement Plan Pre-tax and Roth post-tax contributions available Life Insurance (Voluntary Life & AD&D for the employee and dependents) Short and long-term disability Health Spending Account (HSA) Transportation benefits Employee Assistance Program Time Off/Leave (PTO, Vacation or Sick Leave)

Job Type & Location

This is a Contract to Hire position based out of Manchester, NH.

Application Deadline

This position is anticipated to close on Nov 27, 2026.

Workplace Type

This is a hybrid position in Manchester,NH.

About Actalent

Actalent is a global leader in engineering and sciences services and talent solutions. We help visionary companies advance their engineering and science initiatives through access to specialized experts who drive scale, innovation and speed to market. With a network of almost 20,000 consultants and 5,000 clients across the U.S., Canada, Asia and Europe, Actalent serves many of the Fortune 500. We are proud to be an Engineering News-Record (ENR) Top 500 Design Firm for our engineering design services and a ClearlyRated Best of Staffing® winner for both client and talent service.

The company is an equal opportunity employer and will consider all applications without regard to race, sex, age, color, religion, national origin, veteran status, disability, sexual orientation, gender identity, genetic information or any characteristic protected by law.

If you would like to request a reasonable accommodation, such as the modification or adjustment of the job application process or interviewing process due to a disability, please email [e-mail] for other accommodation options.

San Francisco Fair Chance Ordinance:

Pursuant to the San Francisco Fair Chance Ordinance, for all positions located in the city and county of San Francisco, we will consider for employment qualified applicants with arrest and conviction records.

Massachusetts Lie Detector:

It is unlawful in Massachusetts to require or administer a lie detector test as a condition of employment or continued employment. An employer who violates this law shall be subject to criminal penalties and civil liability.

Use of Artificial Intelligence (AI):

We may use Artificial Intelligence (AI) to support parts of our hiring process, including sourcing, screening, and evaluating candidates. AI helps assess applications and qualifications, but final decisions are made by our hiring team. By applying, you acknowledge and agree that your application may be reviewed using AI tools.