Director, Construction Project Controls

Meow Wolf

New Mexico

On-site

USD 121,000 - 168,000

Full time

14 days+

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Benefits offered by this job

Medical Insurance PPO/HDHP

Dental & Vision Insurance

HSA, HRA, and FSA options

401k Retirement Plan

Company paid Life Insurance

Paid Parental Leave for 12 weeks

Admission to Meow Wolf attractions for

Job summary

Meow Wolf in Santa Fe, NM seeks a Director of Project Controls to lead the estimating, budgeting, and scheduling functions across large, complex projects. The role requires aligning the creative vision with financial feasibility and building scalable processes.

The candidate will oversee a cross-functional team, drive risk analysis, and report project health to senior leadership while supporting growth in a hybrid work environment with on-site and remote elements.

Qualifications

10+ years in project controls, estimating, or scheduling in construction or themed entertainment.
Experience leading diverse teams and managing stakeholders.
Experience overseeing domestic and international projects.
Strong analytical and communication skills.
Ability to balance scope, schedule and budget with creative goals.

Responsibilities

Lead the Project Controls Team across estimating, budgeting, and scheduling.
Mentor and develop managers and professionals.
Establish standardized project controls procedures and cost databases.
Collaborate with Project Leadership, Creative, Finance, Show, and Operations.
Translate business goals into actionable project plans and risk analyses.
Report project health and escalate risks to leadership.
Implement best practices and leverage new tools to improve delivery.
Build historical cost database and benchmarking library.

Skills

Project management

Leadership

Estimating

Scheduling

Budgeting

Risk management

Stakeholder collaboration

Primavera P6

Education

Bachelor's degree in a related field

Tools

Autodesk Construction Cloud

Google Workspace

Job description

Privacy Notice for California Applicants and Employees Applicants must be currently authorized to work in the United States on a full-time basis. We are unable to sponsor or take over sponsorship of an employment Visa at this time. Meow Wolf opens portals of possibility. Come as you are! We are individuals who inspire creativity in people's lives through art and exploration, so that our combined imaginations can transform the world we live in. We create immersive and interactive experiences that transport audiences into fantastic realms of story and exploration. Our Vision is to be the world’s leading creative company, reimagining the paradigm of art and storytelling, to make a positive difference in the world. We share a strong commitment to Belonging through our values of:

Collaborative Creativity: We believe the act of creating together amplifies possibilities.
Provocative Playfulness: We celebrate the unexpected because it is the doorway to discovery.
Outsiders Welcome: We are all outsiders at heart, and we create space for everyone to feel like they belong.
Authentic Compassion: We are “kind punks” - supportive to each other and standing up for what we believe in.
Audacious Courage: We have the courage to radically reinvent ourselves to push the boundaries of art.

If this all sounds like YOU, read on…

Job Description

DIRECTOR OF PROJECT CONTROLS

Job Disclosures

Location: (On-site) Santa Fe, NM or remote, providing the candidate lives in one of the following markets: Denver CO, Las Vegas NV, Dallas TX, Houston TX or Los Angeles, CA

Compensation: The annual salary range for this position is $121,391-$167,520. “Off-scale salaries” and other components of pay, i.e., a salary that is higher than the published system-wide salary at the designated position grade, are offered when necessary to meet competitive conditions.

Deadline: The deadline for applications for this position is August 17, 2026. Meow Wolf reserves the right to extend this deadline if necessary.

Job Summary

The Director of Project Controls oversees and manages the Project Controls Team in each of their subject matter areas: Planning and Estimating. This leader is responsible for the successful planning and delivery of large, complex, multi-disciplined projects, providing leadership to strategically manage risks against scope, schedule, and budget. The role oversees the estimating and scheduling functions across the full project lifecycle, ensuring accuracy, consistency, and alignment with creative vision and financial feasibility.

Key Responsibilities

Lead the Project Controls Team, providing oversight for project-specific estimating, budgeting, and scheduling across the full project lifecycle, from early ideation through delivery.
Supervise, mentor, and actively develop a high-performing and scalable team of managers and professionals, including the Scheduling/Planning Manager and Estimating Manager.
Establish and maintain standardized project controls procedures, tools, and cost databases to ensure accuracy and consistency across all projects, including the development and validation of Work Breakdown Structures (WBS), scope documents, and cost forecasts.
Collaborate closely with Project Leadership, Creative, Finance, Show, and Operations to align project strategies with company priorities and ensure the creative vision aligns with financial feasibility.
Translate high-level business goals into actionable project plans and actively partner with leadership to develop comprehensive risk registers and incorporate schedule/cost risk analyses into project baselines.
Report on the health of the project to Project Leadership, providing high-level reports, presentations, and scenario analyses, and serving as the main point of contact for escalating critical risks and concerns within the Project.
Implement best practices, continuously evaluate project delivery methodologies, and leverage emerging tools and technologies to enhance productivity in delivery.
Build and maintain a historical cost database and benchmarking library to continuously improve accuracy and inform strategic decision-making.

Required Qualifications

Deep understanding of project management methodologies and managing diverse internal and external stakeholders.
Demonstrated experience in overseeing estimating, scheduling/planning, or cost control, preferably 10+ years in construction or themed entertainment.
Strong experience in overseeing domestic and international multi-faceted projects
Proven leadership experience in managing project management professionals and building high-performing teams.
Proficiency with core industry tools such as P6, Autodesk Construction Cloud, and Google Suite.
Excellent interpersonal, written, and oral communication skills with the ability to partner with creative and executive leadership.
Experience in domestic and international multi-faceted projects.
Solid understanding of business drivers and market conditions.
Strong analytical skills.
Proven track record in meeting aggressive schedules; clearly defining deliverables and timetables with demonstrated ability to balance multiple priorities in complex environments to successful project completion.
Strong work ethic and high level of confidentiality using good judgement and an exceptional sense of accountability.

Work Environment and Physical Demands

To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily. The requirements listed must be representative of the knowledge, skills, minimum education, training, licensure, experience, and/or ability required.

Work Environment

This role operates in a combination of office, remote, and occasional on-site project environments. The position requires close collaboration with cross-functional teams, including finance, operations, project management, and external vendors or contractors. The work environment is fast-paced and deadline-driven, with responsibilities that include cost estimating, forecasting, scheduling, and project performance tracking. The role may require periodic site visits to support project planning and execution, which can involve exposure to active construction or installation environments. Flexibility is required to manage shifting priorities and project timelines.

Physical Demands

This role is primarily sedentary and requires extended periods of sitting, working at a computer, and analyzing data. The position also involves occasional standing, walking, and site visits, which may require navigating uneven surfaces, construction areas, or exhibition spaces. Minimal lifting (typically up to 20 pounds) may be required. The role requires the ability to communicate effectively, including speaking, listening, and reviewing detailed reports and documentation. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions of the position.

The employee will comply with company and OSHA standard workplace safety protocols. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

Work Schedule

This is a full-time position averaging 40 hours a week, Monday to Friday, 9am to 5pm MT or 10am to 6pm MST – occasionally requiring flexibility to work during evenings or weekends based on business needs, as well as travel to off-site locations depending on the role and need.

Supervisor Responsibilities

This position does require supervisory responsibility.

Travel

This position will require some travel (10%-25%).

Other Duties

Please note this job description is not designed to cover or contain a comprehensive listing of activities, duties or responsibilities that are required of the employee for this job. Duties, responsibilities, and activities may change at any time with or without notice.

Meow Wolf will consider qualified applicants with criminal histories in a manner consistent with applicable law, including the City of Los Angeles Fair Chance Ordinance.

IMPACT:

Meow Wolf is committed to our DIY roots and grassroots community support principles. To document that commitment, we converted our legal designation into a Delaware Public Benefit Corporation and have certified as a B Corporation. As a B Corp, we have a triple bottom line of supporting financial, social and environmental wellbeing in our community.

INCLUSION:

Meow Wolf is an equal opportunity employer and prohibits discrimination and harassment of any kind. We are committed to ensuring all employees enjoy and thrive in a work environment where differences make us the vibrant, wonderful community we are! All employment decisions at Meow Wolf are based on business need, job requirements, and individual qualifications, without regard to race, color, ancestry, national origin, gender, pregnancy, sexual orientation, marital status, religion, age, disability, gender identity, results of genetic testing, veteran status, service in the military or any other characteristic protected by federal, state or local law.

Benefits