Director, Project Cost Controls

Moss Utilities; Dallas (TX); On-site; USD 140,000 - 190,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical, dental, and vision coverage

Life insurance & disability plans

401(k) with company match

PTO & paid holidays

ESOP ownership

Job summary

Moss Utilities, based in Dallas, seeks a Director of Project Cost Controls to ensure accurate cost reporting, forecast production costs, and drive cost accountability across projects. You will partner with PMs and field teams to address overruns, track material usage, and maintain robust cost-control dashboards.

The role requires 5+ years in cost control within heavy civil or utility construction, advanced Excel and ERP experience, and strong analytical skills.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in CM, CE, accounting, finance, or equivalent practical experience.
• 5+ years in project cost control, job cost accounting, or related construction experience.
• Experience in heavy civil, underground utility, or commercial construction preferred.
• Strong understanding of WIP accounting, percent-complete methodology, over/under billing, and cost-to-complete forecasting.
• Advanced Excel skills and experience with construction ERP systems.
• Ability to read and interpret civil plans, estimates, and unit cost schedules.
• Strong analytical, organizational, communication, and problem-solving skills.
• Ability to travel periodically and hold a valid driver’s license.

Responsibilities

• Oversee company-wide production tracking across water, sanitary sewer, and storm drainage projects.
• Establish consistent production and material tracking standards across projects.
• Monitor field production against budgeted quantities and identify productivity trends or potential margin erosion.
• Track material procurement, usage, commitments, returns, credits, and variances.
• Partner with PMs and field teams to identify and resolve cost overruns, waste, and material discrepancies.
• Support monthly WIP and budget-to-actual reviews for active projects.
• Calculate and monitor cost-to-complete by project and cost code.
• Reconcile production, material, commitments, change orders, accruals, and billing information with the ERP system.
• Prepare clear cost and WIP summaries for executive leadership.
• Maintain accurate documentation and audit trails for financial reporting, surety, banking, and year-end audits.
• Serve as the primary cost-control resource for PMs and Senior PMs.
• Build and maintain standardized cost tracking tools and dashboards.
• Conduct regular budget-to-actual reviews and identify areas requiring corrective action.
• Support After Action Report analysis by comparing estimating assumptions, revised budgets, and actual project results.
• Ensure change orders are accurately reflected in project costs and billing.
• Develop and implement company-wide cost control procedures, tools, and reporting standards.
• Train field supervision and project management teams on production, material, WIP, and cost tracking requirements.
• Monitor adoption and compliance and recommend improvements based on project results and field feedback.
• Continuously improve the flow of information between estimating, field operations, project management, and the ERP system.

Skills

Analytical skills

Organizational skills

Communication skills

Problem-solving skills

Advanced Excel

Education

Bachelor’s degree in Construction Management, Civil Engineering, Accounting, Finance, or equivalent

Tools

Construction ERP systems

Job description

At Moss Utilities, we specialize in underground utility installations across the DFW Metroplex. Our project experience includes commercial, single-family residential, multi-family residential, and public works infrastructure.

Founded in 2016, Moss Utilities carries forward a family legacy in Dallas-Fort Worth utility construction dating back to the early 1900s. As an Employee-Owned company (ESOP), every team member has a stake in our shared success and the future we’re building together.

Position Overview

The Director of Project Cost Controls is responsible for the accuracy, consistency, and timeliness of job cost reporting across Moss Utilities’ project portfolio. This position provides Project Managers and leadership with clear visibility into production, materials, budgets, commitments, and projected costs.

The Director works closely with Project Managers, Senior Project Managers, APMs, and field leadership to identify cost risks, improve forecasting, strengthen WIP reporting, and drive accountability across projects.

Director, Project Cost Controls

Responsibilities

Cost & Production Control

• Oversee company-wide production tracking across water, sanitary sewer, and storm drainage projects.
• Establish consistent production and material tracking standards across projects.
• Monitor field production against budgeted quantities and identify productivity trends or potential margin erosion.
• Track material procurement, usage, commitments, returns, credits, and variances.
• Partner with PMs and field teams to identify and resolve cost overruns, waste, and material discrepancies.

WIP & Financial Reporting

• Support monthly WIP and budget-to-actual reviews for active projects.
• Calculate and monitor cost-to-complete by project and cost code.
• Reconcile production, material, commitments, change orders, accruals, and billing information with the ERP system.
• Prepare clear cost and WIP summaries for executive leadership.
• Maintain accurate documentation and audit trails for financial reporting, surety, banking, and year-end audits.

Project Management Support

• Serve as the primary cost-control resource for PMs and Senior PMs.
• Build and maintain standardized cost tracking tools and dashboards.
• Conduct regular budget-to-actual reviews and identify areas requiring corrective action.
• Support After Action Report analysis by comparing estimating assumptions, revised budgets, and actual project results.
• Ensure change orders are accurately reflected in project costs and billing.

Process & Training

• Develop and implement company-wide cost control procedures, tools, and reporting standards.
• Train field supervision and project management teams on production, material, WIP, and cost tracking requirements.
• Monitor adoption and compliance and recommend improvements based on project results and field feedback.
• Continuously improve the flow of information between estimating, field operations, project management, and the ERP system.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Construction Management, Civil Engineering, Accounting, Finance, or equivalent practical experience.
• 5+ years of experience in project cost control, job cost accounting, project engineering, or related construction experience.
• Experience in heavy civil, underground utility, or commercial construction preferred.
• Strong understanding of WIP accounting, percent-complete methodology, over/under billing, and cost-to-complete forecasting.
• Advanced Excel skills and experience with construction ERP systems.
• Ability to read and interpret civil plans, estimates, and unit cost schedules.
• Strong analytical, organizational, communication, and problem-solving skills.
• Ability to work collaboratively while holding project teams accountable to financial performance.
• Ability to travel periodically to active job sites.
• Valid driver’s license required.

Success in This Role

• Accurate and timely monthly WIP reporting.
• Improved accuracy of production and material reporting.
• Reduction in unresolved change orders and cost overruns.
• Improved visibility into project profitability and cost-to-complete.
• Consistent adoption of standardized cost control processes across active projects.

What You Get from Working at Moss

• An incredible culture built on our core values.
• Competitive pay and solid benefits.
• Onsite amenities including a fitness center, basketball and pickleball courts, and personal training.
• Opportunities for professional growth and long-term career development.
• Employee ownership through our ESOP program, where your hard work directly contributes to the value you help build.

Benefits Offered

• Medical, dental, and vision coverage.
• Life insurance, short-term disability, accident & critical illness plans.
• Multiple health plan options.
• 401(k) with company match.
• Paid time off and paid holidays.
• Employee ownership through our ESOP program.

Moss Utilities is an Equal Opportunity Employer committed to maintaining a Drug-Free Workplace. We participate in E-Verify, and all applicants must be legally authorized to work in the United States.