Functional Manager - Project Controls Specialist

Management Solutions; Knoxville (TN); On-site; USD 90,000 - 120,000; Full time

Job summary

Management Solutions seeks a Functional Manager – Project Controls Specialist in Knoxville, TN. The role focuses on leading a high-performing team while ensuring alignment with client needs and operational excellence.

The ideal candidate will have over 10 years of experience in project controls and consulting, with proven leadership skills. This position offers opportunities for strategic growth and collaboration with various teams to drive project success.

Qualifications

• 10 years of experience in project controls.
• Demonstrated experience in team leadership and resource management roles.
• Strong leadership, communication, and organizational skills.

Responsibilities

• Manage and develop a high-performing team.
• Support client-facing consulting delivery.
• Monitor project performance and provide recommendations.

Skills

Team leadership

Project controls

Consulting and professional services

Communication skills

Organizational skills

Education

Bachelor’s degree in Business Administration, IT, Engineering, or related field

Job description

Job Title: Functional Manager – Project Controls Specialist

Location: Knoxville, TN

Employment Type: Full-time

Management Solutions is seeking a Functional Manager to lead and develop a high‑performing team within a defined functional area while supporting client‑facing consulting delivery. This role is responsible for building technical capability, managing team performance, and ensuring alignment between organizational priorities and workforce skills.

This Functional Manager will partner closely with other Functional Managers, Program/Project Managers, the Program Management Office (PMO), Human Resources, and business development teams to drive operational excellence, maintain strong utilization, and support strategic growth. This position is well‑suited for a leader who can balance people management, business operations, and consulting delivery in a fast‑paced government services environment.

Key Responsibilities

Functional Manager Responsibilities (Internal Leadership)

• Build, manage, and develop a high‑performing team, ensuring the right mix of technical skills, certifications, and cultural alignment.
• Lead onboarding activities for new hires and ensure alignment with functional standards and expectations.
• Support career development and pathing, including setting goals, identifying growth opportunities, and tracking progress.
• Develop and implement improvement and development plans to maintain and enhance team capabilities and certifications.
• Maintain and oversee team resumes to ensure accurate representation of skills and experience.
• Ensure team members understand and meet target utilization goals and actively manage staffing to optimize utilization.
• Collaborate with the PMO and Program/Project Managers to align resources with project needs and priorities.
• Serve as a functional lead for business development, supporting proposal efforts and articulating team capabilities.
• Partner with business development to shape go‑to‑market strategies and contribute to solutions aligned with client needs.
• Stay informed on industry trends and best practices to enhance service offerings and maintain competitive positioning.
• Manage functional overhead budget and approve or decline overhead charge requests.
• Partner with Human Resources to support recruiting efforts, including developing job descriptions, interviewing candidates, and selecting top talent.
• Lead initiatives to implement new technologies, methodologies, and best practices that drive innovation and performance.

Project Controls Specialist Responsibilities (Client-Facing)

• Develop, maintain, and analyze project cost and schedule data to support project execution and decision-making.
• Support project teams in tracking project performance against approved baselines, forecasts, and key performance indicators.
• Monitor project expenditures, commitments, and progress to identify trends, risks, and potential variances.
• Perform cost and schedule variance analysis and provide recommendations to project managers and stakeholders.
• Prepare and present project controls reports, dashboards, and performance metrics for project teams and leadership.
• Support development and maintenance of project schedules within Primavera P6 or related project management systems.
• Ensure project data integrity across project controls systems and related reporting tools.
• Develop and maintain reports, queries, and visualizations that support project and program governance.
• Assist with forecasting, resource planning, and project performance assessments.
• Ensure compliance with internal procedures, contractual requirements, and client standards.
• Collaborate with project managers and cross‑functional teams to support successful project delivery.

Required Qualifications

• 10 years of experience in project controls.
• 10 years of experience in consulting, professional services, or technical delivery environments.
• Demonstrated experience in team leadership, functional management, or resource management roles.
• Proven ability to manage employee performance, career development, and utilization targets.
• Experience collaborating with PMOs, Program/Project Managers, and cross‑functional teams.
• Familiarity with consulting delivery models, including billable utilization and client-facing expectations.
• Experience supporting or contributing to business development and proposal efforts.
• Strong leadership, communication, and organizational skills.
• Ability to balance strategic responsibilities with day‑to‑day operational execution.

Degree

• Bachelor’s degree in Business Administration, Information Technology, Engineering, Construction or a related field.

Preferred Certifications

• Project Management Professional (PMP) or equivalent
• Relevant leadership or management certifications

Preferred Experience

• Project Controls experience that extends to specific experience in scope, schedule, cost, resource and risk management.
• Knowledge of the general requirement for an Earned Value Management System.
• Experience in a government consulting or federal contracting environment.
• Familiarity with DOE, DOD, or similar federal agencies.
• Experience with process improvement methodologies (e.g., Lean, Six Sigma).
• Experience supporting construction projects and cost estimating activities, including estimate development, cost forecasting, quantity takeoffs, budgeting, and project performance analysis.

Work Authorization

U.S. Citizenship is required for this position due to federal contract requirements. Candidates must meet all contract and security eligibility requirements for this role.

Equal Opportunity Statement

Management Solutions is an equal opportunity employer. All applicants will be considered without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, disability, marital status, veteran status, sexual orientation, genetic information, or any other protected characteristic under applicable law.