Lead Program Controls Manager – Pharma Projects

AtkinsRéalis; Vestavia Hills (AL); On-site; USD 170,000 - 200,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical benefits

401(k) with employer match

Paid Time Off

Job summary

AtkinsRéalis is seeking a seasoned Program Controls Manager to lead cost and schedule oversight for a major pharmaceutical campus project in the United States. You’ll own EVM, forecasting, risk management, and the development of robust controls from design through closeout, while mentoring a project controls team and collaborating with senior stakeholders.

The role emphasizes extensive experience in large-scale programs, with a focus on cost control, schedules, and data-driven decision making.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Engineering, Construction Management, Accounting, Finance or a related field.
• 20+ years professional experience in project controls or program management.
• Experience on multi‑billion‑dollar programs.
• Pharmaceutical industry experience or related heavy process industries.
• Experience building teams and processes from scratch.
• Excellent communication with executive-level clients.
• Strong cost management, scheduling, planning, and estimating.
• Proficient with Primavera, MS Project, ERP systems and advanced Excel.
• Ability to collaborate with external firms and stakeholders.

Responsibilities

• Manage staff coordination and mentor the project controls team.
• Maintain detailed cost estimates and forecasts across all project phases.
• Track budgets, commitments, actuals, accruals, and forecasts.
• Develop and improve project controls systems and tools.
• Establish a project work breakdown structure.
• Analyze bid costs and ensure cost controls in contracts.
• Coordinate with scheduling to develop integrated schedules.
• Manage risk process with identification, evaluation, mitigation.
• Ensure contract deliverables and deadlines are met.
• Provide senior-level project management support.

Skills

Leadership

Cost management

Risk analysis

Budgeting

Analytical thinking

Education

Bachelor’s degree in Engineering, Construction Management, Accounting, Finance or related field

Tools

Primavera

Microsoft Project

ERP systems

Excel

Dashboards

Job description

AtkinsRéalis is seeking a seasoned Program Controls Manager to lead cost and schedule oversight for a major pharmaceutical campus project in the United States. You’ll own EVM, forecasting, risk management, and the development of robust controls from design through closeout, while mentoring a project controls team and collaborating with senior stakeholders.

The role emphasizes extensive experience in large-scale programs, with a focus on cost control, schedules, and data-driven decision making.