Lead Project Cost Controller - Electric Utilities

RiseMe; Marlborough (MA); On-site; USD 125,000 - 160,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Generous paid time off

401(k) retirement program with company

Career development programs

Tuition reimbursement

Flexible work schedule

Job summary

ENTRUST Solutions Group seeks a Principal Project Controls Cost Analyst to lead the design and oversight of project controls across a major capital program for a U.S. utility.

You will develop budgets, forecasts and MIS to support governance and decision-making. You will collaborate with directors, engineers and financial stakeholders, provide EVM and performance reporting, and drive improvements across large transmission, substation, and distribution projects.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in a relevant field required; Master's preferred.
• 15+ years of experience in Project Controls, Program Controls, Cost Engineering, Finance, Construction Management, or Project Management.
• Experience designing and overseeing project controls for large-scale capital programs.
• Experience with utility, infrastructure, or large engineering projects.
• Strong forecasting, budgeting, scheduling, and variance analysis skills.

Responsibilities

• Develop and maintain detailed project forecasts and cash flow projections for large multi-year capital projects.
• Design and oversee Project Controls, Program Management, and MIS to support planning, reporting, and performance management.
• Collaborate with project teams and lead status meetings to ensure accurate cost, schedule, and performance data.
• Monitor variances between forecast, budget and actuals; provide actionable recommendations.
• Prepare regular project controls reports, including earned value metrics and executive dashboards.

Skills

EVM

Forecasting

Budgeting

Variance analysis

SAP

Procore

Excel

Leadership

Communication

Education

Bachelor's degree

Master's degree preferred

Tools

SAP

Procore

Job description

We are looking for a Principal Project Controls Cost Analyst in the New England region to support our client, a major U.S. utility, in ensuring the accuracy, consistency, and integrity of project controls across a large capital portfolio. Working alongside project directors, managers, engineers, and financial stakeholders, you will develop and maintain project budgets, forecasts, schedules, and performance reports while supporting effective project governance and decision‑making.

You will be responsible for designing, implementing, and overseeing advanced Project Controls, Program Management, and Management Information Systems (MIS) across large-scale capital programs. The successful candidate will understand the broader strategic objectives of the client's long‑range capital investment plans and provide project controls leadership that supports successful execution of complex transmission, substation, and distribution infrastructure projects.

Key Responsibilities

• Develop and maintain detailed project forecasts and cash flow projections for large, multi-year transmission, substation, and distribution capital projects.
• Design, implement, and oversee Project Controls, Program Management, and Management Information Systems (MIS) to support program-wide planning, reporting, and performance management.
• Collaborate with project team members and facilitate project status meetings to ensure accurate and timely cost, schedule, and performance data collection.
• Monitor and analyze variances between forecast, budget, and actual costs; provide clear explanations and actionable recommendations.
• Prepare and deliver regular project controls reports, including earned value metrics, cost and schedule performance indicators, and executive‑level dashboards.
• Support project managers and stakeholders in identifying cost trends, risks, opportunities, and corrective actions.
• Serve as a trusted advisor to project leadership by aligning project controls activities with the client's long‑term capital investment objectives.
• Ensure compliance with company policies, financial controls, governance requirements, and regulatory standards.
• Serve as the Project Controls liaison during contract award and execution phases, validating that contractors implement agreed‑upon Project Controls processes and escalating deviations as needed.
• Oversee and support timely processing of cost accruals and financial reporting requirements.
• Drive continuous improvement initiatives related to project controls processes, systems, reporting tools, and program governance.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree required; Master's degree preferred.
• 15+ years of experience in Project Controls, Program Controls, Cost Engineering, Finance, Accounting, Construction Management, or Project Management.
• Demonstrated experience designing and overseeing Project Controls, Program Management, and Management Information Systems for large-scale capital programs or enterprise-wide initiatives.
• Extensive experience supporting large utility, infrastructure, engineering, or construction projects with complex stakeholder environments.
• Strong understanding of forecasting, budgeting, scheduling, cost management, variance analysis, and project performance reporting.
• Experience with earned value management (EVM), project governance frameworks, and portfolio‑level reporting.
• Proficient in Microsoft Office Suite, including advanced Excel skills (pivot tables, VLOOKUPs, reporting, and analysis).
• Experience with SAP and Procore preferred.
• Excellent analytical, communication, leadership, and problem‑solving skills.
• Ability to understand the "big picture" objectives of large capital investment programs and translate strategic goals into effective project controls practices.

In return for top talent, ENTRUST Solutions Group offers:

• Generous paid time off and benefits
• 401(k) retirement program with a company match
• Career development programs
• Tuition reimbursement
• Flexible work schedule

To learn more about ENTRUST Benefits and Culture, please visit our company LinkedIn page and follow us at:

https://www.linkedin.com/company/entrustsolutionsgroup

Benefits & Salary:

• This position pays between $125,000 and $160,000 annually and is an exempt position.
• Benefits offered include company sponsored medical, dental, vision, and 401(k) plan with company match. Also offered are tuition reimbursement, voluntary life, disability, critical illness, accident and hospitalization plans. HSA or FSA medical accounts and FSA dependent care and transportation/parking accounts are also available. These benefits are subject to employee contribution amounts generally set annually.
• Full time employees are eligible to earn PTO hours.
• May be eligible for discretionary bonus as determined by the company.

ENTRUST Solutions Group is proud to be an Equal Employment Opportunity employer. We celebrate diversity and do not discriminate based on race, religion, color, national origin, sex, sexual orientation, age, veteran status, disability status, or any other applicable characteristics protected by law.