Program Controls Manager

AtkinsRéalis; Richmond (VA); On-site; USD 170,000 - 200,000; Full time

Job summary

AtkinsRéalis is seeking a Program Controls Manager to lead cost and schedule oversight on a large pharmaceutical megacampus project in the U.S. You will manage a controls team, own detailed cost estimates, forecasts, and risk registers, using Primavera, MS Project, ERP systems, and advanced Excel for reporting.

The role requires 20+ years in project controls, experience on multi-billion-dollar programs, and strong leadership to drive cost control and scheduling across design, procurement,

Qualifications

• 20+ years in project controls or program management.
• Experience on multi‑billion‑dollar programs.
• Pharmaceutical or heavy process industry experience preferred.
• Experience building teams and processes from scratch.
• Strong cost, scheduling, and risk analysis background.
• Excellent communication with executive stakeholders.

Responsibilities

• Lead and mentor the project controls team.
• Maintain detailed cost estimates and forecasts across all phases.
• Conduct cost/schedule variance analysis and risk assessment.
• Develop and improve project controls systems and tools.
• Create budgets, cash flows, and revenue forecasts.
• Collaborate with scheduling to maintain integrated schedules.
• Manage risk processes and ensure contract deliverables.

Skills

EVM / earned value

Primavera

MS Project

Advanced Excel

Budgeting & forecasting

Leadership / mentoring

Education

Bachelor's degree in Engineering/Finance/Construction Management

Tools

Microsoft Project

Excel

ERP systems

Dashboard reporting tools

Job description

Overview

We are seeking a Program Controls Manager to join our team in TX, AL, VA, PA, OH, IN, and WI. Our Pharmaceutical team is growing! The Program Controls Manager delivers independent, owner-aligned cost and schedule oversight via EVM, predictive forecasting, change order governance, and long lead item tracking. This role maintains a proactive risk register — quantified through Monte Carlo analysis and a risk-adjusted baseline — to escape issues before they hit the critical path, all derived from the Owner's Representative's'own assessment rather than EPC self-reporting. This is a lead role at an exciting megacampus site for a pharmaceutical client in Alabama/Virginia with the opportunity to direct a career-making program on a greenfield campus. We are offering a full‑time position with AtkinsRéalis that comes with the opportunity to prove your true potential, provide expert services on world class projects, collaborate, and grow with professional services experts, and receive an attractive compensation package with robust benefits.

Your role

• Manage staff co-ordination and workload and directly supervises and mentors the project controls team as a subject matter expert.
• Manage, revise, and maintain status of the detailed project cost estimate/forecast to include all phases of project execution from design/engineering, material/equipment procurement and deliveries, construction contracts through start-up activities and closeout.
• Track and analyze the project costs including budgets, commitments, actuals, accruals, and forecasts using strategized methodology. Analysis includes forecast and variance analysis (Cost and Schedule), trends, Risk Analysis with evaluation of contingency reserve and developing and maintaining an Issue log.
• Participate in the development and improvement of project controls systems. Recommend improvements in systems, tools, and methods of project controls and project management.
• Establish a project work breakdown structure in line with industry best practices.
• Assist in analyzing project control requirements as part of the bid review process to insure all cost control requirements are incorporated into individual contracts and purchase orders.
• Interact with other project groups in relation to cost codes, purchase order commitments, change orders.
• Assist in creating detailed project budgets from estimates and in the development of cash flow projections.
• Works with scheduling staff to develop, manage, revise, and update integrated detailed project schedules including all phases of project execution.
• Manage risk management process including driving the identification, evaluation, mitigation and management process of the risk management.
• Work with the senior project management staff in ensuring all contract deliverables and deadlines are met.
• Provide senior level general project management support as necessary.
• Assist in early identification of long lead items, resource constraints, and required project start dates.
• Produce forecasts of total project costs, annual costs, and monthly cash flow costs and provides variance analysis and explanations.

About You

• Bachelor's degree in Engineering, Construction Management, Accounting, Finance or a related field.
• 20+ years professional experience in project controls or program management.
• Experience working on multi-billion-dollar programs.
• Pharmaceutical industry experience; also will consider experience in other heavy process industries such as semiconductor/high tech, chemical, EV battery, and oil and gas.
• Experience building teams and processes/systems from scratch.
• Experience evaluating project status using A/E and Construction Management cost and schedule data.
• Demonstrated experience developing budgets, cash flow forecasts, financial analyses, and project schedules.
• Strong expertise in cost management, scheduling, project planning, and estimating.
• Proven ability to communicate and collaborate with external engineering, architectural, and construction firms, suppliers, management teams, and client stakeholders.
• Demonstrated ability to work independently while also leading, mentoring, and managing cross‑functional project teams.
• Deep understanding of contract types and project risk implications, with hands‑on expertise in Primavera, Microsoft Project, ERP systems, and advanced Excel for data analysis, dashboards, and performance reporting; proficient in standard business and IT tools (Microsoft Office, Adobe, Windows environments).
• Highly articulate with strong analytical problem‑solving and decision‑making skills; able to clearly communicate complex insights through effective presentations and stakeholder engagement.
• Excellent communications skills and comfort with executive level client interface.

Rewards & benefits

At AtkinsRéalis, our values—Safety, Integrity, Collaboration, Innovation, and Excellence—are more than just words. They are the foundation of who we are and how we work. These principles shape our culture, guide our decisions, and inspire us to create an environment where every team member feels empowered to grow, succeed, and make a meaningful impact.

Depending on your employment status, AtkinsRéalis benefits may include medical, dental, vision, company‑paid life and short‑and long‑term disability benefits, employer‑matched 401(k) with 100% vesting, employee stock purchase plan, Paid Time Off, leaves of absences options, flexible work options, recognition and employee satisfaction programs, employee assistance program, and voluntary benefits. You can review our comprehensive benefits page here.

About AtkinsRéalis

We’re AtkinsRéalis, a world‑class engineering services and nuclear organization. We connect people, data and technology to transform the world’s'infrastructure and energy systems. Together, with our industry partners and clients, and our global team of consultants, designers, engineers and project managers, we can change the world. We’re committed to leading our clients across our various end markets to engineer a better future for our planet and its people.

Find out more.

Additional information

Expected compensation range is between $170,000 - $200,000+ annually depending on skills, experience, and geographical location.

AtkinsRéalis is an equal opportunity, Drug‑Free employer EOE/Veteran/Disability.

Please review AtkinsRéalis' Equal Opportunity Statement here.

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