Project Controls Analyst (00604)

PMA Consultants LLC; Chicago (IL); Hybrid; USD 90,000 - 120,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Comprehensive benefits

Work-from-home options

Job summary

PMA Consultants LLC in Chicago is seeking a cost control and scheduling professional to support project cost management, develop cost models, and deliver accurate dashboards. You will work with Primavera P6, Excel, and BI tools to gather inputs, monitor progress, and produce insightful reports for technical and non-technical audiences.

The role emphasizes collaboration with owners and stakeholders, what-if analyses, and timely reporting.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in engineering, construction management, business, analytics, economics, or a related field.
• 2+ years of experience developing, maintaining, tracking, and analyzing project schedules, milestones, deliverables, and performance data.
• Experience supporting project controls, program controls, operational planning, schedule forecasting, progress tracking, and/or variance analysis.
• Working knowledge of Oracle Primavera P6 and CPM scheduling principles.
• Experience with forecasting, what-if scenario analysis, risk and issue management, and root-cause analysis.
• Advanced Excel, Power BI, Business Intelligence, Python, Alteryx, or other data analytics experience preferred.
• Experience developing program dashboards, performance reporting frameworks, workflow tracking, and automated reporting solutions preferred.

Responsibilities

• Supports project cost management and control functions.
• Utilizes cost management software tools with proficiency.
• Develops summary and detailed cost estimates with limited assistance, producing accurate project cost models (early, late, and planned).
• Reviews contract documents to identify cost obligations and integrates them into cost deliverables.
• Enforces baseline concepts and performs cost updates that incorporate progress data.
• Collaborates with stakeholders to gather inputs and resolve issues impacting cost or schedule.
• Supports development of what-if analyses, schedule forecasts, variance analyses, and risk mitigation activities with limited guidance.
• Analyzes cost trends and identifies anomalies requiring further investigation.
• Determines root causes of cost variances and helps distinguish between actual performance drivers and anomalies.
• Applies target estimates and identifies variances tied to scope, progress, or financial changes.
• Develops and summarizes insightful cost, schedule, and performance reports, dashboards, and management insights for both technical and non-technical audiences.
• Coordinates schedule updates in Primavera P6 and collaborates on forecasting cost projections.
• Reviews contractor change orders that affect cost and schedule and ensures they are accurately reflected in reporting.
• Tracks and updates overall project cost and schedule data with owners and stakeholders, maintaining accurate reporting on milestones, dependencies, progress, risks, and variances.
• Other duties as assigned.

Skills

Cost management

Schedule forecasting

Data analysis

Communication

Education

Bachelor's degree

Tools

Oracle Primavera P6

Excel

Power BI

Python

Alteryx

Job description

Organizational Responsibilities

Cost Management

• Supports project cost management and control functions.
• Utilizes cost management software tools with proficiency.
• Understands detailed fundamentals of cost control and budgeting theory and advanced characteristics of a sound cost management system.
• Develops summary and detailed cost estimates with limited assistance, producing accurate project cost models (early, late, and planned).

Schedule Support

• Reviews contract documents to identify cost obligations and integrates them into cost deliverables.
• Enforces baseline concepts and performs cost updates that incorporate progress data.
• Collaborates with stakeholders to gather inputs and resolve issues impacting cost or schedule.
• Supports development of what-if analyses, schedule forecasts, variance analyses, and risk mitigation activities with limited guidance.

Reporting & Documentation

• Analyzes cost trends and identifies anomalies requiring further investigation.
• Determines root causes of cost variances and helps distinguish between actual performance drivers and anomalies.
• Applies target estimates and identifies variances tied to scope, progress, or financial changes.
• Develops and summarizes insightful cost, schedule, and performance reports, dashboards, and management insights for both technical and non-technical audiences.

Collaboration & Communication

• Coordinates schedule updates in Primavera P6 and collaborates on forecasting cost projections.
• Reviews contractor change orders that affect cost and schedule and ensures they are accurately reflected in reporting.
• Tracks and updates overall project cost and schedule data with owners and stakeholders, maintaining accurate reporting on milestones, dependencies, progress, risks, and variances.
• Other duties as assigned.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in engineering, construction management, business, analytics, economics, or a related field required.
• 2+ years of experience in developing, maintaining, tracking, and analyzing project or program schedules, milestones, deliverables, and performance data required.
• Experience supporting project controls, program controls, operational planning, schedule forecasting, progress tracking, and/or variance analysis required.
• Working knowledge of Oracle Primavera P6 and CPM scheduling principles required.
• Experience with forecasting, what-if scenario analysis, risk and issue management, and root-cause analysis required.
• Advanced Excel, Power BI, Business Intelligence, Python, Alteryx, or other data analytics experience preferred.
• Experience with process improvement methodologies such as Lean Six Sigma, Kaizen, Agile, or SCRUM preferred.
• Experience developing program dashboards, performance reporting frameworks, workflow tracking, and automated reporting solutions preferred.

Additional Requirements

• Physical: Standing or sitting for long periods; must be able to lift up to 15 pounds at times and spend extended hours in front of a computer screen.
• Cognitive: Problem-solving, written, and verbal communication skills; computer and software skills; and ability to read and interpret text online or in printed form.

About PMA

At PMA, employee well-being is a daily priority. We offer a combination of workplace options that include a PMA office location; work-from-home; or a client site. Wherever we work, we openly share knowledge as we believe that collaboration with peers improves our work product and that pursuing subject matter expertise is a lifelong endeavor.

We are committed to a culture of equity, diversity, and inclusion. We affirm and respect diverse backgrounds and opinions because we believe they yield the best solutions for our clients. We promote emotional intelligence and trust by nurturing these values within our new hires.

We encourage staff to develop rewarding, long-term careers at PMA, and we implement formal leadership development programs that help you attain your goals. At PMA, shared success is a core value. Every employee who contributes is recognized, celebrated, and rewarded. We look for self-driven candidates eager to assume responsibility and join a community of respect founded on collaboration and accountability, not titles. If you aim to transform the project management practice toward continuous improvement of project outcomes, the profession, and yourself, PMA looks forward to warmly welcoming you to our team.

We offer competitive pay and benefits, wellness programs for you and your family, and career development opportunities to advance your professional goals.

As a PMA professional, you will be empowered to make timely and effective decisions and significant daily contributions to complex facets of project delivery. Join a team that has achieved a world-class reputation in the construction industry and has been voted a "Best Place to Work".

Benefits

• PMA offers competitive wages and comprehensive benefits, including medical, prescription, dental, vision, time off with pay, 401(k) with company match, life, disability, and professional development reimbursement for qualifying employees.

Equal Employment Opportunity

All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex (including pregnancy, sexual orientation, gender identity, or gender expression), disability, national origin, or any other characteristic protected by applicable laws, regulations, and ordinances. Qualified female and minority applicants are encouraged to apply.

EOE, including persons with disabilities and veterans.

VEVRAA federal contractor.