Project Controls, Cost Specialist

Jobtailor; Houston (TX); On-site; USD 85,000 - 120,000; Full time

Job summary

Jobtailor in Houston seeks a seasoned Project Controls Specialist to manage cost reporting, labor progress, and performance analysis for EPC projects in the oil and gas sector. This on-site role requires strong Excel skills and experience with earned value management.

You will develop budgets, track costs across indirect labor, equipment, and subcontracts, and collaborate with procurement and billing teams. Travel to job sites and audits are required.

Qualifications

• 5+ years in project controls or cost management in EPC/oil & gas environments preferred.
• Degree in engineering or construction management in lieu of experience is acceptable.
• Proficiency with Excel and MS Office required.
• Strong communication and ability to work both in a team and independently.
• Ability to travel to job sites and perform audits as needed.

Responsibilities

• Develop and maintain weekly project cost reports for internal and client use
• Develop and maintain weekly and monthly labor progress and performance reports
• Track project costs for indirect labor, rental equipment, and subcontracts
• Assist with change management, including change orders, budget shifts, trends, and contingency management
• Perform forward-looking cost analysis and develop mitigation plans
• Participate in bi-weekly or monthly reviews of cost-control deliverables with the project team
• Assist management with forecasting expected project costs for monthly reporting
• Develop and maintain budgets in the progress-tracking tool
• Audit payroll coding weekly
• Perform data audits for information accuracy
• Liaise with procurement and billing departments
• Conduct cost corrections
• Understand and apply earned value management systems
• Travel to job sites for job duties and progress audits
• Perform other duties as assigned

Skills

Project Controls

Cost Management

Earned Value Management

Microsoft Excel Proficiency

Change Management

Education

Engineering or Construction Management degree

Tools

MS Office

Progress-Tracking Tool

Job description

• Develop and maintain weekly project cost reports for internal and client use
• Develop and maintain weekly and monthly labor progress and performance reports
• Track project costs for indirect labor, rental equipment, and subcontracts
• Assist with change management, including change orders, budget shifts, trends, and contingency management
• Perform forward-looking cost analysis and develop mitigation plans
• Participate in bi-weekly or monthly reviews of cost-control deliverables with the project team
• Assist management with forecasting expected project costs for monthly reporting
• Develop and maintain budgets in the progress-tracking tool
• Audit payroll coding weekly
• Perform data audits for information accuracy
• Liaise with procurement and billing departments
• Conduct cost corrections
• Understand and apply earned value management systems
• Travel to job sites for job duties and progress audits
• Perform other duties as assigned

Requirements

• 5+ years of experience in project controls, cost management, trend and change management, and/or project management with an EPC contractor or in the oil and gas industry preferable
• Degree in engineering or construction management in lieu of experience
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office, especially Excel
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills, including ability to convey information
• Ability to work within a team and independently while prioritizing a large volume of work
• Ability to work quickly and meet deadlines
• Valid driver's license
• Subject to background check and drug screen
• Ability to sit for prolonged periods and work on a computer
• Ability to travel to job sites and walk construction sites for progress audits
• Ability to occasionally stoop, kneel, or crouch
• Ability to lift/move up to 10 pounds regularly, 25 pounds frequently, and 50 pounds occasionally

Core Competencies

Demonstrates expertise in project controls and cost management, with a strong focus on developing and maintaining budgets, cost reports, and performance analysis. Proficient in earned value management systems and skilled in communication and collaboration with project teams and stakeholders.

Highest-signal resume keywords

• Project Controls
• Cost Management
• Earned Value Management
• Microsoft Excel Proficiency
• Change Management

ATS Optimization Keywords

Hard Skills

• Cost Reporting
• Budget DevelopmentData Auditing
• Cost Analysis
• Labor Progress Reporting
• Change Order Management
• Contingency Management
• Cost Corrections
• Forecasting
• Performance Reporting

Soft Skills

• Verbal Communication
• Written Communication
• Team Collaboration
• Time Management
• Independence

Industry Keywords

• EPC Contractor
• Oil and Gas Industry
• Project Management
• Trend Management

Tools & Technologies

• Microsoft Office
• Progress-Tracking Tool