Project Controls Manager (00612)

PMA Consultants; Chicago (IL); Hybrid; USD 126,000 - 179,000; Full time

Job summary

PMA Consultants in Chicago, IL seeks a Project Controls Manager to lead cost control, scheduling, forecasting, and earned value management across engineering, construction, and capital projects. You will mentor a team and drive continuous improvement in project delivery.

The ideal candidate has a strong background in Primavera P6, EVM, CPM, and risk analysis, with extensive stakeholder engagement and a track record of delivering complex programs on time and within budget.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Engineering, Construction Management, or a related discipline required; advanced degree preferred.
• 10+ years of experience in project controls, cost engineering, scheduling, or project management.
• Demonstrated experience leading project controls efforts on complex projects with multiple stakeholders.
• Expertise in Primavera P6 scheduling for construction and capital projects.
• Knowledge of earned value management (EVM), critical path method (CPM), forecasting methodologies, risk analysis, and change management processes.
• Professional certifications such as PMP, PE, CCP, or PSP are strongly preferred.

Responsibilities

• Lead project controls activities including cost control, scheduling, forecasting, earned value management, risk management, and change management.
• Develop, implement, and maintain project controls procedures, systems, and best practices.
• Establish project controls standards and ensure consistent application across projects and programs.
• Provide strategic project controls support to project managers and leadership teams throughout all phases of project delivery.
• Support the development and maintenance of work breakdown structures (WBS), reporting frameworks, project controls plans, and performance measurement systems.

Skills

Project controls leadership

Cost management

Scheduling

Forecasting

Risk analysis

Change management

Stakeholder management

Advanced Excel

Communication

Team leadership

Education

Bachelor's degree in Engineering/Construction Management

Advanced degree preferred

PMP/PE/ CCP/PSP certifications preferred

Tools

Primavera P6

Microsoft Excel

Cost management software

Job description

Position Summary

The Project Controls Manager plays a critical leadership role in supporting the successful delivery of engineering, construction, infrastructure, and capital improvement projects. This position is responsible for overseeing project controls functions, including cost management, scheduling, forecasting, change management, risk analysis, and performance reporting, while ensuring consistency with established project controls standards and best practices.

The successful candidate will provide strategic guidance and technical expertise to project teams, project managers, and stakeholders throughout the project lifecycle. Responsibilities include managing project budgets, developing and analyzing schedules, forecasting costs, evaluating project performance, and providing data-driven insights that support informed decision-making. This role will also lead project controls personnel and help drive continuous improvement across project delivery programs.

Note: This opportunity is available at multiple levels. Final placement will be determined based on the selected candidate’s experience, skills, and alignment with business needs. We are committed to providing fair and equitable consideration for all applicants.

Organizational Responsibilities

Project Controls Leadership

• Lead project controls activities including cost control, scheduling, forecasting, earned value management, risk management, and change management.
• Develop, implement, and maintain project controls procedures, systems, and best practices.
• Establish project controls standards and ensure consistent application across projects and programs.
• Provide strategic project controls support to project managers and leadership teams throughout all phases of project delivery.
• Support the development and maintenance of work breakdown structures (WBS), reporting frameworks, project controls plans, and performance measurement systems.

Cost Management & Forecasting

• Oversee project budgets, expenditures, commitments, forecasts, and cash flow projections.
• Monitor project cost performance and identify trends, risks, opportunities, and variances.
• Lead the development, review, and analysis of cost estimates, forecasts, and project controls reports.
• Apply earned value management (EVM), forecasting methodologies, and performance metrics to evaluate project performance.
• Support contract administration efforts by ensuring contractual requirements are incorporated into project controls processes.

Scheduling & Risk Management

• Direct the development, maintenance, and analysis of project schedules using Primavera P6.
• Review schedule updates, critical path analyses, milestone performance, schedule recovery plans, and resource-loaded schedules.
• Collaborate with project teams to identify schedule risks and develop mitigation strategies.
• Participate in project risk assessments and ensure schedules appropriately reflect project risks and opportunities.
• Support what-if analyses and scenario planning to evaluate project impacts and recovery options.

Reporting & Stakeholder Engagement

• Facilitate project controls meetings, schedule reviews, and performance reporting sessions.
• Prepare executive-level reports, dashboards, presentations, and project performance summaries.
• Communicate project status, cost and schedule performance, risks, and recovery recommendations to project leadership and stakeholders.
• Build and maintain effective relationships with clients, contractors, consultants, and internal project teams.

Team Leadership

• Lead and mentor project controls professionals, including schedulers, cost engineers, change management specialists, and project controls analysts.
• Provide technical leadership, coaching, and professional development support to project controls staff.
• Participate in staffing, performance management, and team development activities.
• Foster a collaborative culture focused on project delivery excellence and continuous improvement.

Additional Responsibilities

• Ensure project controls data integrity and compliance with established standards and procedures.
• Support project audits, reviews, and quality assurance initiatives.
• Other duties as assigned.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Engineering, Construction Management, or a related discipline required; advanced degree preferred.

• 10+ years of experience in project controls, cost engineering, scheduling, or project management supporting engineering, construction, infrastructure, or capital projects.

• Demonstrated experience leading project controls efforts on complex projects and managing multiple stakeholders.

• Expertise in Primavera P6 scheduling for construction and capital projects.

• Experience developing and analyzing project schedules, cost forecasts, estimates, critical path analyses, and performance reports.

• Strong knowledge of earned value management (EVM), critical path method (CPM), forecasting methodologies, risk analysis, and change management processes.

• Proficiency with cost management systems, project controls reporting tools, and advanced Microsoft Excel functions.

• Strong analytical, organizational, problem-solving, and communication skills.

• Demonstrated leadership experience managing project controls teams and supporting project delivery objectives.

• Professional certifications such as PMP, PE, CCP, or PSP are strongly preferred.

• An equivalent combination of education, experience, and training that provides the required knowledge, skills, and abilities will be considered in lieu of stated minimum qualifications.

$125,860 - $178,684 a year

The salary range for this position is $125,860 - $178,684.

A hired employee will be placed within this salary range based on a variety of legitimate business reasons, including but not limited to the individual’s scope of relevant experience and geographic location.

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.”

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.

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.