Project Controls Specialist

hdr; Lexington (KY); On-site; USD 85,000 - 110,000; Full time

Job summary

HDR is seeking a Project Controls Specialist in Lexington, KY to support program controls across capital programs. You will develop and maintain CPM schedules, establish WBS structures, and manage budgets and cost forecasts to enable informed decisions.

In this role, you will work with Program Managers, Owners, Finance, and Design teams to ensure cost and schedule alignment. Strong Primavera P6 skills, document control experience, and travel availability are required.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Engineering, Construction Management, Engineering Management, or a related field.
• 5+ years of experience supporting project controls on capital or infrastructure projects.
• Working-level proficiency with Primavera P6.
• Document Controls experience.
• Strong interpersonal and “can-do” attitude.
• Strong organizational skills; able to manage priorities across multiple projects.
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills.
• Highly proficient in Microsoft Office Suites
• Willingness to travel when required.
• Experience with PMIS software (examples listed in posting).
• Familiar with various project delivery methods (DBB, DB, EPCm, IPD, CMAR).
• Account for facility operational constraints and phasing requirements.

Responsibilities

• Support (establish) comprehensive project and program controls frameworks.
• Enforce controls procedures aligned with owner and regulatory requirements.
• Serve as advisor on program health and performance.
• Develop and maintain CPM schedules using Primavera P6.
• Establish WBS structures for complex, phased programs.
• Understand critical and float path analysis.
• Manage budgets, forecasts, ETCs, and EACs.
• Implement cost controls and performance measurement.
• Manage formal change and risk processes.
• Ensure integration of cost, schedule, risk, and scope.
• Produce executive dashboards and reports.
• Support quality audits and compliance reporting.
• Support PMIS platforms common across the AEC industry.
• Manage document control systems and associated workflows.

Skills

Primavera P6

CPM scheduling

Cost control

Document controls

MS Office

Education

Bachelor’s degree in Engineering or related field

Tools

PMIS software

Excel

PowerPoint

Job description

At HDR, our employee-owners are fully engaged in creating a welcoming environment where each of us is valued and respected, a place where everyone is empowered to bring their authentic selves and novel ideas to work every day.

As we foster a culture of inclusion throughout our company and within our communities, we constantly ask ourselves: What is our impact on the world?

Each and every role throughout our organization makes a difference in our ability to change the world for the better. Read further to learn how you could help make great things possible not only in your community, but around the world.

Overview

The Project Controls Specialist is responsible for project controls activities in support of Project Managers, Program Managers, and Project Controls leadership. The role focuses on supporting, maintaining, analyzing, and reporting project cost and schedule information to support informed decision making. This position is non supervisory and emphasizes technical accuracy, consistency, and disciplined controls execution within defined procedures. Role Purpose The Project Controls Specialist is responsible for supporting, implementing, and enforcing program-wide project controls practices that enable scope, schedule, budget, and risk performance across capital programs. The role partners closely with Program Managers, Project Managers, Owners, Finance, Procurement, Design, Construction, and Operations to provide transparent, decision-ready information.

Primary Responsibilities

• Support (establish) comprehensive project and program controls frameworks
• Enforce controls procedures aligned with owner and regulatory requirements
• Serve as advisor on program health and performance
• Develop and maintain CPM schedules using Primavera P6
• Establish WBS structures for complex, phased programs
• Understand critical and float path analysis
• Manage budgets, forecasts, ETCs, and EACs
• Implement cost controls and performance measurement
• Manage formal change and risk processes
• Ensure integration of cost, schedule, risk, and scope
• Produce executive dashboards and reports
• Support quality control/quality assurance audits and compliance reporting
• Support PMIS platforms common across the AEC industry
• Manage document control systems and associated workflows

Preferred Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Engineering, Construction Management, Engineering Management, or a related field.
• 5+ years of experience supporting project controls functions on capital or infrastructure projects.
• Working‑level proficiency with Primavera P6.
• Document Controls experience
• Strong interpersonal skills and “can-do” attitude.
• Strong organizational skills; able to manage priorities and workflow on multiple simultaneous projects.
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills.
• Highly proficient in the use of Microsoft Office Suites
• Ability to prioritize completing demands for your time in a fast-paced environment.
• Ability to self-manage work and collaborate effectively with a team from different locations at all organizational levels.
• Commitment to excellence and high standards.
• Willingness to travel when required
• Experience with PMIS software (eBuilder, ProCore, QuickBase, InEight, Kahua, PMWeb, etc.)
• Familiar with variation of project controls role using various delivery methods including traditional design bid build (DBB), design-build (DB), EPCm, progressive design build (PDB), Integrated Project Delivery (IPD), and/or construction management at-risk (CMAR).
• Account for facility operational constraints such as work windows, facility access restrictions, and phasing requirements.
• Assist with tracking schedule and cost impacts related to operations and regulatory requirements

Required Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree
• The capability to actively progress knowledge in the areas of:
  • Oral and written communication skills
  • Interpersonal and leadership skills
  • Coordination and prioritization of multiple long and short-term tasks
  • Organizational, analytical and problem-solving abilities
• An attitude and commitment to being an active participant of our employee-owned culture is a must
• Sponsorship (visa) for US employment authorization is not available now or in the future for this position

What We Believe

HDR is our company. Together, we build on each other's life experiences and perspectives to make great things possible every day. This shapes our collaborative culture, encourages organizational trust and connects us closer to the clients and communities we serve.

Our Commitment

As employee owners, we all have a role in creating an inclusive environment where each of us is welcomed, valued, respected and empowered to bring our authentic selves to work every day.

Our eight Employee Network Groups (Asian Pacific, Black, Hispanic/Latino(a), LGBTQ+, People with Disabilities, Veterans, Women, Young Professionals) help create a sense of belonging and foster a supportive environment where everyone is empowered to engage and contribute. Each group has an executive sponsor and is open to all employees.

At HDR, we are committed to the principles of employment equity. We are an Equal Opportunity Employer. We consider all qualified candidates regardless of criminal historias, arrest and conviction records.