Project Controls Specialist – Construction

Per Sé Group; Cedar Rapids (IA); On-site; USD 70,000 - 100,000; Full time

Job summary

Per Sé Group is seeking an experienced Project Controls Specialist to support strategic construction projects for a major energy organization in Cedar Rapids, IA. This role serves as a key controls resource throughout development, construction, and closeout.

The position covers Primavera P6 scheduling, cost forecasting, earned value, resource-loaded schedules, accruals, change orders, cash flow, and contract administration.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Engineering, Construction, Project Management, Business, a technical discipline, or related field.
• Hands-on experience using Oracle Primavera P6 on major construction projects.
• Experience developing and analyzing cost- and work-hour resource-loaded schedules.
• Experience with EVMS and project performance measurement.
• Strong project cost-control experience, including forecasting, accruals, cash flow, and progress measurement.
• Ability to analyze project schedules and identify risks, trends, delays, and potential corrective actions.
• Understanding of construction contracting methodologies including EPC, Lump Sum, Unit Price, Time & Material, and Cost Plus.
• Ability to interpret contractual requirements and determine their impact during project execution.
• Experience evaluating and negotiating construction change orders.
• Strong analytical and problem-solving capabilities.
• Understanding of corporate financial reporting and project accounting requirements.
• Experience with Oracle Primavera Unifier, UIPlanner, construction document-control systems, electric generation projects, and gas turbine generation is highly valued.

Responsibilities

• Lead project controls activities supporting major strategic construction projects.
• Develop, maintain, review, and analyze detailed project schedules using Oracle Primavera P6.
• Monitor schedule performance, contractual milestones, critical activities, and construction progress.
• Maintain detailed project estimates and forecasts throughout project execution.
• Ensure forecasts incorporate current risks, pending change orders, contingency, and anticipated project costs.
• Track and communicate project cost performance against approved budgets.
• Prepare and update project cash-flow forecasts.
• Coordinate with Accounting and Finance regarding project forecasting, accounting, accruals, and journal-entry support.
• Perform monthly project accruals.
• Manage cost and work-hour resource-loaded schedules used for progress and payment measurement.
• Utilize Earned Value Management (EVM) to measure and communicate project progress and performance.
• Review contractor schedules and validate reported progress against actual project performance.
• Identify cost and schedule concerns early and recommend corrective actions.
• Monitor project risks and leading indicators that could affect cost or schedule.
• Obtain and evaluate contractor action plans when performance requires improvement.
• Perform quantity takeoffs as needed to validate estimates, pricing, and reported progress.
• Work directly with contractors, vendors, suppliers, and service providers to validate cost and schedule information.
• Review contractual and commercial requirements and apply them during project execution.
• Support contract administration and evaluate and negotiate change orders.
• Interface with project teams and corporate stakeholders regarding project controls performance and reporting.
• Provide project controls and contractual-scheduling guidance and training as needed.

Skills

Primavera P6

EVMS

Cost control

Schedule analysis

Risk identification

Change orders

Contracting methods

Communication skills

Analytical problem solving

Project accounting

Education

Bachelor's degree in Engineering/Construction/PM/Business

Tools

Oracle Primavera P6

Oracle Primavera Unifier

UIPlanner

Job description

Project Controls Specialist – Construction

Cedar Rapids, IA

If you can look at a project schedule and cost forecast and spot trouble before it shows up in the monthly report, keep reading.

Per Sé Group is seeking an experienced Project Controls Specialist to support strategic construction projects for a major energy organization in Cedar Rapids, IA. This position will serve as a key project controls resource throughout the project lifecycle—from development through construction and final closeout.

This isn’t just a scheduling role. You’ll have visibility across Primavera P6, cost forecasting, earned value, resource-loaded schedules, accruals, change orders, cash flow, and construction contracts to help project teams understand where projects stand and where they’re headed.

What You’ll Do

• Lead project controls activities supporting major strategic construction projects.

• Develop, maintain, review, and analyze detailed project schedules using Oracle Primavera P6.

• Monitor schedule performance, contractual milestones, critical activities, and construction progress.

• Maintain detailed project estimates and forecasts throughout project execution.

• Ensure forecasts incorporate current risks, pending change orders, contingency, and anticipated project costs.

• Track and communicate project cost performance against approved budgets.

• Prepare and update project cash-flow forecasts.

• Coordinate with Accounting and Finance regarding project forecasting, accounting, accruals, and journal-entry support.

• Perform monthly project accruals.

• Manage cost and work-hour resource-loaded schedules used for progress and payment measurement.

• Utilize Earned Value Management (EVM) to measure and communicate project progress and performance.

• Review contractor schedules and validate reported progress against actual project performance.

• Identify cost and schedule concerns early and recommend corrective actions.

• Monitor project risks and leading indicators that could affect cost or schedule.

• Obtain and evaluate contractor action plans when performance requires improvement.

• Perform quantity takeoffs as needed to validate estimates, pricing, and reported progress.

• Work directly with contractors, vendors, suppliers, and service providers to validate cost and schedule information.

• Review contractual and commercial requirements and apply them during project execution.

• Support contract administration and evaluate and negotiate change orders.

• Interface with project teams and corporate stakeholders regarding project controls performance and reporting.

• Provide project controls and contractual-scheduling guidance and training as needed.

What You’ll Bring

• Bachelor’s degree in Engineering, Construction, Project Management, Business, a technical discipline, or related field.

• Hands‑on experience using Oracle Primavera P6 on major construction projects.

• Experience developing and analyzing cost- and work-hour resource-loaded schedules.

• Experience with Earned Value Management Systems (EVMS) and project performance measurement.

• Strong project cost-control experience, including forecasting, accruals, cash flow, and progress measurement.

• Ability to analyze project schedules and identify risks, trends, delays, and potential corrective actions.

• Understanding of construction contracting methodologies including EPC, Lump Sum, Unit Price, Time & Material, and Cost Plus.

• Ability to interpret contractual requirements and determine their impact during project execution.

• Experience evaluating and negotiating construction change orders.

• Strong analytical and problem-solving capabilities.

• Understanding of corporate financial reporting and project accounting requirements.

• Strong communication skills and ability to work effectively with project teams, Finance, Accounting, contractors, vendors, and other stakeholders.

Experience with Oracle Primavera Unifier, UIPlanner, construction document-control systems, electric generation projects, and gas turbine generation is highly valued.

About Per Sé Group

Per Sé Group is a leading technical and professional recruiting firm specializing in the power generation, renewable energy, utilities, oil & gas, chemical, manufacturing, and construction industries. We connect talented professionals with industry-leading organizations on contract, contract-to-hire, and direct hire opportunities across North America.

Whether you’re looking for your next project or your next long-term career move, Per Sé Group is committed to helping you achieve your professional goals while providing exceptional service throughout the hiring process.

Per Sé Group is an Equal Opportunity Employer. Qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, disability, veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity, or any other characteristic protected by applicable law.