Senior Project Controls Manager

Buro Happold; United States; Hybrid; USD 100,000 - 130,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Generous benefits package

Annual discretionary bonus

Hybrid working and flexible options

401(k) with company match

Job summary

Buro Happold in the United States is seeking a Senior Project Controls Manager to join our US Project Operations team. The role offers remote work with hybrid flexibility, ideally near EST office locations.

You will partner with leaders to improve project financial performance, forecasting accuracy, and commercial governance across a range of projects. You will bring deep Deltek Vantagepoint expertise, strong analytical skills, and the ability to translate complex project data into practical

Qualifications

• 8+ years of experience in project controls, project finance, commercial management, project accounting, project operations, or project delivery support.
• Experience within architecture, engineering, consulting, design, planning, construction, or another project-based professional services environment.
• Deep working knowledge of Deltek Vantagepoint, including project setup, project financial management, forecasting, planning, billing, reporting, and invoicing.

Responsibilities

• Partner with Project Directors, Project Principals, Job Leaders, and Discipline Leaders to review project financial performance, identify risks and opportunities, and support informed commercial decisions.
• Lead and support project and portfolio reviews focused on profitability, forecasting, fee performance, project health, contingency, invoicing, debt management, resourcing, and commercial risk.
• Analyze project financial variances, identify root causes, recommend corrective actions, and elevate material concerns where appropriate.
• Serve as a subject matter expert for Deltek Vantagepoint, including project setup, planning, billing, reporting, forecasting, invoicing, and project finance workflows.
• Improve project data quality, reporting consistency, system utilization, and cross-functional collaboration between Project Operations, Finance, Legal, and project teams.
• Develop and enhance dashboards, reports, templates, trackers, and management review materials using Deltek Vantagepoint, Excel, Power BI, and related tools.
• Support the evolution of project reviews from retrospective reporting to proactive decision support focused on profit, risk, contingency, debt, invoicing, and resource planning.
• Build trusted relationships with project leaders and provide clear, practical guidance on financial performance and project controls.
• Coach and train project teams and Project Operations colleagues on forecasting, financial planning, invoicing, risk management, project controls, and effective use of project systems.
• Lead process improvement initiatives including workflow analysis, documentation, stakeholder engagement, implementation, and adoption.
• Identify opportunities to leverage automation, Power Platform solutions, and responsible AI tools to improve reporting, workflow efficiency, communication, and operational effectiveness.
• Provide technical leadership, mentorship, quality assurance, and development support across the Project Operations team.

Skills

Project controls

Financial analysis

Stakeholder management

Communication

Process improvement

Education

Bachelor’s degree in Accounting, Finance, Business, Engineering, Project Management

Tools

Deltek Vantagepoint

Excel

Power BI

Job description

The following content displays a map of the jobs location - Chicago; Pittsburgh; Boston; NYC; Atlanta; Durham

Job Reference burohappold/TP/132643/2639

Number of Positions:

1

Contract Type:

Permanent

Competitive

Working Hours:

40

Location:

Chicago; Pittsburgh; Boston; NYC; Atlanta; Durham

Closing Date:

12/01/2027

Job Category:

Business Support

Business Unit:

USA

Project Operations

Senior Project Controls Manager

We are seeking a commercially minded and strategic Senior Project Controls Manager to join our US Project Operations team. This role can be based remotely within the United States with hybrid flexibility (preferably near one of our eastern standard time zone office locations as listed).

As a Senior Project Controls Manager, you will partner closely with Project Directors, Project Principals, Job Leaders, Discipline Leaders, Finance, Legal, and Project Operations colleagues to improve project financial performance, forecasting accuracy, commercial decision-making, and operational consistency across our business.

This is an excellent opportunity for a project controls, project finance, commercial management, or project operations professional with experience in architecture, engineering, construction, design, or another project-based professional services environment. You will bring deep expertise in Deltek Vantagepoint, strong financial acumen, and the ability to turn complex project data into practical business insights and actions.

Here at Buro Happold, expect the exceptional

From the projects you will work on to the clients we work with. From career-defining opportunities to an inclusive and diverse practice where we all contribute to a more equitable world. From our reputation to our relationships. Wherever your Buro Happold career takes you, it’ll be anything but ordinary.

Your next role

Join us and help shape the future of project operations within a global, multidisciplinary consultancy. Working with leaders across the business, you will provide forward-looking commercial insight, improve consistency of project controls practices, and help project teams make better decisions through meaningful data, systems expertise, and process improvement.

You will play a key role in strengthening project financial performance, supporting operational excellence, and driving improvements in reporting, forecasting, risk management, and commercial governance.

• Partner with Project Directors, Project Principals, Job Leaders, and Discipline Leaders to review project financial performance, identify risks and opportunities, and support informed commercial decisions
• Lead and support project and portfolio reviews focused on profitability, forecasting, fee performance, project health, contingency, invoicing, debt management, resourcing, and commercial risk
• Analyze project financial variances, identify root causes, recommend corrective actions, and elevate material concerns where appropriate
• Serve as a subject matter expert for Deltek Vantagepoint, including project setup, planning, billing, reporting, forecasting, invoicing, and project finance workflows
• Improve project data quality, reporting consistency, system utilization, and cross-functional collaboration between Project Operations, Finance, Legal, and project teams
• Develop and enhance dashboards, reports, templates, trackers, and management review materials using Deltek Vantagepoint, Excel, Power BI, and related tools
• Support the evolution of project reviews from retrospective reporting to proactive decision support focused on profit, risk, contingency, debt, invoicing, and resource planning
• Build trusted relationships with project leaders and provide clear, practical guidance on financial performance and project controls
• Coach and train project teams and Project Operations colleagues on forecasting, financial planning, invoicing, risk management, project controls, and effective use of project systems
• Lead process improvement initiatives including workflow analysis, documentation, stakeholder engagement, implementation, and adoption
• Identify opportunities to leverage automation, Power Platform solutions, and responsible AI tools to improve reporting, workflow efficiency, communication, and operational effectiveness
• Provide technical leadership, mentorship, quality assurance, and development support across the Project Operations team

Your skills and experience

• Bachelor’s degree in Accounting, Finance, Business, Engineering, Project Management, or a related discipline; equivalent experience will also be considered
• 8+ years of experience in project controls, project finance, commercial management, project accounting, project operations, or project delivery support
• Experience within architecture, engineering, consulting, design, planning, construction, or another project-based professional services environment
• Deep working knowledge of Deltek Vantagepoint, including project setup, project financial management, forecasting, planning, billing, reporting, and invoicing
• Strong financial analysis skills with experience evaluating project profitability, utilization, revenue, forecasting, contingency, debt, invoicing, and commercial risk
• Advanced Excel skills and experience using Power BI or similar business intelligence and data visualization tools
• Demonstrated experience leading process improvement, workflow redesign, documentation, and change management initiatives
• Strong communication, facilitation, customer service, and stakeholder management skills, including experience influencing senior leaders
• Experience with automation tools, Power Platform, workflow technologies, AI-enabled solutions, or reporting automation is preferred
• PMP, PMI-SP, CCP, CPA, CMA, or similar professional certifications are desirable
• Ability to communicate complex financial and operational concepts clearly and effectively
• Candidates are encouraged to apply even if they do not meet every listed requirement

What we offer you

• Generous benefits package
• Annual discretionary bonus
• Generous PTO (4 weeks) in addition to 10 paid holidays
• 401(k) with company match and student loan repayment assistance
• Hybrid working and flexible work options
• Summer hours
• Reimbursement for certain professional licenses, renewals, certifications, and examination fees
• Access to professional development and learning opportunities
• Connection to a global network of experts and industry leaders
• Opportunities to contribute to innovation, process improvement, and digital transformation initiatives
• Connect with colleagues and build your network through our Employee Resource Groups, including the Young Employees Forum, Diversity & Inclusion Forum, Women's Network, Wellness Committee, and Black at Buro Happold

Compensation

Anticipated base annual salary: $100,000 – $130,000. The salary range listed for this position is intended as a general guideline and may vary based on factors such as location, education, skills, experience, and market conditions. We recognize that candidates bring diverse backgrounds and qualifications, and compensation may be adjusted accordingly. The posted range should not be viewed as a strict minimum or maximum limitation. Benefits and any additional compensation elements are separate from the base salary range listed.

A place for everyone

Buro Happold values an individual's flexible approaches to working patterns as an important part of how you work and achieve balance. We welcome applications from those who are seeking flexibility in their careers.

Our exceptional portfolio of projects is the result of the diversity of thought, identities, backgrounds, and experiences that shape us.Appreciating each other’s differences is key, we want employees to feel they don’t have to mask elements of their identity to thrive.

We are working to change the lack of representation of marginalised groups in the built environment. We are particularly keen to hear from anyone who feels they are underrepresented in the industry. We have much to learn from one another.Embracing differences allows us to develop the most innovative and elegant solutions.