Senior Project Controls Manager — Cost, Schedule & Risk

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

Job summary

PMA is seeking a Project Controls Manager to lead cost management, scheduling, forecasting, and risk analysis across engineering, construction, infrastructure, and capital projects. You will guide project teams, manage budgets, and drive continuous improvement throughout project delivery.

The successful candidate will oversee a team of controls professionals, ensure EVM and CPM methodologies are applied, and collaborate with clients and stakeholders to optimize performance and outcomes.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Engineering, Construction Management, or related field required.
• 10+ years of experience in project controls, cost engineering, scheduling, or PM support.
• Proven leadership on complex projects with multiple stakeholders.
• Expertise in Primavera P6 scheduling for construction and capital projects.
• Strong knowledge of EVM, CPM, forecasting, risk analysis and change management.
• Proficiency with cost management systems and project controls reporting tools.

Responsibilities

• Lead project controls activities including cost control, scheduling, forecasting, EVM, risk, and change management.
• Develop and maintain project controls procedures, systems, and best practices.
• Provide strategic controls support to project managers and leaders.
• Support WBS creation, reporting frameworks, and performance measurement systems.
• Direct schedules, critical path analyses, and resource-loaded plans.
• Communicate status and performance to clients, contractors, and internal teams.
• Mentor and develop project controls staff; participate in staffing.
• Ensure data integrity and compliance with standards.

Skills

Project controls leadership

Cost management

Scheduling

Forecasting costs

Risk management

Earned value management

Change management

CPM / Critical path

Stakeholder management

Excel advanced

Education

Bachelor's degree in Engineering or related field

Construction Management degree

Advanced degree preferred

Tools

Primavera P6

Cost management software

Project controls reporting tools

Microsoft Excel (advanced)

Job description

PMA is seeking a Project Controls Manager to lead cost management, scheduling, forecasting, and risk analysis across engineering, construction, infrastructure, and capital projects. You will guide project teams, manage budgets, and drive continuous improvement throughout project delivery.

The successful candidate will oversee a team of controls professionals, ensure EVM and CPM methodologies are applied, and collaborate with clients and stakeholders to optimize performance and outcomes.