Sr. Associate, Project Controls

RWE; Chicago (IL); On-site; USD 103,000 - 145,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical Insurance

401(k) match

Paid time off

Job summary

RWE is seeking a Senior Project Controls Associate in Chicago, IL, to deliver detailed project control reports and manage budget activities. The role involves conducting analyses of project performance and ensuring compliance across various workstreams.

Ideal candidates should hold a Bachelor's degree and have at least 3 years of experience in project controls or financial analysis. The position includes a salary range between $103,000 and $145,000, along with comprehensive benefits.

Qualifications

• Minimum of 3 years of experience in project controls or financial analysis.
• Strong leadership and communication skills.
• Detail-oriented with strong business acumen.

Responsibilities

• Deliver detailed project control reports and manage budget activities.
• Conduct advanced analyses of project performance metrics.
• Support compliance and provide strategic insights.

Skills

Project controls processes

Financial analysis

Data manipulation

Analytical skills

Interpersonal skills

Education

Bachelor’s degree in Engineering, Construction Management, Finance, or related field

Tools

Microsoft Office (Excel, Word, PowerPoint, Outlook, Teams)

Job description

RWE Americas, LLC

Full time, permanent. To start as soon as possible.

Functional area: Finance / Controlling; Project Management

Remuneration: Exempt

Senior Project Controls Associate

Responsible for delivering detailed and timely project control reports, managing recurring budget activities, and conducting advanced analyses of project performance. This role ensures financial accuracy, supports compliance, and provides strategic insights to drive project success across multiple workstreams.

Role Responsibilities

• Collaborate with Preconstruction, Execution Project Managers, and Controllers to deliver comprehensive project control reports, including schedule, cost, and budget performance.
• Take ownership of recurring budget activities such as forecasting, accruals, and weekly financial snapshots, ensuring alignment with project milestones.
• Conduct advanced analyses of project performance metrics and variances (OKRs); validate contractor invoices and change orders, and support resolution discussions.
• Support Tax Equity deliverables and Purchase Requisition processes, ensuring compliance, accuracy, and integrity of SAP project expenditure data, and timely execution of project financial workflows.
• Maintain and enhance dashboards, trackers, and SharePoint documentation to ensure accuracy and usability for stakeholders.
• Identify and communicate risks or inconsistencies in project data, recommending process improvements for efficiency and accuracy.
• Analyze root causes, uncover risks and opportunities, and document lessons learned for future optimization.
• Accurately forecast complex financial cash expenditures and manage accruals.
• Conduct in-depth performance analysis of actual spend against budget, utilizing advanced analytical tools to provide strategic insights and recommendations.
• Efficiently create, monitor, and implement purchase orders, continuously tracking their progress and ensuring execution in accordance with organizational policies and procedures.
• Facilitate review sessions for assigned projects to align teams and resolve issues, with support from senior team members.
• Build relationships and networks with internal and external partners, adapting communication style to advise on complex matters.

Job Requirements and Experience

• Bachelor’s degree in Engineering, Construction Management, Finance, Business Administration, or a related field.
• Minimum of 3 years of experience in project controls, financial analysis, or a related discipline.
• Strong interpersonal skills, with the ability to manage customer relationships.
• Demonstrated desire to learn about the Company and the renewables space.
• Applies working knowledge of project controls processes across multiple projects.
• Proficient in manipulating and validating data across systems.
• Strong analytical, problem‑solving, and data interpretation skills.
• Excellent proficiency with Microsoft Office (Excel, Word, PowerPoint, Outlook) and Teams.
• Strong leadership and communication skills, and ability to meet deadlines.
• Strong organization skills and ability to coordinate multiple tasks and deliverables.
• Ability to multi‑task, while working independently and as part of a team.
• Motivated self‑starter, goal‑oriented, and strong problem‑solving abilities.
• Proven ability to empathize, build relationships, and effectively communicate with people from a diverse set of backgrounds.
• Responds well to direction, is easy to challenge and develop, and is coachable.
• Is detail‑oriented, has strong business acumen, and a sound understanding of business concepts.
• This position is an office‑based role with some travel and visits to other RWEA offices and field locations.
• Must be able to sit, walk, or stand for long durations of time.

Pay Range (Illinois)

The annual base salary range for this position is $103,000 - $145,000.

Benefits Offered

Medical, Dental, Vision, Life Insurance, Short‑Term Disability, Long‑Term Disability, 401(k) match, Flexible Spending Accounts, EAP, Education Assistance, Parental Leave, Paid time off, and Holidays. Eligible employees also participate in short‑term incentives, in addition to salary.

EEO Statement

All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, religion, national origin, disability, veteran status, or other legally protected status.

Applicants must be legally authorized to work in the United States. RWE Americas is unable to sponsor or take over sponsorship of employment visas at this time.