Project Controls Cost Sr Advisor

Job Description

Job Description

Benefits:

• Health insurance
• Paid time off
• Vision insurance
• Competitive salary
• Dental insurance
• Employee discounts

About us:  
Terravanta is a certified woman- and minority-owned business providing project management, engineering, and sustainable solutions across the energy, transportation, aviation, and education sectors. We are committed to quality, excellence, and proactive problem-solving, helping clients achieve successful outcomes at every stage of project delivery. 

At Terravanta, we value our people, foster a collaborative and inclusive culture, and provide opportunities to make a meaningful impact. Guided by our commitment to environmental stewardship, sustainability, and responsible business practices, we create lasting value for both our clients and the communities we serve. Through community engagement, partnerships, and service, we strive to make a positive difference beyond our projects. At Terravanta, you'll be part of a purpose-driven team dedicated to excellence, innovation, and building stronger, more sustainable communities. 

About this role:  
Terravanta is seeking an experienced Project Controls Lead to support complex energy and infrastructure projects. The ideal candidate will have a strong background in cost management, budgeting, forecasting, and project controls within the energy/infrastructure industry, with a proven finance/accounting experience with California Publich Utilities Commission and strong Power Query, Power BI, DAX programming background and ability to deliver accurate, timely, and actionable project performance insights. 

 

Responsibilities:  

• Works closely with Transmission and Distribution stakeholders to prepare cost estimates, develop and maintain project budgets, forecasts, and cash flows for T&D operations. 
• Sets up cost monitoring and reporting systems 
• Applies extensive technical expertise and full knowledge of other related financial disciplines. Challenges are atypical and require the regular use of critical thinking, creativity, and resourcefulness. 
• Ensures the development and maintenance of accurate cost variances which support tracking of actual spend and volume units 
• Ability to present clearly to Senior Management and advise/consult when recorded costs are either overrun or underrun as compared to the approved budget 
• Prepares monthly, and year-end forecasts and advises management and stakeholders on risks and opportunities in meeting performance targets. 
• Analyzes monthly variances from budget and latest forecast and identifies key cost and unit completion trends. Performs trend analysis and actively evaluates monthly project cost performance. 
• Develops Operating plans for O&M (Operations & Maintenance) and Capital activities. 
• Coordinates discussions with stakeholders to propose solutions for gaps to year-end and operating plan performance targets. 
• Stays up to date on industry trends, regulatory changes, and emerging technologies in cost engineering and construction management. 
• Leads review process to ensure project costs are accurate and structured in a manner that meets major and multi-year projects or program requirements (e.g., work breakdown structure, Continuous Property Records, FERC/CPUC jurisdictional splits, and cost elements/drivers) 
• Performs highly complex analytics and prepares and presents results, alternatives, and recommendations to support business decisions, manage project costs and schedules, and mitigate potential risks 
• Leads or prepares project controls data request responses and work papers in supporting corporate/Organizational Unit governance (e.g. Business Oversight Team and Capital Review Team), internal/external audits, General Rate Cases, and any pertinent regulatory filings.) 
• Stay up to date on project controls innovations, industry standards, and participate in industry forums as expert in the industry. 

Requirements:

• Bachelor’s Degree in applicable Financial/Accounting profession , business, technical discipline or an equivalent combination of education, training, and experience. 
• 7+ years’ experience in financial cost controls for utilities 
• Electric Utility Expertise : Transmission, Distribution, Substations, Generation 
• Knowledgeable of California Public Utilities Commission (CPUC ); understanding of accounting practices of Capital and O&M cost determination 
• Experience using Microsoft Office software, Business Intelligence, SAS, and SAP 
• Expert Excel experience, including Power Query 
• Intermediate Power BI experience, including DAX programming 
• Experience with Primavera P6 and Microsoft Project. 
• Proficiency with Microsoft Office Suite (Excel, Word, PowerPoint, Teams, SharePoint, Visio) and SAP. 
• Experience in project controls, construction, or infrastructure projects (strongly preferred). 

 
Certifications (Preferred)  

• Planning & Scheduling Professional (PSP) 
• Earned Value Professional (EVP) 
• Certified Cost Professional (CCP) 
• Project Management Professional (PMP) 

Software  

• Primavera P6 
• Microsoft Project 
• Microsoft Excel (advanced scheduling applications)  

Core Skills  

• Strong communication and stakeholder coordination 
• Proactive and solution-oriented mindset 
• Critical thinking and analytical capability 
• Strong judgment and decision-making skills 
• Adaptability in dynamic project environments 
• High attention to detail and organizational skills 

Flexible work from home options available.