Project Controls Specialist

KDG Construction Consulting is seeking a Project Controls Specialist to lead and coordinate detailed cost and contract performance management frameworks for new construction and renovation work within a large-scale aviation capital improvement program. This role is responsible for developing and maintaining complex cost control systems that incorporate several variance and risk models used to finalize capital program execution plans. The Project Controls Specialist will act as an integral member of an owner’s program and project controls team, being directly responsible for managing project controls across multiple, interdependent projects of a large scale. This role requires a leader capable of collaborating with project managers, construction managers, control discipline leads, finance, and risk staff to monitor, report on, and negotiate issues on assigned projects.

Position Summary: The Project Controls Specialist is responsible for reviewing designer and contractor submitted cost data and performing comprehensive analyses to ensure all submittals meet or exceed the requirements set forth by the contracts. This role requires a professional with a solid understanding of design and construction methodologies and project life-cycles, providing the owner with objective assessments of cost performance throughout the budgeting, invoicing, and closeout phases. The Project Controls Specialist will engage in direct discussions with contractors to understand the basis of cost and risk variations, supporting the owner’s understanding of potential liabilities for the negotiation of appropriate settlements and successful completion of audits.

Key Responsibilities

Project & Design Management Support:

• Review project cost submittals by Design and Contractor Teams, ensuring they follow project coding and asset register structure.

• Perform independent analysis of submitted costs for the Owner, including preliminary budgets, baseline expenditure models, monthly invoice progress reports, resource management plans, and final project closeout accounts.

• Apply project controls experience on large complex projects throughout the project life cycle, including planning, design, and construction.

• Develop and implement KPIs and technical progress indicators to effectively communicate complex financial forecasting and/or risk assessments.

• Provide reports of analyses and briefing materials as required, communicating progress and findings to both technical and management-level personnel.

Construction & Operational Coordination:

• Facilitate coordination on interface issues between multiple projects to ensure seamless integration of cost recording and monitoring.

• Review monthly expenditure updates and corresponding recovery plans, risk assessments, and forecast adjustments as applicable.

• Complete analyses of contractor’s financial claims and related cost impacts within the context of contract documents and industry practice.

• Examine project capitalization and actual expenditure schedules for optimization, identifying related disruption, efficiency, and recovery opportunities.

• Recommend apportionment of costs and assist in resolving change order and claims disputes in accordance with applicable, accepted industry practices and owner requirements.

Risk, Financial & Stakeholder Leadership:

• Identify, understand, and apply the relevant sections of the contract to each cost review and risk evaluation to protect the owner's interests.

• Perform complex cost variance analysis and assist in the identification of risks, interdependencies across projects, and claims management.

• Assist with internal and external audit responses, and provide observations on potential cost mitigation and related project controls issues.

• Maintain excellent working relationships with design, construction, and finance professionals geared toward open communication and mutual problem-solving.

Qualifications Required:

• 15+ years of project controls and construction cost management experience, preferably within active, multi-million dollar capital construction programs covering multiple projects.

• Direct project controls experience on a large-scale construction program evaluating and reporting on at least two types of Alternative Delivery methods (including Design-Bid-Build, Design+CMAR, and Design/Build).

• Demonstrated success on the job, as evidenced by satisfactory performance, acceptance of responsibility, and clear growth in previous positions.

• Advanced use of Microsoft Office Suite (specifically expert-level Excel and Word) along with related software tools such as Adobe Acrobat and industry PMIS systems (e.g., PMWeb).

• Proficient in project management information tools and standard documentation systems.

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

Preferred:

• Relevant Professional Licensure & Certifications (e.g., PMP, PE, PMI-SP, AAAE, LEED) are strongly preferred.

• Master’s degree in a related field is preferred.

• Prior experience in aviation and large transportation projects is highly desirable.

• Familiarity or experience with Oracle Primavera Project Planner Version 6.0 or higher is desirable.

• Demonstrated experience scheduling, estimating, or managing risk for multiple concurrent and interrelated projects from an owner's representative perspective.

• Proven accuracy, reliability, and completeness in job accomplishment.

Core Competencies:

• High level of communication skills to effectively convey technical, financial, and cost-related information in oral and written form to non-expert audiences.

• Ability to work collaboratively with other subject matter experts and resources to support the owner’s evaluation of costs, risks, and capitalization.

• Expert knowledge of technical and complicated construction programs, contracts, and financial project controls methodologies.

• Strong organizational and time management skills to ensure accurate, timely tracking of multiple interdependent projects.

Anticipated Salary Range: $168,000.00 – $185,000.00 per year

About KDG: KDG Construction Consulting is a leading provider of program, project, and construction management services. The firm serves clients in a broad range of markets throughout Southern California, including aviation, transportation, and infrastructure. KDG provides a full spectrum of management and technical services spanning the entire life cycle of a construction project. 

Employment with KDG: KDG is an Equal Opportunity Employer, and qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, ethnicity, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, veteran status, or disability status.

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