Cost Controller

POSITION SUMMARYThe Director of Cost Controls is responsible for developing, implementing, and continuously improving Evans' company-wide project cost-control program. The position establishes consistent standards for cost forecasting, projections, commitments, change management, general conditions, cost exposure, risk identification, scheduling, and project financial reporting across all divisions and projects.The Director serves as the primary connection between Operations, Finance/Accounting, Executive Leadership, and Project Teams, ensuring financial information is timely, accurate, understandable, and actionable. The objective is straightforward: identify financial risk early enough to do something about it.DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIESCompany Cost-Control StandardsDevelop and maintain the Evans’ Cost Controls Standard Operating Procedures and one consistent methodology across Autodesk Forma (ACC) and Vista for project financial management.Implement companywide standards for cost projections, forecasting, cost-to-complete, commitments, general conditions, contingency, allowances, owner and subcontractor change management, exposure tracking, buyout, cost-code standardization, and project closeout.Eliminate unnecessary variation between offices and Project Teams while recognizing legitimate differences between project types.Own the operational implementation and governance of the cost-control platform, including the relationship between ACC and Vista.Maintain data integrity, standardized configuration, and consistent use of the platform across all divisions and Project Teams.Project Financial Performance & ForecastingEstablish a recurring review process that identifies financial problems before they become losses, reviewing project financial performance with Division Managers, Project Executives, and Project Teams.Focus reviews on current margin versus original and prior forecast, margin gain/fade, cost-to-complete accuracy, general conditions burn and projected completion, and uncommitted cost exposure.Evaluate buyout performance, pending owner changes, subcontractor change exposure, contingency usage, scope gaps, schedule-related cost exposure, staffing and manpower cost accuracy, and aging unresolved financial items.Challenge unsupported assumptions and require teams to explain significant changes.Develop a Cost Controls Dashboard that allows leadership to quickly identify projects requiring attention,Identify projects with deteriorating margin, general conditions overruns, unresolved change exposure, inaccurate forecasting, delayed design/buyout, contingency consumption, schedule-cost exposure, or repeated projection adjustments.Maintain a clear understanding of each project’s current financial exposure, potential cost impact, responsible owner, and corrective action plan.Training & DevelopmentDevelop and deliver a Cost Controls Training Program for Assistant Project Managers, Project Managers, Senior Project Managers, Project Executives, Operations Managers, and Division Managers.Train Project Teams and Operations leaders on effective use of cost-control software, existing tools, and standardized processes to support accurate forecasting, reporting, and financial decision-making.Build financial discipline across Project Teams by teaching cost-to-complete forecasting, general conditions management, cost leakage identification, scope-gap recognition, contingency management, schedule-impact evaluation, commitment tracking, change management, and interpretation of project financial reportsReinforce practical cost-control habits without creating unnecessary administrative burden.Operations & Finance AlignmentPartner with the CFO, Controller, and Operations leadership to ensure project forecasts are aligned with accounting records and accurately reflect current project performance.Translate between Accounting and Operations by connecting historical cost data with projected outcomes and risks, giving clear, actionable insight into where each project has been, where it is trending, and what decisions are needed to protect financial performance.Project Intervention & Risk-Based OversightApply a risk-based cost-control oversight model that adjusts the level of review, reporting, and support based on each project’s financial performance, risk profile, and operational needs.Provide standard oversight for performing projects with experienced teams through the normal recurring review process.Escalate oversight when projects show elevated risks, including margin erosion, general conditions pressure, unresolved change exposure, forecasting concerns, inexperienced teams, schedule issues, or other financial warning signs.Participate directly with Operations leadership and Project Teams when material financial deterioration requires cost recovery, project intervention, corrective action planning, and follow-up accountability.Track required action items, responsible parties, and recovery-plan progress to ensure financial risks are addressed timely and consistently.Other responsibilities as assigned.Other Requirements:Bachelor's degree in Construction Management, Engineering, Finance, Accounting, or a related field required; equivalent experience may be considered where appropriate.At least ten (10) years of progressive commercial construction experience with significant responsibility for project cost control, forecasting, and financial reporting.Demonstrated experience establishing or leading company-wide cost-control standards, processes, or programs across multiple projects, teams, or offices.Strong working knowledge of construction accounting, cost-to-complete forecasting, general conditions management, buyout, change management, and project financial reporting.Experience with Autodesk Forma/Cost Management and Viewpoint Vista, or comparable cost-management and accounting platforms.Experience in design-build, general contracting, or large-scale complex project environments strongly preferred.Superior written and verbal communication skills, with the ability to present financial information simply to senior leaders and influence decisions across team members, partners, and clients.Ability to identify financial risk early and drive accountability without eroding trust or ownership at the Project-Team level.Effective trainer and communicator who can teach financial thinking to both experienced and developing project professionals.Collaborative working style with the ability to build trust across Operations, Finance/Accounting, and Project Teams.Proficiency with cost-management and accounting software, dashboards/reporting tools, and the Microsoft Office Suite.