Project Controls Specialist III (Cost Analyst)

Summary

Our client is seeking an experienced Project Controls Specialist III (Cost Analyst) to support large-scale capital construction projects for the Los Angeles Community College District. This individual will play a critical role in project budgeting, forecasting, cost analysis, financial reporting, and change management throughout the full project lifecycle.

The ideal candidate is highly analytical, detail-oriented, and experienced in construction cost controls within large capital programs. This person should be comfortable collaborating with project teams, leadership, and stakeholders while managing multiple priorities in a fast-paced environment. Strong experience with budgeting systems, financial reporting, forecasting, and project controls software is required.
Duties & Responsibilities

Project Cost Controls & Financial Management

• Maintain and manage the accuracy and integrity of project budgets and financial forecasts
  • Ensure compliance with established cost management procedures and policies
  • Monitor budget performance throughout the project lifecycle
  • Support overall project financial health and reporting accuracy
• Participate in monthly Estimate at Completion (EAC) reviews
  • Collaborate with PMO teams on variance analysis
  • Identify underlying causes of budget variances
  • Recommend corrective actions and mitigation strategies
• Allocate and manage Estimates to Complete (ETCs)
  • Support change order proposals, task order requests, PBAs, and vendor requests
  • Ensure alignment with project financial objectives
  • Maintain accurate cost coding and budget allocation
• Perform monthly reconciliation of budgets and project costs
  • Ensure month-end reporting accuracy
  • Validate cost tracking data and financial records
  • Monitor cost overruns and underruns
• Review and analyze project budgets across multiple funding sources
  • Ensure alignment with overall financial goals
  • Track and forecast project expenditures
  • Identify financial risks and exposures

Forecasting, Reporting & Analysis

• Conduct detailed analysis of:
  • Cost variances
  • Performance data
  • Forecasting trends
  • Schedule and cash flow impacts
• Generate detailed financial and budget reports using:
  • Proliance
  • Deltek Costpoint
  • Excel
  • Other project controls systems
• Create customized reports for:
  • College Project Directors
  • PMO leadership
  • Campus stakeholders
  • Financial and auditing teams
• Assist with staffing analysis and resource forecasting
  • Identify demand peaks
  • Recommend cost-effective staffing strategies
  • Support financial efficiency initiatives

Change Management & Project Controls

• Participate in change management and risk assessment meetings
  • Analyze cost-related trends and exposures
  • Support proactive mitigation planning
  • Monitor effectiveness of mitigation efforts
• Assist with preparation and validation of:
  • Contract amendments
  • Purchase requisitions
  • Task order requests
  • Change orders
  • PBAs
  • Financial closeouts
• Administer project control documentation within cost management systems
  • Ensure financial accuracy and compliance
  • Maintain reporting standards and procedures
  • Support dashboard and reporting development
• Manage and reconcile project controls data
  • Validate project budget information
  • Maintain database accuracy
  • Ensure alignment between financial systems and project reporting

Collaboration & Stakeholder Support

• Serve as a primary point of contact for project financial information requests
  • Provide timely and accurate reporting
  • Support PMO and stakeholder communication
  • Collaborate closely with project teams and leadership
• Work with scheduling teams to:
  • Evaluate cash flow impacts
  • Assess schedule performance impacts on costs
  • Identify forecasting concerns and financial risks
• Support contractor and consultant payment application reviews
  • Ensure compliance and financial accuracy
  • Validate supporting documentation
  • Assist with approvals and reconciliation

Qualifications & Requirements

Required Experience

• 5-10 years of professional experience in:
  • Project controls
  • Program controls
  • Construction cost management
  • Capital construction programs
• Experience supporting projects through the full project lifecycle
• Strong knowledge of:
  • Cost management
  • Schedule management
  • Earned value management
  • Forecasting
  • Risk assessment
  • Change management
• Experience presenting financial and cost data to leadership teams
• Strong communication and organizational skills
• Ability to work effectively in:
  • Fast-paced environments
  • Team-oriented settings
  • Professional business environments

Preferred Experience

• Experience with:
  • Proliance
  • Deltek Costpoint
  • Data Warehouse systems
  • Large capital construction programs
  • Educational facility projects
• Advanced Microsoft Excel skills

Education Requirements

• Bachelor's Degree in:
  • Engineering
  • Construction Management
  • Business
  • Related field
• Additional qualifying experience may substitute for education on a year-for-year basis