Project Controls Specialist

About the Role

If you're passionate about bringing clarity, structure, and insight to complex projects, this is an opportunity to play a key role in how projects are planned, tracked, and delivered. As a Project Controls professional, you'll work closely with project managers, engineers, construction teams, and accounting to help ensure projects stay on schedule, on budget, and execution-ready.

Depending on experience, this role can range from a strong entry-level contributor supporting key project controls functions to a senior-level resource influencing strategy, risk mitigation, and decision-making across multiple projects. The common thread is a focus on accuracy, accountability, and adding real value to project execution.

What You'll Do

• Support and/or lead project controls processes to ensure successful execution across one or more projects

• Set up and maintain projects within enterprise planning and controls systems

• Analyze project data, review logs, and generate reports to support schedule and cost visibility

• Create and manage Work Breakdown Structures (WBS) to support detailed planning and performance tracking

• Develop, maintain, and analyze schedules, cost reports, forecasts, and cash flow projections

• Support engineering, procurement, and construction planning, including logistics and cost control

• Partner with Project Managers to support execution plans, identify risks, and develop mitigation strategies

• Serve as a project controls resource for project team members, answering questions and providing guidance

• Review and support Purchase Orders and document changes to cost reports and forecasts

• Collaborate with Accounting and Project Management on cost reviews, contingencies, and audit requirements

• Review prime contract and subcontract change orders and assess schedule and cost impacts

• Develop and present project cash flow and performance reports to internal stakeholders

• Build and maintain detailed project schedules, including logic ties and (as experience allows) resource loading

• Support Interactive Project Planning Meetings (IPPM) and ongoing progress reviews

• Evaluate schedule performance using critical path methods, forecasting, and cost management techniques

• Perform schedule "what-if" analyses to support planning and decision-making

• Develop and maintain earned value and progress measurement systems

• Validate reported progress and maintain progress curves

• Perform material takeoffs as needed to support planning and reporting

• Conduct quality checks on project controls deliverables to ensure accuracy and consistency

• Perform field audits to confirm reported progress aligns with site conditions

• Assist with project forensic analysis when required

• Ensure compliance with company policies, standards, and best practices

What You Bring

• Experience in project controls, project coordination, scheduling, cost control, or a related project support function within construction, utilities, or infrastructure projects

• Understanding of project scheduling, cost tracking, forecasting, and progress measurement fundamentals (depth expected will scale with experience level)

• Ability to work across engineering, procurement, construction, and project management teams

• Strong analytical, organizational, and documentation skills

• Ability to work collaboratively in a fast-paced project environment

• Ability to obtain OSHA-10 certification

• Located in Lexington, KY

Preferred Qualifications

• Degree in engineering, construction management, project management, or a related field (or equivalent experience)

• Experience with change management, audits, cost reviews, or earned value analysis

• Experience building and analyzing detailed schedules, including critical path logic

• Strong communication skills with the ability to translate data into clear, actionable insights

Why You'll Want This Role

• Opportunity to join a team that views project controls as a strategic driver of project success, not just a reporting function

• Flexibility in responsibility and scope based on experience level, with clear opportunity for growth

• Exposure to all phases of project execution across engineering, procurement, and construction

• Collaboration with experienced professionals who value accuracy, accountability, and continuous improvement

• Ability to make a visible, meaningful impact on high-profile projectsIn

Job Type & Location

This is a Contract to Hire position based out of Lexington, KY.

Pay and Benefits

The pay range for this position is $38.50 - $66.00/hr.

Eligibility requirements apply to some benefits and may depend on your job classification and length of employment. Benefits are subject to change and may be subject to specific elections, plan, or program terms. If eligible, the benefits available for this temporary role may include the following: - Medical, dental & vision - Critical Illness, Accident, and Hospital - 401(k) Retirement Plan - Pre-tax and Roth post-tax contributions available - Life Insurance (Voluntary Life & AD&D for the employee and dependents) - Short and long-term disability - Health Spending Account (HSA) - Transportation benefits - Employee Assistance Program - Time Off/Leave (PTO, Vacation or Sick Leave)

Workplace Type

This is a hybrid position in Lexington,KY.

Application Deadline

This position is anticipated to close on May 31, 2026.

About Actalent

Actalent is a global leader in engineering and sciences services and talent solutions. We help visionary companies advance their engineering and science initiatives through access to specialized experts who drive scale, innovation and speed to market. With a network of almost 30,000 consultants and more than 4,500 clients across the U.S., Canada, Asia and Europe, Actalent serves many of the Fortune 500.

The company is an equal opportunity employer and will consider all applications without regard to race, sex, age, color, religion, national origin, veteran status, disability, sexual orientation, gender identity, genetic information or any characteristic protected by law.

If you would like to request a reasonable accommodation, such as the modification or adjustment of the job application process or interviewing process due to a disability, please email View email address on click.appcast.io for other accommodation options.

San Francisco Fair Chance Ordinance: Pursuant to the San Francisco Fair Chance Ordinance, for all positions located in the city and county of San Francisco, we will consider for employment qualified applicants with arrest and conviction records.

Massachusetts Lie Detector: It is unlawful in Massachusetts to require or administer a lie detector test as a condition of employment or continued employment. An employer who violates this law shall be subject to criminal penalties and civil liability.

Use of Artificial Intelligence (AI): We may use Artificial Intelligence (AI) to support parts of our hiring process, including sourcing, screening, and evaluating candidates. AI helps assess applications and qualifications, but final decisions are made by our hiring team. By applying, you acknowledge and agree that your application may be reviewed using AI tools.