Cost Control Director

Overview

The Opportunity

Walbridge has an outstanding opportunity for an experienced Cost Control Director to join the Walbridge team. This role is ideal for a proactive, detail driven leader who thrives in a fast-paced environment and can balance operational excellence with people leadership. In this high-impact leadership role, you will oversee enterprise-level cost governance, guide a diverse team of cost professionals, and deliver accurate, timely, and actionable cost intelligence to executive leadership and project teams. You will ensure consistency with corporate standards, company values, and client expectations while driving continuous improvement across our cost control program.

Location

You will work at our enterprise headquarters in Detroit, MI.

Responsibilities

Your Key Responsibilities

Leadership & Team Management

• Lead, mentor, and develop a team of Cost Control Managers, Senior Analysts, Analysts, and Coordinators.
• Establish clear goals, accountability measures, and performance expectations.
• Drive continuous improvement in cost processes, reporting accuracy, and team capability.
• Partner with People & Talent to support recruiting, onboarding, training, and career progression across the Cost Control organization.

Project Oversight & Financial Governance

• Oversee cost control on select major projects, including budgeting, forecasting, variance analysis, and cash flow modeling.
• Ensure compliance with Walbridge standards for cost reporting, contract alignment, change management, and earned value methodologies.
• Review and validate project cost reports, GMP structures, contingency logs, and fee calculations.
• Monitor project performance trends and provide early warning on budget risks, cost exposures, or schedule-driven impacts.

Invoicing, Billing & Revenue Management

• Ensure accurate preparation and review of owner AIA invoices, subcontractor pay applications, billing summaries, and related financial documentation.
• Oversee revenue recognition in alignment with contract terms, project progress, and accounting standards.
• Partner closely with Accounting and Finance to ensure consistency across ledgers, month-end close activities, and audit requests.

Executive Collaboration

• Provide high-quality cost insights and recommendations to the VP-Cost Control, CFO organization, and project executives.
• Support enterprise initiatives such as margin improvement, project controls modernization, and digital reporting enhancements.
• Serve as a strategic advisor on cost structure, benchmarking, financial performance, and operational efficiency.

Process, Tools & Compliance

• Champion standardization in cost control processes, templates, and workflows.
• Partner with IT and Project Controls to optimize CMiC, dashboards, reporting tools, and automation opportunities.
• Uphold Walbridge's values regarding safety, ethical conduct, accuracy, and collaboration.

Qualifications

To qualify for the role, you must have

• Bachelor's degree in construction management, Engineering, Accounting, Finance, or related field required.
• 10+ years of experience in construction cost control, project controls, or financial management.
• 5+ years of leadership experience managing teams of cost professionals.
• Strong understanding of cost structures on large industrial or commercial construction projects.
• Commitment to accuracy, transparency, and continuous improvement.
• Excellent communication, analytical, and executive-level presentation skills.

Ideally, you'll also have

• Proficiency with CMiC or comparable project cost systems.
• Ability to build trust with project teams, executives, finance, and clients.
• Strong process ownership mindset.
• Ability to influence across functions and solve complex financial challenges.
• High emotional intelligence with a collaborative leadership style.