Project Controls Lead

The Project Controls Lead III is a senior, non-supervisory role supporting cost and schedule activities across a portfolio of projects. The lead serves as a primary technical resource for cost estimating, schedule development and project controls, helping teams define requirements, resolve technical issues and produce reliable, competitive deliverables. The role works closely with project leaders, project controls professionals and functional specialists to meet project objectives.

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES

Technical Leadership

• Project cost estimates, schedules and benchmarks to support accuracy, competitiveness and alignment with project objectives
• Fully understand the scope of the project, contractual requirements, identify the major milestones and set clear priorities for the project team
• Develop project cost forecasts and accurately forecast project cost and schedule
• Serve as the budget custodian, lead financial close-out of the project and participate in other project close-out activities
• Advise project teams on cost and schedule estimating requirements and help resolve technical issues during development and execution.
• Provide technical guidance, coaching and mentoring to cost and schedule professionals supporting the portfolio.
• Lead continuous improvement in cost estimating, schedule development and project controls practices.
• Promote consistent use of approved processes, methods and tools, and maintain quality of project controls deliverables.
• Support cost reconciliation, forecasting and issue resolution as required during project execution.

Portfolio and Delivery Coordination

• Work with project and business leaders to understand cost and schedule support needs across assigned projects.
• Coordinate with benchmarking and estimating specialists so project teams can use relevant performance data.
• Participate in professional networks and technical forums to share lessons learned and improve practices.
• Work across project development and execution teams on shared initiatives and strategies.
• Additional responsibilities may include portfolio-level cost and schedule updates, project performance reviews, forecast-impact assessments and communications to project leadership.

KEY WORKING RELATIONSHIPS

Collaborates with project or business leads, project controls supervisors and specialists, cost and schedule engineers, accounting, procurement and other support functions. The role may coordinate with estimating, benchmarking, market analysis and project management methods specialists.

TYPICAL SCOPE

Supports a broad range of project sizes and complexity. For larger or non-routine assignments, the lead may draw on additional enterprise-level project management and estimating expertise.

ROLE REQUIREMENTS AND WORKING STYLE

• Strong technical background in project cost estimating, scheduling and project controls.
• Ability to provide technical leadership and mentoring without direct supervisory responsibility.
• Skilled at working across disciplines, project teams and geographic locations.
• Sound judgment in estimate review, forecast analysis, benchmarking and issue resolution.
• Clear written and verbal communication, including the ability to explain assumptions and recommendations to project stakeholders