Project Controls Specialist

The Project Controls Specialist provides direct support to Project Management by leading and coordinating project controls activities to achieve business and project objectives. This role ensures the effective application of systems and methodologies for cost control, schedule development and maintenance, progress measurement, change and trend management, and reporting. The Project Controls Specialist monitors EPC Contractor execution performance across cost, schedule, and progress, and provides proactive guidance and recommendations to ensure Company objectives are met.

Responsibilities Reports to the Project Services Manager and responsibilities will include:

• Develop, maintain, and administer integrated project cost and schedule control systems for assigned project(s), portfolio, or program.
  
  
• Lead the development and implementation of project-specific Project Controls Plans aligned with Company standards and project execution strategies.
  
  
• Coordinate the collection, validation, and analysis of cost, schedule, and progress data to assess overall project status and identify risks, opportunities, and emerging trends.
  
  
• Facilitate the development and application of project Work Breakdown Structures (WBS) and Cost Breakdown Structures (CBS) in alignment with project scope and controls requirements.
  
  
• Manage cost engineering activities including invoice verification, monthly cost reporting, trending, accruals, forecast-at-completion (FAC) analysis, Value of Work Done (VOWD), accruals, variance analysis, funding budgets, and spend plans.
  
  
• Manage planning and scheduling activities including development, baseline establishment, maintenance of integrated project and/or program schedules, progress measurement systems, progress curves, rebaselining, and schedule mitigation strategies.
  
  
• Interface and coordinate with EPC contractors and third-party service providers to integrate contractor cost, schedule, and progress data into the overall project controls framework.
  
  
• Review and analyze contractor-submitted project controls data, providing early warning through variance analysis, trend identification, and performance assessment.
  
  
• Prepare and deliver accurate and timely project performance reports covering engineering, procurement, and construction activities for project and senior management.
  
  
• Support Project Management in the development, evaluation, and implementation of cost and schedule corrective actions and recovery plans.
  
  
• Support cost estimating and forecasting activities, including periodic re-estimates and the development of cost benchmarks and performance metrics.
  
  
• Evaluate technical change orders for cost and schedule impacts, coordinate discipline reviews, and incorporate approved changes into project budgets, forecasts, and schedules.
  
  
• Assist in the development and maintenance of procedures, work processes, and tools for project controls activities, including budgeting, forecasting, planning, scheduling, and performance reporting.
  
  
• Support internal audits of project controls systems and commercial controls to ensure compliance with Company standards and governance requirements.
  
  
• Contribute to risk identification, mitigation, and contingency planning processes.
  
  
• Provide high-quality data and deliverables in support of benchmarking, analytics, and continuous improvement initiatives.
  
  
• Perform quality assurance of contractor project controls performance, focusing on cost control, progress measurement, and schedule execution.
  
  
• Respond to ad hoc requests from the Project Management Team related to cost, schedule, and performance reporting and analysis.
  
  

Basic / Required Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Engineering, Construction Management, Business, Finance, or a related discipline, or equivalent relevant experience.
  
  
• Minimum of 8 years of progressively responsible project controls experience supporting large capital projects or multiple small projects, preferably within refinery, petrochemical, or heavy industrial environments.
  
  
• Demonstrated technical expertise in project cost control, planning and scheduling, and physical progress measurement.
  
  
• Proficiency with industry-standard project controls systems and software for cost management, planning and scheduling, and earned value management.
  
  
• Strong analytical skills with the ability to interpret complex cost and schedule data and translate findings into clear, actionable insights for project and senior leadership.
  
  

Preferred Skills

• Proven leadership skills, including the ability to influence project teams, contractors, and stakeholders without direct authority.
  
  
• Strong communication skills with the ability to prepare clear, concise reports and deliver effective presentations to project and senior management.
  
  
• Experience supporting large capital projects through engineering, procurement, and construction phases.
  
  

With over 90 years' combined experience, NES Fircroft (NES) is proud to be the world's leading engineering staffing provider spanning the Oil & Gas, Power & Renewables, Chemicals, Construction & Infrastructure, Life Sciences, Mining and Manufacturing sectors worldwide. With more than 80 offices in 45 countries, we are able to provide our clients with the engineering and technical expertise they need, wherever and whenever it is needed. We offer contractors far more than a traditional recruitment service, supporting with everything from securing visas and work permits, to providing market-leading benefits packages and accommodation, ensuring they are safely and compliantly able to support our clients.