Project Controls Manager

Overview

This role leads and manages the project controls team supporting utility-scale solar, battery energy storage system (BESS), substation, and high-voltage construction projects. Responsibilities include ensuring high-quality, consistent, and timely project cost reporting and analysis, including forecasting, earned value, production tracking, change management, risk/opportunity reporting, and Project Performance Reports (PPRs).

The Project Controls Manager supervises Project Controls Engineers, Project Controls Specialists, and Project Controls Administrators. The role partners closely with Project Managers, Accounting, Finance, Procurement, Preconstruction, and Executive Leadership to ensure project information is accurate, current, and actionable. When issues cannot be resolved at the project level, this position serves as the primary escalation point and supports development of corrective actions and recovery plans.

Responsibilities

• Lead project controls activities from project startup through closeout, ensuring standardized processes, reporting, and controls are followed.
• Supervise, coach, mentor, and develop Project Controls Engineers and other assigned project controls personnel.
• Provide technical oversight to Project Controls Specialists and Administrators.
• Oversee project cost, forecast, schedule, productivity, earned value, and performance reporting, including weekly/monthly PPRs, executive dashboards, and portfolio-level reporting.
• Review project forecasts and challenge assumptions using actual costs, commitments, production, labor productivity, schedule status, procurement activity, change orders, risk factors, and other performance indicators.
• Ensure budgets, commitments, purchase orders, subcontracts, invoices, accruals, actual costs, forecasts, and cost classifications are accurate and aligned across NetSuite and other company systems.
• Identify and escalate unfavorable trends related to cost, schedule, productivity, cash flow, margin, and execution; provide leadership with analysis, corrective actions, recovery plans, and what-if scenarios.
• Facilitate project cost, forecast, and performance reviews with Project Management, Construction, Accounting, Finance, Procurement, and other stakeholders to align cost, schedule, production, and forecast data.
• Oversee risk and opportunity management, change management, procurement/buyout tracking, and financial exposure; ensure approved changes and identified risks are accurately reflected in budgets, forecasts, schedules, and reporting.
• Coordinate with Accounting and Finance to reconcile project controls data with NetSuite and resolve discrepancies related to commitments, actual costs, accruals, invoices, receiving, billing, and cost classifications.
• Develop, maintain, and improve project controls procedures, reporting tools, dashboards, templates, calendars, checklists, and standard work practices, including supporting system integrations, automation, testing, and data-quality initiatives.
• Conduct periodic reviews of project controls processes and documentation to ensure accuracy, consistency, compliance, audit readiness, and alignment with company standards.
• Support project kickoff, turnover, client billing, recovery planning, lessons learned, and closeout activities while maintaining accurate documentation and confidentiality of company, project, employee, vendor, and client information.
• Comply with company policies and perform other duties as assigned or deemed appropriate.

Supervisory Responsibilities

• Directly supervises, coaches, develops, and evaluates Project Controls Engineers and other assigned project controls personnel.
• Provides overall leadership and workload coordination for Project Controls personnel.
• Assigns project controls resources based on workload, project complexity, schedule, and business priorities.
• Supports recruiting, interviewing, onboarding, training, performance management, and succession planning for the Project Controls group.
• Establishes clear performance expectations, reporting deadlines, work standards, and accountability within the department.
• Ensures accuracy of all Project Controls deliverables and deadlines.

Requirements

• Advanced knowledge of construction project controls, including job cost reporting, forecasting, cost-to-complete/EAC analysis, earned value, productivity, scheduling, risk, change management, commitments, and accruals.
• Advanced proficiency in Microsoft Excel and experience with ERP, construction management, scheduling, reporting, and business intelligence systems such as NetSuite, Procore, UKG, Power BI, SharePoint, Primavera P6, Microsoft Project, or similar platforms.
• Strong analytical and problem-solving skills to evaluate complex financial and operational data, identify trends and discrepancies, challenge forecasts, and recommend corrective actions.
• Proven leadership and team-development skills, including the ability to coach, delegate, manage performance, and oversee multiple projects and competing priorities in a fast-paced construction environment.
• Excellent communication, organization, and collaboration skills, with the ability to present complex project information to project teams, senior leadership, and executive stakeholders.
• Ability to develop standardized processes, improve reporting efficiency, maintain data accuracy and documentation, exercise sound judgment, and maintain confidentiality of sensitive financial, commercial, payroll, vendor, and employee information.
• Strong attention to detail, accountability, and follow-through to establish and maintain consistent project controls standards across multiple projects.

Education/Experience

• Bachelor’s degree in Engineering, Construction Management, Finance, Accounting, Business Administration, or related field preferred.
• 5+ years of progressive project controls or related construction experience.
• 2+ years leading or supervising project controls personnel required.
• Large EPC/self-perform construction experience required.
• Renewable energy, utility-scale solar, BESS, substations, transmission, or high-voltage experience preferred.
• Relevant professional certifications preferred.

Physical Requirements

• Primarily sedentary office work with occasional lifting, carrying, walking, and standing.
• Ability to safely navigate active construction sites, including uneven terrain, stairs, and ladders while wearing required PPE.
• Valid driver’s license required.

Travel

• Approximately 15–30% travel to project sites and company offices, as required by project assignments and business needs.

Compensation & Benefits

• Medical insurance
• 401(k) with employer match
• Life and AD&D insurance
• Dental insurance
• Vision insurance
• Employee Assistance Program
• Paid Time Off
• Weekly cell phone allowance
• Eligible for bonus program

Location

• Travel required: approximately 15–30% to project sites and company offices (as required by project assignments and business needs).

Equal Employment Opportunity

• The employer provides equal employment opportunities to all employees and applicants for employment and prohibits discrimination and harassment of any type without regard to race, color, religion, age, sex, national origin, disability status, genetics, protected veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, or any other characteristic protected by federal, state or local laws.