Project Controls Specialist I

Job Description

Position Overview

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We are seeking a motivated Project Controls Specialist I to support project teams through cost management, reporting, forecasting, and project controls activities. This is an excellent opportunity for a recent college graduate or early-career professional looking to build a long-term career in project controls, project management, or project services.

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The successful candidate will assist with project budgeting, cost tracking, forecasting, change management, reporting, and data analysis while working closely with project managers, contractors, procurement teams, finance, and other stakeholders. This role offers significant learning opportunities.

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The ideal candidate is analytical, detail-oriented, comfortable working with data, and able to take initiative to solve problems independently while maintaining strong communication with project stakeholders.

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Key Responsibilities

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• Support project controls activities for multiple projects throughout the project lifecycle.

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• Maintain and track project budgets, commitments, expenditures, and forecasts.

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• Perform monthly cost forecasting and variance analysis.

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• Generate and analyze reports using SAP, Excel, and Power BI.

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• Assist with project cost reporting and performance monitoring.

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• Support change management processes, including tracking project changes and cost impacts.

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• Review and validate project financial data for accuracy and completeness.

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• Collaborate with project managers, contractors, procurement teams, finance teams, and other stakeholders.

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• Assist with purchase order tracking, invoice review, and cost reconciliation activities.

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• Identify data discrepancies and proactively investigate issues.

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• Prepare presentations, dashboards, and project status reports for management review.

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• Support continuous improvement efforts related to project controls processes and reporting.

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• Participate in occasional visits to contractor offices within the Houston area as needed.

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Required Qualifications

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• Bachelor's degree in: Business, Construction Management, Engineering, Finance, Supply Chain, Project Management, Economics, or a related field

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• 1-3 years of professional experience.

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• Strong Microsoft Excel skills, including Pivot Tables, VLOOKUP/XLOOKUP, Data analysis, Reporting

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• Strong analytical and problem-solving abilities.

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• Excellent written and verbal communication skills.

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• Ability to manage multiple priorities in a fast-paced environment.

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• Highly organized with strong attention to detail.

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• Ability to work independently and take initiative when solving problems.

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Preferred Qualifications

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• Internship or professional experience supporting projects, project controls, procurement, supply chain, logistics, construction, infrastructure, energy, manufacturing, or related industries.

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• Experience using SAP.

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• Familiarity with Power BI or other reporting/dashboard tools.

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• Exposure to budgeting, forecasting, cost tracking, or financial analysis.

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• Experience working in project-based environments.

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• Understanding of procurement, contracts, or project financial processes.

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Desired Candidate Profile

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The ideal candidate is an early-career professional who demonstrates:

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• A proactive approach to problem-solving.

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• Strong ownership and accountability.

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• The ability to work through challenges independently before escalating issues.

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• Confidence communicating with various stakeholders and project teams.

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• A desire to learn and develop within project controls and project management.

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• Consistency and stability in employment history, with demonstrated commitment and tenure in previous roles where applicable.

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Career Growth Opportunity

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This position offers direct exposure to project controls, project execution, cost management, forecasting, procurement coordination, and stakeholder management. The successful candidate will receive hands-on experience supporting active projects and will have the opportunity to develop into more advanced project controls and project management roles over time.