Lead Project Cost Controller - Electric Utilities

We are looking for a Principal Project Controls Cost Analyst in the New England region to support our client, a major U.S. utility, in ensuring the accuracy, consistency, and integrity of project controls across a large capital portfolio. Working alongside project directors, managers, engineers, and financial stakeholders, you will develop and maintain project budgets, forecasts, schedules, and performance reports while supporting effective project governance and decision-making.

You will be responsible for designing, implementing, and overseeing advanced Project Controls, Program Management, and Management Information Systems (MIS) across large-scale capital programs. The successful candidate will understand the broader strategic objectives of the client's long-range capital investment plans and provide project controls leadership that supports successful execution of complex transmission, substation, and distribution infrastructure projects.

Key Responsibilities

• Develop and maintain detailed project forecasts and cash flow projections for large, multi-year transmission, substation, and distribution capital projects.
• Design, implement, and oversee Project Controls, Program Management, and Management Information Systems (MIS) to support program-wide planning, reporting, and performance management.
• Collaborate with project team members and facilitate project status meetings to ensure accurate and timely cost, schedule, and performance data collection.
• Monitor and analyze variances between forecast, budget, and actual costs; provide clear explanations and actionable recommendations.
• Prepare and deliver regular project controls reports, including earned value metrics, cost and schedule performance indicators, and executive-level dashboards.
• Support project managers and stakeholders in identifying cost trends, risks, opportunities, and corrective actions.
• Serve as a trusted advisor to project leadership by aligning project controls activities with the client's long-term capital investment objectives.
• Ensure compliance with company policies, financial controls, governance requirements, and regulatory standards.
• Serve as the Project Controls liaison during contract award and execution phases, validating that contractors implement agreed-upon Project Controls processes and escalating deviations as needed.
• Oversee and support timely processing of cost accruals and financial reporting requirements.
• Drive continuous improvement initiatives related to project controls processes, systems, reporting tools, and program governance.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree required; Master's degree preferred.
• 15+ years of experience in Project Controls, Program Controls, Cost Engineering, Finance, Accounting, Construction Management, or Project Management.
• Demonstrated experience designing and overseeing Project Controls, Program Management, and Management Information Systems for large-scale capital programs or enterprise-wide initiatives.
• Extensive experience supporting large utility, infrastructure, engineering, or construction projects with complex stakeholder environments.
• Strong understanding of forecasting, budgeting, scheduling, cost management, variance analysis, and project performance reporting.
• Experience with earned value management (EVM), project governance frameworks, and portfolio-level reporting.
• Proficient in Microsoft Office Suite, including advanced Excel skills (pivot tables, VLOOKUPs, reporting, and analysis).
• Experience with SAP and Procore preferred.
• Excellent analytical, communication, leadership, and problem-solving skills.
• Ability to understand the "big picture" objectives of large capital investment programs and translate strategic goals into effective project controls practices.