Principal Project Controls Specialist – Cost

About the role

Principal Project Controls Specialist – Cost Location: Charlotte, NC / Multiple Project Sites Across the Carolinas and Florida Employment Type: Contract (Approximately 24 Months) Work Arrangement: Hybrid with Regular Site Travel Position Overview We are seeking a Principal Project Controls Specialist – Cost to support a portfolio of energy storage and solar construction projects. This senior-level role is responsible for cost reporting, forecasting, variance analysis, risk management, and overall project controls support across multiple large-scale capital projects. The ideal candidate will have extensive project controls experience, advanced cost management expertise, and the ability to independently analyze complex project data while supporting project leadership, contractors, and vendors. Key Responsibilities Cost Management & Project Controls Review and analyze project cost estimates, including estimate basis and assumptions Develop and maintain project forecasts, budgets, and cost performance reporting Perform variance analysis, trending, burn rate analysis, and estimate-at-completion forecasting Align project costs with schedules and overall project performance Support change control and evaluate potential project cost impacts Review contractor and vendor cost performance and project status Support cost management across multiple projects within a larger capital portfolio Risk, Forecasting & Analysis Perform project risk quantification, analysis, and management Identify cost trends, risks, and opportunities that may impact project forecasts Support quantitative risk analysis and Monte Carlo modeling Maintain accurate project cost and risk information within project controls systems Analyze large datasets and translate findings into actionable project information Reporting & Leadership Develop project controls reports, analytics, and management-level presentations Communicate project cost performance, forecasts, trends, and risks to project leadership Lead complex project controls assignments with minimal supervision Provide guidance and coaching to Cost Analysts and other project controls professionals Collaborate with project teams, contractors, vendors, and stakeholders across multiple project sites Required Qualifications Bachelor's degree in Business, Finance, Engineering, Project Management, or related technical discipline Minimum 9 years of project controls experience 11+ years of relevant experience may be considered in lieu of a degree Advanced knowledge of cost management, forecasting, budgeting, variance analysis, and project controls methodologies Experience supporting multi-million-dollar or high-risk capital projects Advanced to expert-level Microsoft Excel capabilities Experience working within a PMO, project controls, or project management environment Ability to lead complex assignments and work independently Exceptional analytical, communication, and problem-solving skills Ability to travel regularly to project sites Preferred Qualifications Experience supporting solar, battery energy storage, utility, power generation, or other large capital construction projects Master's degree in Business, Finance, Project Management, or related discipline PMP, CAPM, PMI-SP, AACE-CCC, AACE-PSP, AACE-CEP, AACE-EVP, or similar certification Experience evaluating contractor and vendor change orders Experience with EcoSys, MS Project, Business Objects, Prolog, Passport, Powerplant, Maximo, EAM, PeopleSoft, or similar systems Experience with RiskConnect, Monte Carlo, quantitative risk analysis, or related risk management tools Candidate Must-Haves 9+ years of project controls experience Advanced cost management, forecasting, and variance analysis experience Expert-level Microsoft Excel skills Experience supporting complex, multi-million-dollar capital projects Strong understanding of project risk, change control, cost controls, and schedule-cost integration Ability to independently lead complex project controls assignments Ability to travel to multiple project sites as required