Principal Project Controls Specialist

Job Overview

Key Tasks and Responsibilities

• Provide expert-level project controls support across all phases of Engineering, Procurement, Construction, and Commissioning (EPC) projects, ensuring alignment with contractual, financial, and execution objectives.
• Demonstrate a deep understanding of complex contract structures, compensation models, and scope definitions to ensure accurate implementation of project controls systems and effective change management processes.
• Lead the development and implementation of Work Breakdown Structures (WBS) for large-scale, joint venture (JV) projects with multiple stakeholders and compensation types, ensuring traceability and integration across cost, schedule, and scope.
• Oversee the preparation, validation, and continuous refinement of project forecasts, ensuring alignment with evolving project conditions, risk profiles, and stakeholder expectations.
• Apply advanced project management methodologies such as Earned Value Management (EVM), critical path analysis, risk modeling, and progress measurement to drive performance transparency and proactive decision-making.
• Serve as a subject matter expert and mentor to project controls personnel across regions, delivering functional training and coaching to elevate capabilities in cost control, scheduling, and reporting.
• Lead the development and delivery of high-quality weekly, monthly, and quarterly project reports, ensuring accuracy, consistency, and strategic insight for internal and external stakeholders.
• Collaborate with Project Leadership, Finance, Engineering, and Construction Teams to ensure integrated planning and execution, with a focus on cost efficiency, schedule adherence, and risk mitigation.
• Provide strategic input into project controls system enhancements, data governance, and digital transformation initiatives to improve accuracy, automation, and scalability of reporting and forecasting.
• Ensure compliance with internal controls, client requirements, and international QHSES (Quality, Health, Safety, Environment, and Security) standards across all project controls activities.
• Operate independently across multiple workstreams, managing competing priorities and delivering results with minimal supervision in high-pressure, fast-paced environments.
• Represent the project controls function in executive reviews, audits, and client meetings, providing authoritative insight into project performance and financial health.

Essential Qualifications and Education

• Bachelor’s Degree in Business, Engineering, Construction Management, Project Management or a related field.
• Project Management Professional (PMP) certification or equivalent is highly desirable.
• Minimum of ten (10) years of experience in project controls within project-based organizations, preferably in the oil and gas, energy, or heavy industrial sectors.
• Proven experience supporting large-scale, complex EPC projects.
• Deep expertise in cost control, progress measurement, and scheduling, with a strong emphasis on cost forecasting and variance analysis.
• Proficient in applying advanced project management concepts such as Earned Value Management (EVM), risk analysis, and integrated planning.
• Strong command of project controls tools and office productivity software, with the ability to lead data-driven reporting and forecasting initiatives.
• Familiarity with international and local QHSES regulations and standards, with a commitment to compliance and operational excellence.
• Fluent in English with excellent communication, leadership, and presentation skills, with the ability to engage and influence stakeholders at all levels.
• Demonstrated ability to lead cross-functional teams, manage complex interfaces, and drive performance in a global, multicultural environment.
• Highly self-directed, with the ability to manage multiple priorities and deliver high-quality results under tight deadlines.