Senior Project Controls Specialist

Position Overview

Power your future with Qualus in our Program Management department as a Senior Project Controls Specialist. As the Senior Cost & Schedule Project Controls Specialist, you will support the execution of renewable energy projects through integrated cost management, construction scheduling, and performance analysis. Working closely with project managers and cross-functional teams, you will develop and maintain project budgets, forecasts, and schedules; analyze expenditures, critical paths, earned value, and variances; and deliver actionable project and portfolio reporting. You will also provide mentorship and oversight of Analysts and help improve project controls practices, systems, and reporting.

Responsibilities

Partner with project managers and engineering, procurement, finance, and construction teams to align project scope, execution plans, estimate updates, and procurement strategies with cost and schedule objectives.

Maintain project budgets, cost breakdown structures, and work package tracking; validate actuals and commitments and develop forecasts for cash flow and contingency usage in accordance with corporate standards.

Manage purchase requisitions, purchase orders, budget transfers, and commitments, maintaining consistency across project cost systems, accounting, and procurement.

Evaluate vendor and contractor proposals to support contract negotiations and service agreements; review invoices, change orders, and claims for compliance with contract terms and project budgets.

Develop and maintain baseline and current project and portfolio schedules, including activity logic, durations, milestones, constraints, and critical paths.

Lead schedule reviews and interactive planning sessions with internal teams, clients, and contractors; validate contractor and subcontractor schedules, coordinate updates, and resolve alignment issues.

Analyze earned value, progress, cost and schedule variances, risks, and tariff impacts; use scenario analysis to assess potential outcomes and recommend mitigation actions.

Deliver integrated project and portfolio reporting, including monthly cost and schedule performance reports, dashboards, key performance indicators, and ad hoc studies to support management decisions.

Standardize and improve project controls tools, processes, and reporting; pilot system enhancements and support adoption across the construction business group through training and change management.

Minimum Qualifications

Bachelor's degree in engineering, construction management, finance, accounting, or a related analytical discipline.

10+ years of experience in project cost control, project accounting, financial analysis, construction, or related project controls functions, including at least 3 years of construction project cost and schedule integration.

Knowledge of Primavera P6 scheduling tools and advanced Microsoft Office skills.

Strong analytical skills, including forecasting, variance and trend analysis, and interpretation of cost, schedule, and commercial data.

Experience reviewing invoices, change orders, commercial proposals, or contract terms for accuracy and compliance.

Experience coordinating across engineering, procurement, finance, and construction teams and supporting high-volume projects with quick turnaround requirements.

Ability to work collaboratively in interactive planning sessions and incorporate changes in real time.

Strong written, oral, and interpersonal communication skills, with the ability to explain cost and schedule information to technical and nontechnical audiences.

Strong attention to detail and problem-solving skills, with the ability to work independently and complete tasks with minimal guidance.

Professional written and verbal proficiency in French.

Ability to travel for initial training and onboarding.

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Preferred Skills

Wind energy construction or engineering, procurement, and construction (EPC) project experience; utility experience or substations.

Experience in network schedule development, resource loading, critical path analysis, integrated cost and schedule planning, and schedule performance assessment and reporting.

Experience with earned value management (EVM), Cost Performance Index (CPI) monitoring, cost breakdown structures (CBS), work breakdown structures (WBS), and cost and schedule change control.

Experience with Oracle Primavera Cloud and cost management or ERP systems such as Oracle Fusion.

Relevant certifications such as AACE (CCP, CEP, or EVP), PMI (PMP), or comparable project controls credentials.

Ability to travel up to 25%-50% (1-2 weeks per month) to office (Chicago & Montreal) or occasionally visit active construction sites (Quebec).

Benefits & Compensation

Qualus offers a competitive benefits package for eligible employees, which may include Medical, Dental, Vision, Life Insurance, Short- and Long-Term Disability coverage, Retirement Savings Plans (including employer matching where applicable), Flexible Spending and/or Health Spending Accounts, Employee Assistance Programs (EAP), Parental Leave, Paid Time Off, and Company Holidays. Benefits offerings may vary based on position, work location, and eligibility requirements. The compensation range for this position is provided in accordance with applicable laws and market practices. The final base salary offered may vary based on factors including, but not limited to, education, qualifications, certifications, experience, skills, seniority, geographic location, internal equity, performance, and business needs. Compensation ranges are subject to change at the Company's discretion and as permitted by applicable law.

Company Overview

Qualus is a leading pure-play power solutions firm and innovator at the forefront of power infrastructure transformation, with differentiated capabilities across grid modernization, resiliency, security, and sustainability. The firm partners with utilities, commercial, industrial, data center, and government clients, and renewable and energy storage developers, offering comprehensive solutions through boutique and integrated advisory, planning, engineering, digital solutions, program management, energy efficiency and specialized field services. Qualus also provides software and technology enabled services and develops breakthrough solutions for critical power industry challenges such as distributed and variable resource integration, emergency management, and secure data exchange. The firm has over 2,000 professionals, with offices throughout the U.S. and Canada.

Equal Opportunity Employer

We are an equal opportunity employer and value diversity. We are committed to providing an inclusive workplace and do not discriminate on any grounds protected by applicable human rights legislation across Canada and the US.

We are committed to a secure and transparent hiring process. We do not request payment or sensitive personal information, such as Social Security numbers or banking details, during the application process. Please use caution and verify opportunities through our official channels.