Project Controls Specialist

A client of Innova Solutions is immediately hiring for a Project Controls Specialist

Position type:
Full-time, Contract

Duration: 18 months

Location:

Gary Indiana 46402

As a Project Controls Specialist I, you'll be an essential partner to Project Managers, helping ensure projects stay financially healthy, cost-efficient, and strategically aligned. This developmental role offers an excellent opportunity to build expertise in project accounting, cost controls, forecasting, change management, and emerging AI-driven project solutions within a dynamic industrial environment.

Become the financial pulse of assigned capital projects by monitoring budgets, tracking expenditures, and ensuring spending aligns with approved plans.

• Maintain project budgets, cost reports, control accounts, and financial tracking systems.
• Analyze project spending against approved budgets and identify cost variances.
• Develop regular cost performance reports and provide actionable insights to project leadership.
• Proactively identify financial trends, budget risks, and opportunities for improved cost efficiency.

Help maintain financial accuracy throughout the project lifecycle.

• Track purchase orders, contracts, commitments, and Authorizations for Expenditure (AFEs).
• Reconcile vendor invoices against contractual commitments and project budgets.
• Partner with Procurement and Finance teams to resolve discrepancies efficiently.
• Support project closeout activities, including final cost reconciliation and documentation.

Support strategic financial planning by helping project teams anticipate future spending requirements.

• Develop and update monthly cash flow forecasts based on project schedules and vendor commitments.
• Monitor changes in project execution that may impact forecasted expenditures.
• Contribute to portfolio-level forecasting and reporting to support informed business decisions.

Play a key role in managing project changes and protecting budget integrity.

• Track pending and approved change orders across active projects.
• Maintain comprehensive change logs and ensure budget updates are accurately reflected.
• Assist with cost impact assessments, budget transfers, quantity evaluations, and supporting documentation.
• Ensure all change management records remain organized, compliant, and audit-ready.

Transform data into meaningful project intelligence.

• Develop project dashboards, financial summaries, and performance reports using advanced Excel and reporting tools.
• Maintain organized project records with strong version control practices.
• Support project stage-gate reviews by preparing financial and commitment reporting packages.

Be part of the future of project controls.

• Support implementation and adoption of AI-powered tools that enhance reporting, cost analysis, forecasting, and data quality.
• Participate in process improvement initiatives and digital transformation efforts within the Project Controls organization.
• Help identify opportunities where automation can improve efficiency and reporting accuracy.

• Associate degree or higher in Engineering Technology, Accounting, Finance, Business, or a related discipline, or equivalent professional experience.
• Approximately 2-5 years of experience in Project Controls, Project Accounting, Cost Control, Financial Analysis, or Capital Project Administration.
• Strong understanding of project budgeting, forecasting, cost reporting, and financial controls.
• Experience supporting capital projects within industrial, manufacturing, engineering, energy, or related environments.

• Advanced proficiency in Microsoft Excel, including:
  • Pivot Tables
  • Cost Tracking Models
  • Financial Reporting Dashboards
  • Data Analysis and Reconciliation
• Strong PowerPoint presentation and reporting skills.
• Working knowledge of project accounting principles and financial controls.
• Experience with Oracle ERP, Oracle Database, SAP similar enterprise/project controls systems is highly valued.

• Experience supporting Project Managers through project budget management and cost tracking activities.
• Familiarity with project lifecycle processes, including AFEs, purchase orders, stage-gate reviews, commitment tracking, and change management.
• Understanding of industrial capital project environments.