Cost Controller, Project Controls

Position Title:

COST CONTROLLER

Location:

HOUSTON, TXFLSA Class: EXEMPTResponsible to:
Senior Project Controls Manager

Position Summary:

The Cost Controller is a key member of the Project Controls team responsible for full lifecycle project cost management across power infrastructure projects. This role supports budget development, commitment tracking, forecasting, variance analysis, change control, and project closeout while providing timely, accurate cost intelligence to project leadership, Finance, and executive stakeholders.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities:

Establish and maintain the project cost baseline, budget breakdown, and control estimate

Monitor committed costs, actual expenditure, and forecast-to-complete across all project phases:
Engineering, Procurement, Construction, and Commissioning (EPCC)
Maintain cost accounts aligned to the Work Breakdown Structure (WBS) and Cost Breakdown Structure (CBS)
Identify, investigate, and report cost variances; recommend and track corrective actions

Review and validate contractor progress claims, milestone payment certificates, and change orders

Support Requests for Information (RFIs), Field Change Notices (FCNs), and Engineering Change Orders (ECOs) for cost impact

Prepare weekly and monthly Cost Reports including actuals, commitments, forecasts, and variance analysis

Develop and maintain the Estimate-at-Completion (EAC) and Estimate-to-Complete (ETC) forecasts

Produce Earned Value Management (EVM) reports

Generate monthly cash flow forecasts and funding drawdown schedules for finance teams

Present cost performance dashboards to the Projects Director and executive leadership

Administer the project budget through formal change management procedures in compliance with governance frameworks

Assess cost impact of scope changes, design modifications, and schedule delays — including delay damages and liquidated damages (LDs)
Maintain the Change Order Log register

Support the preparation of estimates and Independent Cost Reviews (ICRs)
Review EPC, EPCM, and major equipment supply contracts for cost control obligations and reporting requirements

Monitor purchase order commitments, goods receipts, and invoice processing in the procurement system

Review and validate Vendor Invoices and rate schedules

Coordinate with the Contracts team on back-charges, claims, and dispute resolution cost implications

Interface with the Planning team to integrate cost and schedule data for integrated project reporting

Perform Time Impact Analysis (TIA) and quantify schedule delay cost consequences

Maintain cost curves aligned to the Project Master Schedule (PMS)
Support critical path analysis with cost risk modeling and scenario planning

Participate in Quantitative Cost Risk Analysis (QCRA)
Maintain and update the Project Risk Register for cost-related risks and opportunities

Monitor contingency drawdown against risk events and update the risk-adjusted forecast

Maintain project cost data in ERP and project management systems

Ensure compliance with company financial policies, CAPEX authorization frameworks, and Project Controls Procedures Support internal audits, due diligence, and regulatory cost reviews with full documentation

Maintain cost files, registers, and audit trails for project close-out and handover

Liaise with the Finance team on accruals, CWIP (Capital Work in Progress), and asset capitalization

Other Requirements:

Bachelor's degree in Construction Management, Engineering, Finance, Business, or a related field; equivalent relevant experience may be considered.
5-10 years of cost control, project controls, or capital cost management experience.

Minimum of 3 years of experience supporting power, energy, utility, industrial, or infrastructure projects.

Demonstrated experience on large…