Specialist, Project Controls

Highlights of the job

We are hiring Two Specialist, Project Controls [Full-time Permanent] positions working out of Edmonton, AB. This opportunity is open to external and internal candidates. Current EPCOR Employees, please ensure that you are using your “@epcor.com” email address. This position may be eligible for EPCOR’s Where We Work hybrid program, based on business needs and eligibility.

This role plays a critical role in ensuring projects are delivered safely, on schedule, within budget, and in alignment with EPCOR's project controls standards, governance requirements, and business objectives.

The Specialist, Project Controls serves as the subject matter expert for project controls, providing leadership and oversight for project planning, scheduling, cost management, forecasting, performance reporting, earned value management, and change control across large, complex capital projects. Working in partnership with Project Managers, Engineering, Construction, Procurement, Finance, and Contractor teams, the incumbent provides strategic project controls expertise, identifies emerging risks and opportunities, and delivers actionable insights that support informed decision-making throughout the project lifecycle.

What you’d be responsible for

The Specialist, Project Controls, reports to the Project Controls Manager with key responsibilities that include (but not limited to):

• Leading the application and continuous improvement of project controls standards, methodologies, processes, and governance practices.
• Developing and presenting project controls insights, forecasts, performance metrics, and recommendations to project leadership and key stakeholders.
• Performing project risk analysis, scenario modelling, schedule analysis, and forecasting activities to proactively identify project risks and opportunities.
• Monitoring and analyzing project performance metrics, including cost, schedule, accrual, progress, and earned value performance, and providing recommendations to support corrective actions and project success.
• Analyzing project trends, forecasts, and variances to identify emerging risks and opportunities and support informed project decision-making.
• Working with Project Management teams to ensure projects are successfully meeting established cost and schedule targets.
• Advising Project Management teams on project cost, schedule, forecasting, progress, and performance issues.
• Managing project change management processes and supporting the evaluation of schedule and cost impacts.
• Maintaining Work Breakdown Structures (WBS) and Cost Breakdown Structures (CBS), establishing control budgets, and tracking costs against approved budgets throughout the project lifecycle.
• Developing and updating project cash flow forecasts, while supporting accrual processing, month-end activities, and other financial reporting requirements.
• Developing and maintaining project resource plans, resource forecasts, and staffing requirement recommendations.
• Developing progress tracking tools and scorecards, monitoring EPC progress, establishing Earned Value Management (EVM) systems, and maintaining EVM performance throughout the project lifecycle.
• Coordinating project schedules with Design-Build contracting partners and ensuring schedules are accurate, complete, and effectively managed within Primavera P6.
• Providing mentorship, coaching, and technical guidance to project controls analysts, schedulers, and project teams.
• Leading embedded cost analysts and schedulers by promoting best practices and overseeing project controls activities and deliverables.
• Developing accurate, comprehensive, and timely project controls reports to support project decision-making.
• Reviewing and verifying contractor and employee timesheets and invoices for accuracy and coding compliance, while reviewing and approving invoices for payment.

What’s required to be successful

Qualifications

• A 2-Year Diploma in Engineering Technology, Construction Management, Business Administration, Project Management, or a related field from a recognized post-secondary institution.

Experience that includes:

• 7 years of progressively responsible project controls experience supporting large, complex capital projects, including active field construction experience and accountability for planning, scheduling, cost control, forecasting, and project performance reporting.
• Demonstrated experience serving as a project controls subject matter expert, providing guidance, recommendations, and project controls leadership to Project Managers, Engineering, Construction, and project stakeholders.
• Experience supporting projects through the full EPC, EPCM, Design-Build, or Construction project lifecycle, from project initiation and planning through commissioning and close-out.
• Experience supporting large-scale infrastructure, utility, industrial, energy, water, wastewater, or construction projects throughout the full project lifecycle.
• Wastewater treatment facility project experience is considered an asset.

Technical Skills

• Advanced knowledge of project controls principles, methodologies, governance frameworks, and industry best practices across the project lifecycle.
• Advanced expertise in project planning and scheduling, including resource-loaded schedules, critical path analysis, schedule forecasting, schedule performance measurement, and Earned Value Management (EVM).
• Strong expertise in project cost management, forecasting, cash flow analysis, accrual reporting, earned value analysis, and project financial performance reporting.
• Strong knowledge of Work Breakdown Structures (WBS), Cost Breakdown Structures (CBS), change management processes, project controls systems, and performance measurement methodologies.
• Advanced proficiency with Primavera P6, Oracle, Microsoft Excel, SharePoint, and other project controls, reporting, and scheduling tools.
• Strong analytical capabilities, with the ability to interpret complex project performance data, identify trends and risks, and provide actionable recommendations to support project decision-making.
• Working knowledge of Power BI, Aconex, and modern project analytics and reporting tools is considered an asset.

Professional & Interpersonal Skills:

• Proven ability to influence project teams and stakeholders without direct authority.
• Strong stakeholder management and relationship-building skills.
• Ability to effectively challenge assumptions, identify risks, and provide recommendations to support project success.
• Demonstrated ability to prioritize competing demands in a fast-paced project environment.
• Strong written and verbal communication skills, including the ability to communicate complex project controls information to technical and non-technical audiences.
• Self-directed, highly accountable, and capable of working independently with minimal supervision.
• Ability to lead through expertise and foster collaboration across multidisciplinary teams.
• Demonstrated sound judgment and a proactive approach to identifying, escalating, and resolving project risks and issues.
• Strong commitment to accuracy, quality, and continuous improvement in project controls processes, reporting, and performance measurement practices.

Other important facts about this job

Jurisdiction: Professional

Hours of work: 80 hours biweekly

Position Classification: This position is currently classified as out-of-scope. As part of a future jurisdictional review, the status of the position may be reassessed. While no changes are anticipated at this time, candidates should be aware that the role could be reviewed for inclusion within a bargaining unit in the future.

EPCOR Employees: Please ensure that you are using your “@epcor.com” email address.

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Please note the following information:

• A requirement of working for EPCOR is that you are at least 18 years of age, successfully attained a high school diploma (GED, or equivalent level of secondary education) and legally entitled to work in Canada in a full-time permanent role. (A copy of a valid work permit may be required.)
• If you are considered for the position, clearance on all applicable background checks (which may include criminal, identity, educational, and/or credit) and professional reference checks is required. Some EPCOR positions require an enhanced level of background assessment, which is dictated by law. These positions require advanced criminal record checks that must also be conducted from time to time after commencement of employment.
• A technical/practical assessment may be administered during the selection process and this exercise will be used as a part of the selection criterion.
• To meet the physical demands required of some positions, candidates must be in good physical condition and willing to work in all weather conditions. Clearance on pre-placement medical and drug and alcohol testing may be required.