Project Control Manager

Position Overview:

The Project Controls Manager leads the planning, implementation, project health, and reporting for the Office of the County Engineer’s (OCE) capital and operational projects. This position leads all aspects of project oversight, managing budgets, schedules, and performance data to ensure timely, cost-effective, and high-quality project delivery in alignment with County policies and standards. The Project Controls Manager drives the integrity of the Office of the County Engineer’s portfolio management system by delivering accurate data, insightful analysis, and strategic support to project teams and leadership.

Job Duties

• Develops comprehensive project plans, including timelines, milestones, deliverables, and performance benchmarks.
• Establishes and maintains standardized project control processes for cost, schedule, and risk management across the portfolio.
• Monitors and analyzes project performance metrics to ensure alignment with approved scope, schedule, and budget baselines.
• Proactively identifies variances, prepares forecasts, and recommends corrective or preventive actions.
• Coordinates with project managers, engineers, consultants, and contractors to ensure consistency in data collection, reporting, and documentation across all programs.
• Monitors and forecasts project cash flow, expenditures, and resource utilization to support financial planning.
• Prepares variance analyses, trend reports, and supports budget reallocation recommendations based on portfolio performance.
• Partners with the Performance Management team to integrate project control data into enterprise dashboards, providing leadership with portfolio-level insights.
• Assists in developing and maintaining governance frameworks, policies, and standard operating procedures for project management and reporting.
• Provides guidance and technical support to project teams regarding project control methodologies, best practices, and compliance with PMO standards.
• Participates in internal and external audits or reviews to ensure adherence to financial controls, procurement policies, and reporting standards.
• Performs other related duties as assigned to support organizational goals and ensure successful project delivery.

Requirement

Education:

• Bachelor’s degree in business administration, Public Administration, Engineering, Project Management, or related field required.

Experience

• Five (5) years of progressively responsible experience in project management, portfolio management, or performance management.
• Minimum two (2) years of experience in a supervisory role.
• Experience developing and managing enterprise performance frameworks and metrics.
• Strong background in strategic planning, data analytics, and organizational change management.

Knowledge, Skills & Abilities (KSAs):

• Expert-level knowledge of project management methodologies, tools, and best practices.
• Strong understanding of organizational performance frameworks, KPI development, and outcome measurement.
• Exceptional analytical, problem-solving, and strategic decision-making skills.
• Excellent communication, reporting, and stakeholder engagement abilities across all organizational levels.
• Skilled at developing high-performing teams and fostering collaboration across divisions and departments.
• Demonstrated ability to manage multiple, complex priorities in a fast-paced, deadline-driven environment while maintaining attention to detail.
• Advanced knowledge of scheduling, cost control, and risk management principles and applications.
• Proficient with scheduling and cost analysis software and spreadsheet-based analytics tools.
• Commitment to transparency, accountability, and effective governance in project delivery and performance management.

Preferences

Education:

• Master’s degree in business administration, Public Administration, Engineering, Project Management, or related field required.

Experience:

• Eight (8) years of progressively responsible experience in project management, portfolio management, or performance management, with at least 5 years in a senior leadership role.
• Certification in performance management, Lean Six Sigma, or process improvement is highly desirable.

General Information:

Position Type, and Typical Hours of Work:

Full-Time | Regular | 40 hours per week.

Subject to early mornings, late evenings, weekends, and holidays at times, depending upon the project or workload.

Salary: Commensurate with experience, based on 26 pay periods.

Physical Demands and Environmental Exposure:

• Most assignments will be performed in an office, meeting, or operations command center environment, but some field work may be required. May be required to work extended work hours during activation of disaster recovery operations for an unspecified length of time (varies based on the extent of the event).
• This position requires bending, stooping, and lifting to 25 lbs., frequent walking, standing, sitting, reaching, and ascending/descending stairs.
• The physical demands described here are representative of those that an employee must meet to perform the essential functions of this job successfully.
• Reasonable accommodation may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

FEATURED BENEFITS:

• Medical, vision, and dental insurance.
• Wellness.
• Professional development opportunities.
• Flexible spending account.
• 457 deferred compensation plans.
• Retirement pension (TCDRS).
• Transportation assistance (Metro Ride Sponsor Program).
• Disability and life insurance.
• Harris County is a Qualified Employer for the Public Service Loan Forgiveness Program (PSLF).