Project Controls Specialist IV (Cost Analyst)

Project Controls Specialist IV (Cost Analyst)

Client: Los Angeles Community College District (LACCD)

📍 Los Angeles, CA

Capital Construction Program

We are seeking an experienced Project Controls Specialist IV (Cost Analyst) to support large-scale capital construction projects. This role is responsible for maintaining the integrity of project budgets, forecasts, and cost controls across multiple funding sources while working closely with project, construction, and program management teams.

Key Responsibilities

• Oversee the accuracy and integrity of project budgets and forecasts in compliance with approved standard operating procedures
• Actively participate in monthly Estimate at Completion (EAC) meetings, including validation of current EACs and justification of variances
• Contribute to change management discussions by identifying emerging cost trends, risks, and exposure factors
• Participate in Risk Assessment workshops, providing insight into potential financial impacts and mitigation strategies
• Perform detailed cost variance analyses to identify trends and proactively address potential budget impacts
• Monitor cost trends and mitigation plans, comparing projected versus actual performance over time
• Review project budgets and expenditures to ensure alignment with multiple funding sources and financial goals
• Collaborate with schedulers to evaluate cost and schedule performance, including cost overruns, delays, and planned versus actual expenditures
• Review and analyze monthly cost and progress reports to ensure alignment with project financial objectives
• Analyze staffing plans to identify potential cost impacts such as excessive resource peaks and recommend optimization strategies
• Validate cost coding and budget allocations for contract change orders and amendments, assessing schedule and financial impacts
• Ensure contracts, purchase orders, task orders, change orders, and amendments are accurately budgeted, coded, and reported
• Enforce cost management policies and procedures for capital projects, particularly those with multiple funding sources
• Allocate and manage Estimate to Complete (ETC) amounts for Project Budget Adjustments (PBA), change orders, and other financial adjustments
• Track and manage ETCs to ensure timely and accurate financial reporting
• Prepare comprehensive reports related to budgeting, cost control, auditing, and asset tracking using systems such as e-Builder, Proliance, DELTEK, and other Program Management Office tools
• Work closely with Project Managers and Construction Managers to maintain data coding structures, project control tools, and high-quality financial data
• Conduct budget and financial reconciliations, address discrepancies, and implement corrective actions
• Support management with preparation of regular budget and cost reports
• Assist with regular and ad hoc budget, financial status, and forecasting reports for senior leadership
• Provide weekly and monthly cost and status reporting support
• Perform required data entry for budget and forecast updates
• Develop and maintain change management logs in accordance with established procedures
• Travel to offsite project locations as required
• Perform additional duties and special projects as assigned

Minimum Required Qualifications

• 7–10 years of recent professional experience in project controls, preferably on a capital construction program
• Bachelor’s degree in Business Administration, Engineering, Project Management, Construction Management, or a related field
• Additional qualifying experience beyond the minimum may be substituted in lieu of formal education
• Strong analytical skills with the ability to organize and interpret complex financial data
• Proficiency in financial modeling and advanced Microsoft Excel functions
• Exceptional attention to detail and accuracy
• Advanced problem-solving skills with a strategic approach to financial management
• Ability to communicate complex financial concepts clearly to non-financial stakeholders
• Proven ability to work independently and meet tight deadlines
• Strong business acumen and understanding of organizational financial objectives
• Comfortable working in a fast-paced, dynamic environment
• Proficiency with Microsoft Office applications including Word, Excel, PowerPoint, and Outlook

Preferred Qualifications

• Advanced proficiency with program management systems such as e-Builder, DELTEK, Proliance, and similar platforms
• Experience using business intelligence and analytics tools such as Power BI and/or Tableau to create dashboards and real-time cost reports
• Hands-on experience with data warehousing solutions and managing large financial and project datasets
• Strong understanding of cost control and budgeting for large-scale capital projects
• Knowledge of project management methodologies and experience collaborating with cross-functional teams to maintain cost baselines and forecasts
• Demonstrated ability to integrate multiple data sources across project and financial systems
• Experience troubleshooting system integration and data flow issues to maintain reporting accuracy