Lead Project Controls Specialist - Cost - 90404491 - New York/Philadelphia Job a

Lead Project Controls Specialist - Cost

This person in this role will manage and execute cost engineering and control activities for capital construction within Amtrak's Major Power Portfolio. Under general direction from the Project Controls Manager and the Project Manager, the Lead Project Controls Specialist Cost analyzes cost performance, develops estimates, creates and manages budgets, and liaises frequently with Amtrak's Capital Finance Team. This position supports attainment of department or project-specific goals and outcomes through the delivery of project control services, ensuring close alignment between project control staff and project management team(s).

Essential Functions

• Serve as Lead Cost Control Specialist, responsible for analyzing, developing, maintaining, controlling and reporting project design and construction cost, forecasts and expenditures. These forecasts include analyses of project cash flow, commitment plans, and funding in accordance with grant and funding contribution agreements.
• Assure compliance with department and enterprise practices on project budgeting, forecasting, scheduling, change management, cost controlling, and related project-specific requirements. Support maintenance of department policies and procedures on project cost control, cost control tools and techniques, work breakdown structures, risk management, contingency determination, management and utilization, and earned value management. Incorporate current best practices used in the construction and transportation industries.
• Perform monthly analysis and report cost performance. Develop "bottom-up" forecasts to evaluate performance against Total Life of Project Cost and Schedule. Provide detailed analysis to project team to improve project performance and forecasting as well as to Capital Finance team to support corporate reporting and grants management.
• Collect project performance data such as installed quantities, expended labor and other progress measurement from enterprise tools (e.g., Maximo) and/or project management staff to assess project/portfolio cost performance.
• Maintain reporting mechanisms, dashboards, and presentations about project performance indicators and feed this data to ensure a cohesive picture of project's contribution to the project and/or portfolio.
• Assist in the development of annual operating plan that includes working closely with project managers to estimate costs for upcoming fiscal year as well as out years. Work with Capital Finance to refine plan as necessary. Oversee administration of department budget, including managing off-cycle reprogramming requests for new or adjusted funding on projects and preparation and approval of purchase requisitions.
• Perform investigations such as market analysis, visits to the field, and interviews of delivery staff (e.g., engineers, superintendents, construction managers), to understand construction means and methods in order to develop cost estimates.
• Participate in risk evaluation sessions or preconstruction reviews and ensure risks are documented and assessed in terms of probability and impact to enable project team to develop risk mitigation plans and contingencies (schedule & cost).

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities

• Knowledge of principles and practices of construction project management through all phases of the construction project lifecycle
• Understanding of project financial reporting, forecasting, analysis and monitoring capital project / program / portfolio funding and/or budget.
• Familiarity with tools, techniques, and procedures related to project schedule management, control and forecasting in large and/or complex capital construction projects
• Applied knowledge of statistical analysis methods
• Ability to analyze construction project performance using metrics and present the information via dashboards and progress reports.
• Ability to clearly organize and present project portfolio reports and other related portfolio technical information
• Knowledge of project risk management principles, practices, standards and methods
• Advanced Excel user skills and intermediate to advanced PowerPoint skills
• Excellent written and oral communication skills to communicate complex information clearly and concisely
• Ability to work diplomatically across teams with varying objectives
• Strong focus on collaboration, team building, and customer service

Minimum Qualifications

• Bachelor's Degree in construction management, engineering, science, business related field or equivalent combination of education, training and/or relevant experience.
• Must have 6 years of relevant work experience, construction, project cost management and project controls.
• Experience leading both cost and schedule controls for capital construction projects, programs, and/or portfolios.
• Excellent oral and written communications skills.

Preferred Qualifications

• Bachelor's Degree or higher degree in science, engineering, or construction management.
• 8 years of relevant work experience.
• Experience in capital construction controls experience in the rail industry, oil and gas, energy, or pharmaceutical industry.

One or more of the following certifications / credentials:

• PSP, CEP, EVP, or CCP (AACE)
• EVMP
• PMP, RMP (PMI)

Experience with data analysis, preferably with Excel and PowerBI

Experience with SAP, Masterworks, Maximo, Procore, and related tools

Environmental Conditions/Physical Demands

• Office environment; exposure to computer screens.
• May require maintaining physical condition necessary for sitting, walking or standing for prolonged periods of time.
• This position works 4 days in the office and 1 day remote.