Project Controls Director

Job Overview

The Project Controls Director leads and oversees all project control activities for major construction, infrastructure, and EPC ventures. This role ensures efficient management of planning, scheduling, cost oversight, progress tracking, forecasting, reporting, and risk mitigation to meet goals related to project scope, budgets, timelines, and quality standards. The individual also guides project controls teams and may represent the Project Controls Director when necessary.

Core Responsibilities

• Develop, implement, and refine integrated project control systems spanning planning, scheduling, cost monitoring, progress assessment, forecasting, and reporting to optimize project outcomes.
• Ensure strict adherence to corporate project control protocols, policies, and industry best practices.
• Monitor project health by tracking performance metrics and advise on corrective and preventive measures.
• Assist in defining project baselines, control budgets, WBS structures, and performance measurement frameworks.
• Evaluate and authorize project schedules including execution, baselines, and recovery timetables.
• Track critical milestones, paths, and overall schedule adherence.
• Lead detailed schedule analyses such as critical path and risk evaluations.
• Collaborate with project teams to devise mitigation strategies and recovery plans when schedule deviations occur.
• Validate schedules and progress reports from contractors and subcontractors.
• Monitor and control budgets, expenditures, commitments, and forecasts to align financials with project goals.
• Support implementation of Earned Value Management (EVM) for performance tracking.
• Analyze cost deviations and propose necessary corrective actions.
• Coordinate with finance, procurement, and commercial units to maintain rigorous cost control.
• Aggregate weekly, monthly, and executive-level project performance reports.
• Create dashboards and KPI reports for senior leadership and clients.
• Present comprehensive project updates encompassing status, trends, forecasts, and risk evaluations.
• Participate actively in risk assessments related to schedule and costs, and assist with claims analysis focusing on schedule and cost impacts.
• Collaborate with contracts and commercial teams managing variations, extensions of time, and claims.
• Track and assess impact of project changes on overall performance.
• Provide leadership and mentorship to planning, scheduling, cost, and project controls engineers, ensuring cross-functional coordination among engineering, construction, procurement, commercial, and project management teams.
• Drive continuous enhancement and best practices across all project control functions.
• Work closely with stakeholders including project managers, commercial teams, consultants, and clients to support strategic decision-making.
• Act as the Project Controls Director during absences to guarantee seamless control operations and decisions.

Performance Metrics

• Schedule Performance Index (SPI)
• Cost Performance Index (CPI)
• Budget compliance
• Forecast reliability
• Reporting punctuality
• Schedule adherence
• Earned value reporting precision
• Management of outstanding project risks
• Effectiveness in change management
• Client satisfaction levels
• Compliance with project control procedures
• Team productivity and growth

Qualifications

• Bachelor's Degree in Engineering, Construction Management, Quantity Surveying, or related field required.
• Master’s Degree in Engineering, Project Management, Construction Management, or Business Administration preferred.

Preferred Certifications

• Project Management Professional (PMP)
• PMI Scheduling Professional (PMI-SP)
• Planning & Scheduling Professional (PSP - AACE)
• Certified Cost Professional (CCP - AACE)
• Primavera P6 Professional Certification

Experience Requirements

• At least 8 years of project control experience in large-scale construction, infrastructure, or EPC projects.
• Minimum 5 years of experience in supervisory or management positions.
• Experience within GCC region is advantageous.
• Proven track record managing planning, scheduling, cost, and project reporting functions on complex projects.

Technical Skills

• Deep understanding of project control methodologies and industry standards.
• Advanced skills with Primavera P6 and Microsoft Project software.
• Strong knowledge of Earned Value Management (EVM) principles.
• Expertise in budget control, forecasting, financial reporting, and cost management.
• Familiarity with construction contracts, claims processing, and change control procedures.
• Experience with schedule risk analysis and probabilistic risk assessments.
• Proficiency in developing advanced reports and dashboards using Power BI, Excel, or related tools.
• Strong analytical thinking and problem-solving capability.