Job Title: Project Cost SpecialistJob DescriptionThe Project Cost Specialist provides comprehensive cost and schedule support to project leadership and site teams, ensuring that project controls are accurate, timely, and aligned with contractual and business requirements. This role focuses on developing, maintaining, and auditing project schedules, coordinating reporting between corporate and field sites, and supporting effective forecasting and cost management across multiple projects.
Responsibilities
- Provide ongoing cost and schedule support and guidance to site Project Managers, ensuring project controls are accurate and aligned with contractual obligations.
- Interface with clients and business unit leadership to ensure all required deliverables are met, including monthly and periodic reports and project review documentation.
- Participate in Project Support Team activities and periodic audits of processes to confirm compliance with contractual procedures and internal standards.
- Coordinate all interface reporting and review meetings between corporate teams and field sites, ensuring clear communication and timely information flow.
- Coordinate the start-up of new field sites, including cost and schedule setup, and manage demobilization activities when projects are completed.
- Provide support and guidance to site Scheduling personnel, helping them develop, maintain, and update detailed project schedules.
- Collaborate with Engineering, Construction, and Operations teams to develop detailed project schedules and assist in keeping these schedules current and realistic.
- Assist with analyzing and auditing project schedules to identify variances, risks, and opportunities for improvement.
- Develop and modify project schedules, including integrating multiple project schedules into a comprehensive Master Program Schedule.
- Support proposal scheduling activities as needed, contributing schedule input and project controls expertise to bid and proposal efforts.
- Support Project Teams with cost management activities, including forecasting, cost analysis, and Estimate at Completion (EAC) reviews.
- Apply project controls and cost control practices, including earned value concepts, to monitor performance and support decision-making.
- Prepare and maintain accurate reports and documentation using Excel, including pivot tables and other analytical tools, to track project cost and schedule performance.
- Use Power BI and other reporting tools to present cost and schedule data in a clear and actionable format for stakeholders.
- Contribute to financial and cost analysis activities related to project control, ensuring that budgets, forecasts, and actuals are aligned.
- Ensure all project control activities are conducted with a high level of detail orientation, accuracy, and organizational discipline.
- Communicate clearly and effectively in both verbal and written form with project teams, clients, and leadership, while managing multiple tasks concurrently.
Essential Skills
- Ten plus years of experience in related project controls assignments, including cost control and project scheduling responsibilities.
- Strong background in project controls, including cost management, cost analysis, forecasting, and earned value concepts.
- Experience with construction or operational project environments and an understanding of project support requirements.
- Ability to perform cost and resource analysis to support budgeting, forecasting, and performance tracking.
- Thorough understanding of Primavera scheduling software and Microsoft scheduling tools.
- Basic knowledge and understanding of industry-standard scheduling terminology and practices.
- Knowledge of general project controls functions and the ability to plan, organize, budget, and monitor progress across multiple projects.
- High level of detail orientation with strong accuracy and exceptional organizational skills.
- Effective verbal and written communication skills, with the ability to manage multiple tasks concurrently.
- Good computer skills and proficiency with Microsoft Word and Excel, including the use of Excel pivot tables.
- Proficiency in Power BI for data visualization and reporting in a project controls context.
Additional Skills & Qualifications
- Earned Value Management experience is a plus.
- Experience with SAP R/3 for cost and project analysis is a plus.
- Exposure to controls engineering and financial analysis related to project control activities is beneficial.
- Experience with Primavera P6 or similar advanced project scheduling tools is an advantage.
- Some college or post-secondary education is preferred.
- Computer proficiency certifications or equivalent education are considered an asset.
Work EnvironmentThis role begins in a remote work environment and transitions to an on-site setting after mobilization. The position supports both corporate and field site teams, requiring regular collaboration with Engineering, Construction, Operations, and project support personnel. Work involves extensive use of project scheduling and project controls software, including Primavera, Microsoft scheduling tools, Microsoft Word and Excel, Power BI, and potentially SAP R/3. The environment is fast-paced and detail-oriented, with a strong focus on accuracy, timely reporting, and adherence to contractual and procedural requirements. Job Type & LocationThis is a Contract position based out of Charlotte, NC. Pay and BenefitsThe pay range for this position is $75.00 - $100.00/hr. Individual compensation offered for this position within this range will depend on many factors, including qualifications, skills, relevant experience, job knowledge, geographic location, internal equity, and other pertinent job-related factors.Eligibility requirements apply to some benefits and may depend on your job classification and length of employment. Benefits are subject to change and may be subject to specific elections, plan, or program terms. If eligible, the benefits
available for this temporary role may include the following:
Medical, dental & vision Critical Illness, Accident, and Hospital 401(k) Retirement Plan Pre-tax and Roth post-tax contributions available Life Insurance (Voluntary Life & AD&D for the employee and dependents) Short and long-term disability Health Spending Account (HSA) Transportation benefits Employee Assistance Program Time Off/Leave (PTO, Vacation or Sick Leave) Job Type & LocationThis is a Contract position based out of Charlotte, NC. Application DeadlineThis position is anticipated to close on Nov 19, 2026. Workplace TypeThis is a hybrid position in Charlotte,NC.About Actalent
Actalent is a global leader in engineering and sciences services and talent solutions. We help visionary companies advance their engineering and science initiatives through access to specialized experts who drive scale, innovation and speed to market. With a network of almost 20,000 consultants and 5,000 clients across the U.S., Canada, Asia and Europe, Actalent serves many of the Fortune 500. We are proud to be an Engineering News-Record (ENR) Top 500 Design Firm for our engineering design services and a ClearlyRated Best of Staffing® winner for both client and talent service.
The company is an equal opportunity employer and will consider all applications without regard to race, sex, age, color, religion, national origin, veteran status, disability, sexual orientation, gender identity, genetic information or any characteristic protected by law.
If you would like to request a reasonable accommodation, such as the modification or adjustment of the job application process or interviewing process due to a disability, please email actalentaccommodation@actalentservices.com for other accommodation options.
San Francisco Fair Chance Ordinance:
Pursuant to the San Francisco Fair Chance Ordinance, for all positions located in the city and county of San Francisco, we will consider for employment qualified applicants with arrest and conviction records.
Massachusetts Lie Detector:
It is unlawful in Massachusetts to require or administer a lie detector test as a condition of employment or continued employment. An employer who violates this law shall be subject to criminal penalties and civil liability.
Use of Artificial Intelligence (AI):
We may use Artificial Intelligence (AI) to support parts of our hiring process, including sourcing, screening, and evaluating candidates. AI helps assess applications and qualifications, but final decisions are made by our hiring team. By applying, you acknowledge and agree that your application may be reviewed using AI tools.