Project Controls Lead II - Per Diem
Carlsbad, New Mexico, United States
Competitive
Sector:
Posted: 3/2/2026
Ref: BH-329142
MAIN FUNCTIONS The Project Controls Lead (PCL) directs all aspects of project controls, including estimating, cost management, progress tracking, schedule development and control, and change management. This role ensures consistent application of systems, procedures, and best practices across the project.
TASKS AND RESPONSIBILITIES
With over 90 years' combined experience, NES Fircroft (NES) is proud to be the world's leading engineering staffing provider spanning the Oil & Gas, Power & Renewables, Chemicals, Construction & Infrastructure, Life Sciences, Mining and Manufacturing sectors worldwide. With more than 80 offices in 45 countries, we are able to provide our clients with the engineering and technical expertise they need, wherever and whenever it is needed. We offer contractors far more than a traditional recruitment service, supporting with everything from securing visas and work permits, to providing market-leading benefits packages and accommodation, ensuring they are safely and compliantly able to support our clients.
TASKS AND RESPONSIBILITIES
- Deliver accurate, timely data and work products to support benchmarking and continuous improvement tools.
- Provide leadership and expertise in project cost control, scheduling, progress measurement, and change management.
- Support the Project Team and Stewards with cost/schedule analysis, reporting, forecasting, and budget preparation.
- Develop the Project Controls Plan and Management of Change (MOC) Plan.
- Implement and maintain the project stewardship process, including monthly cost and schedule reviews.
- Coordinate priorities for estimating, planning, and cost-control activities across new and ongoing work.
- Lead development and maintenance of the Cost Breakdown Structure (CBS), Original Control Budget (OCB), Current Control Budget (CCB), Project Master Schedule, and Planning & Budgeting deliverables.
- Oversee collection, analysis, and reporting of cost and schedule data to assess project status and identify risks; prepare forecasts.
- Administer the Management of Change process.
- Facilitate capital efficiency efforts, including Opportunity and Vulnerability reviews.
- Collaborate with Controllers on AFEs, budgets, invoicing, and Work‑In‑Place development.
- Participate in bid evaluations as needed.
- Contribute to development of Contract Price Budgets, Control Schedules, and Milestones.
- Ensure the Project Controls team understands contractor payment terms and contract coordination requirements.
- Lead preparation for Gate Reviews, Advance Commitment stages, Full Funding, and Supplement submissions.
- Coordinate cost/schedule estimates for Gate and Checkpoint reviews.
- Support development of Estimate Confidence Packages and Estimate Development Plans.
- Respond to ad‑hoc controls/reporting requests from the Project Management Team (PMT).
- Prepare materials for consortium, affiliate, or joint‑venture presentations.
- Support project close‑out reporting and CA$HD submissions.
- Perform project‑level quality assurance by monitoring contractor cost control, scheduling, and progress measurement performance.
- Ensure contractors apply strong and effective project control practices, including proper organization, procedures, and reporting.
- Review and endorse contractor baselines, forecasts, progress reports, and trend analyses.
- Evaluate contractor change proposals, including cost and schedule bases and progress trends.
- Assist site leadership in building and validating corrective action or recovery plans and ensuring implementation.
- Manage the cost and schedule organization—including contractor teams—and act as the primary interface between the project and project controls function.
- Maintain close collaboration with other project and functional stakeholders.
- Lead development of a tailored Project Controls Implementation Plan specific to project needs.
- Mentor and guide project controls engineers and planners.
- Ensure functional alignment and approval of key deliverables (e.g., Estimate Confidence Package, Estimate Development Plan).
- Promote and drive capital efficiency across all stewarded projects.
- Bachelor’s degree in Engineering, Engineering Technology, or Construction Management.
- Proven experience in project controls with strong accomplishments in cost and schedule management.
- Supervisory or team‑lead experience required.
- Professional certifications (Primavera, PMI, AACE, etc.) preferred.
- Willingness to work globally and relocate to project sites as needed.
- Knowledge of company project management frameworks and associated work processes.
- Demonstrated ability to drive innovation, creative problem‑solving, and continuous improvement.
- Strong influencing, consulting, mentoring, analytical, and computer skills.
- Proficient in Excel and PowerPoint.
- Adaptable, organized, and able to manage shifting priorities.
- Excellent interpersonal and communication skills, with the ability to handle urgent analysis requests effectively.
With over 90 years' combined experience, NES Fircroft (NES) is proud to be the world's leading engineering staffing provider spanning the Oil & Gas, Power & Renewables, Chemicals, Construction & Infrastructure, Life Sciences, Mining and Manufacturing sectors worldwide. With more than 80 offices in 45 countries, we are able to provide our clients with the engineering and technical expertise they need, wherever and whenever it is needed. We offer contractors far more than a traditional recruitment service, supporting with everything from securing visas and work permits, to providing market-leading benefits packages and accommodation, ensuring they are safely and compliantly able to support our clients.
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