Senior Project Controls Specialist

Job Title:

Senior Project Controls Specialist Job Description This Senior Project Controls Specialist role focuses on delivering robust schedule and cost controls across a diverse portfolio of infrastructure, mission critical, industrial, electrical, and civil projects ranging from $5 million to $1 billion. You will develop and manage detailed Primavera P6 schedules, implement project controls standards, and provide clear, data-driven insights that help project teams meet schedule, cost, and quality objectives. This position offers the opportunity to start on smaller projects and progressively take on larger, more complex assignments while mentoring others in best practices for project controls. Responsibilities Support the Project Controls Manager in implementing standardized project controls processes, procedures, and reporting across multiple projects. Develop, maintain, and manage detailed project schedules using Primavera P6, including bid schedules built directly from plans and specifications. Break down estimates into work breakdown structures (WBS), load costs and resources, and build fully cost- and resource-loaded CPM schedules. Track and analyze project performance using earned value management metrics such as Planned Value (PV), Earned Value (EV), Cost Performance Index (CPI), and Schedule Performance Index (SPI). Monitor project progress, update schedules with actual data, and identify schedule impacts resulting from delays, changes, or emerging risks. Perform schedule variance and cost variance analysis to understand deviations from plan and recommend corrective actions. Conduct change order impact analysis to determine schedule and cost implications of scope changes and support accurate forecasting. Collaborate closely with Project Managers and Field Supervisors to develop and refine the WBS, resolve discrepancies, and proactively mitigate schedule or cost risks. Provide accurate, timely, and clear project controls reports and dashboards, highlighting key performance indicators and conditions that could impact project objectives. Communicate project controls findings and recommendations to project teams and leadership in a concise and actionable manner. Assist in training and mentoring project teams on project controls tools, processes, and best practices, including the effective use of Primavera P6 and reporting tools. Manage multiple projects simultaneously, prioritizing tasks and meeting deadlines while supporting special initiatives and continuous improvement efforts. Maintain strong document control practices, ensuring accurate and organized records for schedules, cost data, and project controls documentation. Support cost control activities, including cost tracking, cost analysis, and budget monitoring, to help ensure projects remain within approved budgets. Coordinate with other functional teams to support quality control, inventory control, and overall project coordination efforts. Essential Skills 10-15 years of experience in project controls with a strong mix of scheduling and cost control responsibilities. General construction experience across a variety of project types, including infrastructure, industrial, and commercial projects. Advanced proficiency in Primavera P6 for developing, maintaining, and analyzing project schedules. Strong cost control and cost analysis experience, including building and managing cost- and resource-loaded CPM schedules. Proficiency in Microsoft Office, including strong skills in Microsoft Excel for data analysis, reporting, and dashboard creation. Experience with project scheduling, project coordination, and project controls processes in a construction environment. Ability to perform earned value analysis using PV, EV, CPI, and SPI metrics and translate findings into actionable recommendations. Solid understanding of document control practices and the ability to maintain accurate project documentation. Strong communication skills with the ability to clearly present schedule and cost information to project teams and leadership. Experience working with financial or cost-related software tools to support budgeting, forecasting, and cost tracking. Bachelor's degree in Engineering, Construction Management, or an equivalent technical discipline, or equivalent practical experience. Additional Skills & Qualifications Experience supporting electrical construction projects or projects that involve installation of complex electrical systems. Background in quality control, with the ability to align schedule and cost performance with quality objectives. Experience with inventory control and coordination between office and warehouse or fabrication operations. Exposure to mission critical environments such as data centers, healthcare facilities, laboratories, universities, hotels, government facilities, and commercial office buildings. Ability to train and mentor project teams in project controls tools and best practices, fostering a culture of continuous improvement. Strong attention to detail and accuracy in data entry, reporting, and documentation. Ability to manage multiple concurrent projects, adapt to changing priorities, and meet tight deadlines. Comfort working with cross-functional teams, including project management, field supervision, and warehouse or fabrication personnel. Work Environment This role is based in a well-established, historical firm located approximately 20 miles from Chicago, in an office setting that features open cubicles, conference rooms, and a kitchen to support collaboration and daily comfort. The organization emphasizes a lively, supportive culture with regular work events, meet-and-greet sessions for new employees, quarterly activities, and an annual holiday celebration, reflecting a strong focus on employee satisfaction and engagement. You will work standard hours from 7:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m., Monday through Friday, in the office five days a week. The position involves occasional travel to project sites throughout the Midwest, typically in Illinois, Wisconsin, Indiana, and Michigan, with travel expenses covered. The company operates both office and warehouse environments, with drawings sent to the warehouse for fabrication, and employs approximately 150 people on site. You will support a wide range of projects, including infrastructure, mission critical, industrial, electrical, and civil work, as well as commercial buildouts, new buildings, healthcare facilities, data centers, universities, hotels, laboratories, government facilities, and office buildings, providing exposure to varied technologies, systems, and construction methods. Job Type & Location This is a Contract to Hire position based out of Willowbrook, IL. Pay and Benefits The pay range for this position is $62.50 - $67.31/hr. 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) Workplace Type This is a fully onsite position in Willowbrook,IL.

Application Deadline This position is anticipated to close on Jun 16, 2026. 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 30,000 consultants and more than 4,500 clients across the U.S., Canada, Asia and Europe, Actalent serves many of the Fortune 500. 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.