Project Controls Specialist (Construction)
Location: Los Angeles County, California
Company: Dabri, Inc.
Position Summary
The Project Controls Cost Analyst is responsible for overseeing project budgets, forecasts, cost reporting, and overall financial performance for capital construction projects. This role performs detailed cost analysis, monitors project expenditures, evaluates budget and schedule variances, and supports change management and risk assessment activities. Working closely with Project Managers, Construction Managers, Schedulers, and Finance teams, the analyst ensures accurate forecasting, cost coding, and financial reporting while maintaining compliance with established project controls procedures. The position provides critical financial insights and recommendations that support informed decision-making, effective cost management, and successful project delivery.
Responsibilities
- Oversee the integrity and accuracy of project budgets and forecasts in compliance with approved standard operating procedures.
- Actively participate in monthly EAC (Estimate at Completion) meetings, ensuring accurate
validation, reviewing current EACs, and providing justification for any variances. - Contribute to change management discussions by identifying emerging trends, risks, and exposure factors.
- Engage in Risk Assessment workshops, offering insights on potential financial impacts and
identifying mitigation strategies. - Conduct thorough cost variance analyses to identify trends and proactively address any potential budget impacts.
- Continuously monitor trends and associated mitigation plans, comparing projected versus actual performance over time.
- Review project budgets and expenditures, ensuring alignment with diverse funding sources and financial goals.
- Collaborate closely with schedulers to evaluate cost and schedule performance, identifying cost overruns, delays, and variances in planned versus actual expenditures.
- Review and analyze monthly cost reports and progress reports to ensure alignment with project financial objectives.
- Analyze staffing plans to identify potential cost impacts, such as excessive peaks, and provide recommendations for optimizing resource allocation.
- Validate cost coding and budget allocations for contract change orders and amendments, assessing potential impacts on project timelines and financials.
- Ensure that contracts, purchase orders, task order, change orders, and amendments are accurately budgeted and reported, with proper cost coding and financial oversight.
- Enforce cost management policies and procedures for capital projects, especially those with
multiple funding sources. - Allocate Estimate to Complete (ETC) amounts as required for PBA (Project Budget Adjustments), change orders, and other financial adjustments.
- Manage and monitor ETCs for each project to ensure timely and accurate tracking of financial changes.
- Create comprehensive reports related to budgeting, cost control, auditing, and asset tracking, utilizing systems like e-Builder, Proliance, DELTEK, and other relevant platforms used by the Program Management Office.
- Work closely with Project Managers and Construction Managers to maintain data coding structures, project control tools, and high-quality data for budgets, contracts, change orders, trends, and actual costs.
- Conduct budget and financial reconciliations, ensuring alignment between project forecasts,
expenditures, and actual costs. Address discrepancies and implement corrective actions as
necessary. - Support management with the preparation of regular budget and cost reports, ensuring clarity and accuracy.
- Assist with preparing regular and ad hoc reports on project budgets, financial status, and
forecasting for senior leadership. - Provide support for weekly/monthly cost and status reports, keeping project teams informed of financial performance.
- Perform necessary data entry tasks related to budget and forecast updates.
- Develop and maintain change management logs in accordance with established processes and procedures.
- Travel to offsite project locations as required.
- Undertake additional duties and special projects assigned.
Minimum Qualifications
- Seven (7) - Ten (10) years minimum recent professional experience in project controls, particularly on a capital construction program.
- BS/BA Degree in Business Administration, Engineering, Project Management, Construction
Management, and/or related degree. Additional four years of qualifying experience in excess to the minimum stated above may be substituted in lieu of formal education. - Strong analytical capabilities, with the ability to organize and interpret complex financial data
- Proficiency in financial modeling and advanced Excel functions.
- Exceptional attention to detail, ensuring accuracy in data analysis and reporting.
- Advanced problem-solving skills and a strategic approach to financial management.
- Ability to communicate complex financial concepts clearly to non-financial stakeholders.
- Proven track record of working independently and meeting tight deadlines.
- Strong business acumen and understanding of organizational financial goals and
objectives. - Comfortable working in a fast-paced, dynamic environment.
- Proficiency in using Microsoft Office applications, including Word, Excel, PowerPoint, and Outlook, and the ability to perform tasks such as creating documents, analyzing data, preparing presentations, and managing emails efficiently is expected.
About Dabri, Inc.
Dabri, Inc. is a California-based consulting firm specializing in program and construction management, engineering support, project controls, cost estimating, scheduling, environmental compliance, and QA/QC oversight. Since 2001, we have supported complex public infrastructure and capital improvement programs across education, healthcare, transportation, aviation, and civic facilities. Our team works collaboratively with public agencies and project stakeholders to ensure projects are delivered safely, efficiently, and in full compliance with applicable standards.
Application Deadline
Applications must be submitted no later than July 3, 2026. Resumes received after the deadline will be retained for consideration for future opportunities but will not be considered for this specific position.
How to Apply
Please submit your resume along with your education, relevant experience, project history, and expected salary for consideration.
PSA : We are also looking for Lead Cost Estimators.