Controls Manager Jobs in Chicago, IL (NOW HIRING)

About the Company

Our client is a rapidly growing, nationally recognized electrical contractor specializing in mission-critical construction projects, including data centers, advanced manufacturing facilities, and other complex commercial and industrial environments. With a reputation for delivering technically challenging projects safely, on schedule, and with exceptional quality, the company continues to expand its presence across the United States.

As project complexity and scale continue to grow, the organization is investing in its Project Controls function to enhance financial visibility, forecasting accuracy, scheduling, and operational performance. This is an outstanding opportunity to join a collaborative leadership team where project controls are viewed as a strategic driver of successful project delivery.

About the Position

The Project Controls Manager will lead the execution and continuous improvement of project controls across large-scale construction projects. This individual will oversee cost control, forecasting, scheduling, earned value management, billing, reporting, and project performance analytics while partnering closely with Project Managers, Operations, Accounting, and Executive Leadership.

This role serves as the financial and operational pulse of assigned projects, providing timely insight into project health through key performance indicators (KPIs), forecasting, risk analysis, and data-driven reporting. The successful candidate will also supervise Project Controls Analysts and Project Schedulers while helping establish enterprise-wide best practices and standardized project controls processes.

This is an excellent opportunity for an experienced construction professional who enjoys combining financial analysis, project management, scheduling, and strategic planning to improve project outcomes.

Key Responsibilities

• Lead all project controls activities for assigned construction projects from preconstruction through closeout.
• Develop, implement, and continuously improve project controls processes and reporting standards.
• Monitor project health through cost analysis, earned value management, productivity metrics, forecasting, and KPIs.
• Partner with Project Managers to develop accurate financial projections, cash flow forecasts, and project completion estimates.
• Oversee project billing processes, including AIA billing, percentage-of-completion reporting, and contract compliance.
• Review contract requirements to ensure compliance with billing, reporting, scheduling, certified payroll, minority participation, insurance documentation, and other contractual obligations.
• Manage change control processes by tracking scope changes, schedule impacts, and associated cost adjustments.
• Integrate project budgets, work breakdown structures (WBS), procurement milestones, and schedules into comprehensive reporting systems.
• Develop executive dashboards and client-facing reports highlighting cost trends, schedule performance, earned value, forecasting, and project status.
• Analyze productivity trends, labor performance, and resource utilization to support operational decision-making.
• Identify project risks by monitoring critical path activities and schedule performance.
• Coordinate closely with Accounting to ensure financial reporting accuracy and cost code integrity.
• Support development of the company's corporate Project Controls Plan and standardized best practices.
• Lead and mentor Project Controls Analysts and Project Schedulers while promoting continuous improvement across the department.

Requirements

• Bachelor's degree in Construction Management, Engineering, or a related field.
• 10+ years of construction industry experience in Project Controls, Project Management, Project Scheduling, or Cost Engineering.
• Experience supporting large commercial, industrial, or mission-critical construction projects.
• Strong knowledge of project budgeting, forecasting, earned value management (EVM), scheduling, cost control, and project reporting.
• Experience managing AIA billing, change management, and construction contract compliance.
• Familiarity with Work Breakdown Structures (WBS), project scheduling methodologies, and resource planning.
• Experience supervising project controls personnel or scheduling teams preferred.
• Proficiency with construction accounting systems, scheduling software, and project reporting tools.
• Mission-critical or data center construction experience is highly desirable.

Benefits

• Competitive base salary commensurate with experience ($140,000-$180,000)
• Performance-based bonus opportunity
• Comprehensive medical, dental, and vision insurance
• 401(k) retirement plan with company match
• Paid vacation and company holidays
• Professional development and leadership growth opportunities
• Opportunity to work on some of the nation's most complex mission-critical construction projects
• Collaborative culture focused on innovation, operational excellence, and career advancement