Project Scheduler Jobs in Chicago, IL (NOW HIRING)

The Project Scheduler plays a critical role in planning, coordinating, and maintaining detailed construction schedules for large industrial projects. This position focuses on developing resource- and cost-loaded schedules, tracking field progress, and providing insightful reports that support effective project controls and decision-making. The role requires close collaboration with project leadership, subcontractors, and vendors to ensure timely delivery of services, materials, and equipment, while upholding high standards of safety, integrity, and performance.

• Review and develop comprehensive project schedules from plans and specifications, incorporating budgeted dollars, quantities, labor resources, and integrating subcontractor and vendor schedules for the delivery of services, equipment, and materials.
• Continuously update and revise project schedules to reflect actual progress, delays, and other impacts, including actual start and finish dates, remaining durations, quantities installed, actual labor hours, and associated costs.
• Adjust schedules to account for drawing, design, and delivery revisions, ensuring that changes are accurately captured and communicated to project stakeholders.
• Develop and maintain a robust project cost code framework and create a work breakdown structure (WBS) aligned with a fully cost- and resource-loaded schedule.
• Regularly prepare and distribute detailed reports for management review, including cash flow projections, hourly shutdown and outage schedules, weekly quantity reports, and performance metrics such as Schedule Performance Index (SPI), Cost Performance Index (CPI), Earned Value (EV), and manpower reports.
• Track field progress diligently and ensure that schedule updates and performance metrics accurately reflect on-site activities and productivity.
• Review contractor schedules and programs for compliance with contract documents, identifying discrepancies and recommending corrective actions when necessary.
• Advise the Superintendent and Project Manager on subcontractor and vendor performance, highlighting potential schedule risks and opportunities for improvement.
• Collaborate closely with cross-functional project teams, including project management, field supervision, and project controls, to align schedule expectations and resolve issues.
• Communicate effectively with managers, co-workers, subcontractors, and construction craft employees to explain schedule logic, changes, and impacts in a clear and professional manner.
• Support project controls efforts by leveraging scheduling data to improve forecasting, resource planning, and cost management.
• Utilize Primavera P6 and other project management software to build, maintain, and analyze complex construction schedules, particularly for heavy industrial and large-scale projects.
• Apply strong problem-solving and critical-thinking skills to identify schedule conflicts, evaluate alternatives, and propose solutions that keep the project on track.
• Manage competing priorities in a fast-paced environment, maintaining a strong sense of urgency while ensuring accuracy and attention to detail in all scheduling activities.
• Work both independently and as part of a team, taking ownership of schedule quality and integrity while collaborating with other schedulers on the project.
• Support adherence to industry and safety standards by reflecting safe work practices and realistic productivity assumptions in the schedule.

• Minimum of four (4) years of project scheduling experience in construction, preferably within the heavy industrial sector.
• Proficiency in Primavera P6, with demonstrated ability to develop and manage complex, resource-loaded construction schedules.
• Industrial construction experience, ideally on large-scale projects with significant scope and complexity.
• Hands-on experience with resource loading and cost loading in project schedules.
• Proven experience tracking field progress and generating SPI, CPI, EV, and manpower reports for management review.
• Experience reviewing contractor programs and schedules for compliance with contract documents.
• Undergraduate degree in engineering, construction management, or another relevant discipline.
• Strong scheduling software skills, particularly in Primavera P6.
• Proficiency with Microsoft Teams, Outlook, Excel, Word, and PowerPoint.
• Experience using project management software such as Procore, Power BI, or similar platforms.
• Strong problem-solving and critical-thinking skills applied to schedule development and analysis.
• Ability to juggle competing priorities in a fast-paced environment while maintaining accuracy and attention to detail.
• Effective written and verbal communication skills, with the ability to interact professionally with managers, co-workers, subcontractors, and craft employees.
• Ability to work effectively with cross-functional teams as well as independently.
• Understanding and appreciation of industry and safety standards in construction environments.
• Willingness and ability to travel extensively and temporarily reside at the project site for extended periods, with travel home provided every other weekend.

• Experience in project controls functions, including forecasting, performance measurement, and cost tracking.
• Background in commercial or large project construction environments.
• Familiarity with shutdown and outage scheduling for industrial facilities.
• Ability to collaborate closely with another scheduler on the project team and align approaches to scheduling and reporting.
• Strong organizational skills and the ability to maintain structured cost codes and work breakdown structures.
• Comfort working in a family-oriented, safety-focused culture that values integrity and long-term career stability.
• Ability to maintain professionalism and clear communication when advising project leadership on subcontractor and vendor performance.

This role is based on a large-scale industrial construction project in East Alton, IL, with the scheduler working on site daily. The project duration is approximately two years, and the scheduler is expected to be on site Monday through Friday from 7:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m., supporting a broader project schedule that operates six 10-hour days per week. The scheduler works alongside 4–5 other team members on site and collaborates directly with another scheduler on the project team. The position reports into senior project leadership and is embedded in a culture that emphasizes safety, integrity, family-oriented values, and long-term career stability. The environment is fast-paced and highly collaborative, with extensive use of Primavera P6, Microsoft Office tools, and project management platforms such as Procore or Power BI. The role requires extensive travel and temporary residence at the project site, with travel home provided every other weekend and potential eligibility for travel subsistence pay and travel incentive bonuses.

This is a Contract to Hire position based out of Oakbrook Terrace, IL.

The pay range for this position is $55.00 - $70.00/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)

This is a fully onsite position in Oakbrook Terrace,IL.

This position is anticipated to close on Aug 18, 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 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.

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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.

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