What Is a Project Control Manager and How to Become One

By ZipRecruiter Marketplace Research Team

A project controls manager oversees construction and engineering projects to make sure the team makes progress and meets goals. As a project controls manager, your duties include project planning, scheduling planning meetings and progress check-ins, estimating and monitoring project costs, sticking to a budget, and reviewing project quality compared to the desired objective. Your responsibilities include collaborating with project managers, crew leaders, superintendents, and engineering professionals working on the project. You must also develop or update operating policies for team communication and safety and risk mitigation.

The qualifications you need to become a project controls manager are a bachelor’s degree in project management, construction management, or engineering and at least five years of industry experience. Experience in supervisory roles is beneficial in building your leadership and communication skills. You may complete a construction apprenticeship or engineering internship to learn from experienced professionals and gain practical experience before you become fully qualified to work in the industry. Project management and computer skills are essential for a job in project controls management.

The career path of a project controls manager begins with education and training in the construction or engineering industries. You can start with an associate’s degree from a community college technical program in construction technology or project management. Then you may complete a bachelor’s degree or go directly into the workforce as an apprentice, intern, or member of a construction crew. Experience on a construction team as a craft professional, crew leader, or foreman prepares you for a project controls manager job. As you grow your skill set in that role, you can advance to a senior construction management position.