Project Controls Manager at Compu Dynamics in Chantilly, VA

At Compu Dynamics, we don’t just build infrastructure—we create the backbone of the digital future. As North America’s premier technology infrastructure design-build partner, we design, construct, and maintain mission-critical data centers for some of the world’s most innovative companies. With roots in one of the fastest-growing data center markets in the world, our growth is as intentional as our impact. Summary/Objective:

The Project Controls Manager is responsible for schedule and cost control practice across Compu Dynamics projects nationwide. This position develops proposal schedules in support of Estimating; reviews and approves baseline project schedules and periodic schedule updates produced by project teams; monitors change events and monthly budget forecasts in Procore; and supports Accounting through the work-in-progress (WIP) review cycle. The objective of the role is the accurate and timely forecasting of schedule and cost outcomes across the project portfolio, supported by consistent project controls standards applied by every project team. Responsibilities will be refined and adjusted as the function matures.

Essential Functions:

Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

1. Preconstruction & Proposal Scheduling

• Create proposal and preconstruction schedules in support of Estimating, including milestone dates, procurement and long-lead assumptions, phasing, and construction sequencing.
• Provide schedule inputs and durations to estimators and business development for proposals, interviews, and client presentations.
• Confirm proposed schedules align with contract requirements, client milestones, and realistic crew productivity and manpower availability.
• Develop and maintain standard schedule templates, activity coding, and work breakdown structures for recurring project types.

1. Project Schedule Review, Approval & Monitoring

• Assist project teams with the creation of baseline project schedules for Divisions 9 and 21; review and approve schedules prior to issue.
• Verify that schedules capture full scope, logical sequencing, a defensible critical path, appropriate float, procurement and submittal activities, and all contractual milestones.
• Monitor, review, and approve the monthly and biweekly schedule status updates entered by project teams in Procore.
• Assist project teams in developing and maintaining three-week look-ahead schedules and confirm alignment with the current baseline.
• Identify schedule slippage, critical path shifts, and float erosion early; escalate to the Vice President and responsible Project Manager with recommended recovery options.
• Maintain schedule records and narratives sufficient to support time extension requests, delay analysis, and client schedule reporting.

1. Cost Control & Forecasting

• Monitor and review Change Events entered in Procore by project teams for accuracy, completeness, timeliness, and correct cost coding.
• Review and balance the monthly budget forecast in Procore, working with Project Managers to validate cost-to-complete and identify margin risk.
• Track forecast accuracy over time and report variances between forecasted and actual cost and schedule outcomes.
• Flag aging or unapproved change events, unbilled work, and emerging cost overruns to the Vice President and the responsible project team.
• Support Project Managers in understanding the cost impact of schedule changes and the schedule impact of scope changes.

1. WIP, Reporting & Analytics

• Attend WIP meetings and assist Accounting with WIP adjustments, percent-complete validation, and supporting documentation.
• Produce portfolio-level schedule and cost reporting for executive leadership, including status, forecast, variance, and risk exposure.
• Develop and maintain project controls dashboards and key performance indicators.
• Provide schedule and manpower-loading data to support Workforce Planning, staffing forecasts, and resource allocation across active and awarded projects.

1. Standards, Training & Continuous Improvement

• Establish and maintain project controls standards, procedures, and templates for scheduling, change management, and cost forecasting.
• Train and mentor Project Managers, Superintendents, and project engineers on scheduling practice and Procore workflows.
• Drive consistent and on-time schedule and forecast updates across all project teams.
• Recommend and implement improvements to tools, reporting, and the flow of data between Procore, accounting systems, and workforce planning.
• Refine the scope and responsibilities of the project controls function with the Vice President as the program matures.

Authority and Working Relationships:

This position is a portfolio-level governance and support function. Authority and working relationships are as follows:

• Reports directly to the Vice President – General Construction.
• Holds review and approval authority over baseline project schedules and periodic schedule updates.
• Reviews and balances cost forecasts and recommends corrective action; accountability for project cost and margin outcomes remains with the Project Manager and their line leadership.
• Partners closely with Estimating, Accounting and Finance, Workforce Planning, Project Management, and Field Operations.
• Does not carry profit and loss responsibility for individual projects and does not direct field means and methods.

Measures of Success:

Performance in this role will be evaluated primarily against the following measures:

• Percentage of active projects carrying a reviewed and approved baseline schedule.
• On-time completion of monthly and biweekly schedule updates across all project teams.
• Accuracy of cost and schedule forecasts measured against actual outcomes at project close.
• Timeliness and completeness of change event entry and budget forecast updates in Procore.
• Quality and timeliness of schedule and cost data delivered to Estimating, Accounting, and Workforce Planning.

Competencies:

1. Expert-level CPM scheduling capability, including baseline development, updating, logic review, and critical path analysis.
2. Proficiency with Primavera P6 and/or Microsoft Project.
3. Proficiency with Procore, including Project Financials, Budget, Change Events, prime and commitment contracts, and scheduling tools.
4. Strong cost control and forecasting skills, including cost-to-complete, earned value concepts, and margin analysis.
5. Working knowledge of WIP reporting, percent-complete revenue recognition, and construction accounting practice.
6. Advanced Microsoft Excel; ability to build clear dashboards and executive-level reporting.
7. Ability to influence, coach, and hold project teams accountable without direct supervisory authority.
8. Excellent written and verbal communication with field, executive, and client audiences.
9. High attention to detail and disciplined follow-through on recurring reporting cycles.

Supervisory Responsibility:

This position has no direct reports at inception. As the project controls function grows, this role may supervise project controls analysts, schedulers, or cost engineers.

Work Environment:

This job operates primarily in a professional office environment, with periodic travel to active project sites and data center facilities nationwide.

• Routine use of standard office equipment, project management software, and video conferencing.
• Site visits require compliance with all client access requirements, site safety rules, and personal protective equipment requirements.
• Additional hours may be required around month-end close, WIP review, and proposal deadlines.

Physical Demands:

While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to:

• Remain in a stationary position at a workstation for extended periods and operate a computer.
• Communicate effectively in person, by telephone, and in virtual meetings.
• Occasionally stand and walk for extended periods during site visits, climb stairs and ladders, and traverse active construction areas.
• Occasionally lift and move materials or equipment up to 25 pounds.

Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform these essential functions.

Position Type:

This is a full-time, exempt position. Standard days and hours are typically Monday through Friday, with additional hours as required to meet reporting, WIP, and proposal deadlines. Travel to project sites nationwide is anticipated at approximately 25%.

Required Education and Experience:

1. Bachelor’s degree in Construction Management, Engineering, or a related field, or an equivalent combination of education and construction experience.
2. Seven or more years of construction industry experience, including a minimum of three years in scheduling, project controls, or cost control.
3. Demonstrated ability to build, update, and analyze CPM schedules on complex projects.
4. Proficiency with Procore and with CPM scheduling software.
5. Working knowledge of construction cost forecasting and change management.

Preferred Education and Experience:

1. Data center or mission critical construction experience.
2. AACE Planning & Scheduling Professional (PSP) or Certified Cost Professional (CCP), or PMI Scheduling Professional (PMI-SP).
3. Experience supporting electrical, mechanical, or fire suppression scopes of work.
4. Experience implementing project controls standards across multiple project teams or regions.
5. Experience with resource-loaded schedules and manpower forecasting to support workforce planning.

Compu Dynamics Pay Range

$130,000—$170,000 USD

Compu Dynamics offers a comprehensive benefits package that supports the health, well-being, and growth of our team members. Full-time employees are eligible for:

• Medical, Dental, and Vision Insurance – effective the first of the month following hire, with plans currently offered through Cigna.
• 401(k) Retirement Plan – automatic enrollment at 3% on your date of hire; company match up to 4% (with a 7% contribution needed to receive the full match), plus profit-sharing opportunities.
• Employer-Paid Life Insurance – coverage equal to 1x your salary.
• Short-Term Disability (STD) – fully paid by Compu Dynamics.
• Voluntary Benefits – including Long-Term Disability, supplemental life insurance (employee, spouse, children), Accident, Critical Illness, and Hospital Indemnity coverage.
• Paid Time Off (PTO) – accrue up to 160 hours (4 weeks) annually, beginning after 60 days of employment.
• Paid Holidays – 7 company-observed holidays plus a floating holiday.
• Birthday Time Off – 8 hours of paid time off during your birthday month.
• Paid Parental Leave – 8 weeks maternity leave and 2 weeks paternity leave, concurrent with FMLA.
• Volunteer Time Off (VTO) – 40 hours annually for community service.
• Boot Reimbursement – up to $150 annually, available from your first day.
• Tool Reimbursement – $250 annually, available after 60 days.
• Tuition Reimbursement – up to $5,000 annually for approved educational programs.

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Compu Dynamics provides equal employment opportunities (EEO) to all employees and applicants for employment without regard to race, color, religion, gender, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, age, disability, genetic information, marital status, amnesty or status as a covered veteran in accordance with applicable federal, state and local laws.

Compu Dynamics complies with applicable state and local laws governing nondiscrimination in employment in every location in which the company has facilities. This policy applies to all terms and conditions of employment, including hiring, placement, promotion, termination, layoff, recall, transfers, leaves of absence, compensation and training.

Compu Dynamics expressly prohibits any form of unlawful employee harassment based on race, color, religion, gender, sexual orientation, national origin, age, genetic information, disability or veteran status. Improper interference with the ability of Compu Dynamics employees to perform their expected job duties is absolutely not tolerated.