Cost Controller

Position Requirements:
Working with an Owner/Consultant team, the Cost Controller reports to and receives direction from the Manager, Project Controls. This position shall be responsible for the setup of processes and systems along with reviewing, analyzing, forecasting, and providing direction on the cost performance for major projects under the stewardship of the Owner/Consultant team, which will provide a significant level of direction. The incumbent will be expected to coach and guide Company employees, consultants, and other contractors.
This position shall be responsible for collecting and analyzing cost and financial data to effectively aid in optimizing execution approach and project proposals. This position interfaces extensively with consultants and contractors, providing strategic guidance and direction to ensure cost estimates, reports, and forecasts produced by the consultants and contractors meet the Company’s requirements.
The ideal candidate will have the experience and education to perform the duties and job functions associated with this position, which include, but are not limited to, the following:
- Assist in the development and implementation of the overall departmental cost control plan for as well as specific projects;
- Participates in the review and preparation of project estimates required for decision gates, regulatory reviews, board reviews, and project sanctions and the establishment of the sanction control budgets;
- Lead the development of departmental cost controlling and reporting processes, including the review of internal corporate cost report and management systems as well as determining the proper interfaces and systems for the department;
- Mentor employees to enhance estimating, cost control, and forecasting knowledge within the organization;
- Be available and participate in any required regulatory reviews, technical sessions, and hearings for major project applications;
- Collect and analyze of cost data;
- Monitor trends and changes and identify potential cost opportunities, risks, or inefficiencies at a program and project-specific basis.
- Assist in preparing screening level cost estimates to support the evaluation of various business planning activities;
- Review and validate construction key cost parameters recommended by consultants, including construction fleet cost and productivity rates, material pricing, etc.;
- Work with Owner's engineering, planning, and construction resources to review and validate construction sequence and methodology proposed by consultants and/or contractors;
- Review estimates, bids, and proposals and aid in the comparison to Owner-approved budgets;
- Review and approve the cost management plans and practices of consultants and/or contractors, ensuring that they are in alignment with Company’s expectations.
- Proactive and ongoing forecasting of project outcomes and reporting trends and variances from the plan;
- Understand the Decision Gate cost estimate requirements for sanction decisions;
- Work with Project Management and Project Controls teams in developing a consistent approach to the establishment of project contingency and making recommendation for contingency setting on a project basis;
- Work with the Project Management and Project Controls teams to manage and control the utilization of project contingency;
- Work with estimators to establish the estimate in a format that facilitates the easy migration into the Control Budget required at Project Sanction;
- Support the independent estimating and analysis of project changes;
- Support the establishment and management of a change management and control system;
- Support the management in decision-making based on cost projections;
- Aid in cost forecasting and suggesting of cost-reduction strategies;
- Work with Finance to ensure required project financial information is provided promptly;
- Support the attest of applications for payment and invoices received from contractors and suppliers;
-Proactive support of a safety culture where "Nobody Gets Hurt"; and
- Other cost and project control duties as required.
Qualifications:
- Experience is desired to be at a Senior or Specialist level;
- Experience in the development and setup of cost management and control processes, procedures, structures and systems;
- Experience in developing reporting systems and structures for various stakeholders ranging from Project and Contract Managers to Executives;
- Experienced in the establishment, management, and control of project budgets, including contingency management;
- Experience with a variety of contract types;
- The ability to read, interpret, and understand contracts, technical documentation, and specifications to aid in forecasting;
- Strong, proven analytical skills and attention to detail;
- Experience in leading project cost review meetings;
- Knowledge and understanding of industry best practices in cost management, forecasting, and reporting, including knowledge of AACE practices in cost management;
- Strong understanding of Earned Value Analysis;
- Excellent interpersonal skills and the ability to mentor others;
- A strong safety, inclusion, and continuous improvement mindset;
- Ability to work independently;
- Expert knowledge of capital cost estimating techniques, in particular, preparation of Owner's Class 3 cost estimates in support of Project Sanction recommendations;
- Field experience on hydropower and large infrastructure projects, including large earth and concrete works, is considered an asset;
- Up to date on the latest construction techniques and industry trends concerning labour, equipment, and material escalation;
- Detailed knowledge of principles of quantity takeoffs using engineering drawings and data;
- Knowledge of construction planning and scheduling, including productivity calculations;
- Experience in data, operational, and financial analysis; and
- Knowledge of accounting processes and software.