Project Cost Control Specialist

Project Cost Control Specialist
Tampa, FL

System One is seeking a Project Cost Control Specialist in Tampa, FL to support large-scale capital projects on behalf of the project owner. This role is heavily focused on cost management and will play a critical part in establishing, maintaining, and enforcing effective project control processes. The ideal candidate will bring strong experience in cost control, WBS / CBS alignment, earned value management, and change management, and must be comfortable stepping in to build, correct, and directly manage project controls processes when contractor capabilities are insufficient. This is not a passive oversight role — it requires active ownership and execution.

This is an opportunity to play a critical role in safeguarding project financial performance from the owner’s perspective. You will have direct impact on cost governance, contractor accountability, and overall project success. If you thrive in hands-on cost control environments and are comfortable stepping in to build and enforce strong project control processes, we encourage you to apply.

Important Details:

• 12-months contract opportunity

• Pay rate range: $100 - $120/hr. Salary will be commensurate with experience.

• Work schedule: Monday through Friday, standard business hours

• Work location: Onsite in Tampa Bay, FL

• Start date: As soon as possible

• Job offer will be contingent on drug screen and background check

Key Responsibilities

• Cost Control & Financial Oversight

  • Develop and maintain integrated Work Breakdown Structure (WBS) and Cost Breakdown Structure (CBS) alignment to ensure cost integrity across all project phases.

  • Lead account-level budgeting, including baseline development and control account management.

  • Track and analyze Actuals vs. Earned vs. Forecast (EVM-based performance measurement).

  • Develop and maintain detailed cost reports, cash flow projections, and Estimate at Completion (EAC) updates.

  • Monitor cost performance indices (CPI), identify variances, and recommend corrective actions.

  • Validate contractor cost submissions, invoices, and supporting documentation for accuracy and compliance.

  • Perform independent cost analysis to verify contractor forecasts and productivity assumptions.

  • Ensure cost coding structures align with owner financial systems and reporting requirements.

• Change Management & Cost Control Governance

  • Administer and enforce a structured change management and change control process.

  • Evaluate cost impacts of proposed changes, claims, and scope adjustments.

  • Maintain change logs, cost exposure tracking, and contingency management reporting.

  • Coordinate with engineering, construction, and procurement teams to ensure cost impacts are properly assessed and documented.

  • Support negotiation of change orders with fact-based cost analysis.

• Process Improvement & Contractor Oversight

  • Establish and enforce standardized project controls procedures where contractor systems are underdeveloped.

  • Provide hands-on guidance to contractor teams to improve cost tracking, reporting, and forecasting accuracy.

  • Audit contractor project controls processes and recommend corrective measures.

  • Build reporting tools and dashboards to enhance cost visibility for executive stakeholders.

• Reporting & Stakeholder Communication

  • Prepare executive-level cost reports and performance summaries.

  • Present cost trends, risks, and mitigation strategies to project leadership.

  • Support internal and external audits with full cost transparency and documentation.

Required Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Engineering, Construction Management, Finance, or related field.

• 5+ years of project controls experience with strong emphasis in cost control on capital or industrial projects.

• Demonstrated experience aligning WBS and CBS structures.

• Strong working knowledge of Earned Value Management (EVM) principles.

• Experience with account-level budgeting, cost forecasting, and variance analysis.

• Proven experience managing change control processes on complex projects.

• Ability to independently develop cost tracking tools when systems are insufficient.

• Advanced proficiency in Excel (pivot tables, macros preferred) and cost management software (Primavera P6, EcoSys, SAP, or similar).

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience working directly for an owner organization or as an Owner’s Representative.

• Experience correcting or improving contractor project controls processes.

• Exposure to EPC or industrial construction environments.

• Professional certifications such as AACE (CCP), PMP, or similar.

Key Competencies

• Strong financial and analytical acumen

• Detail-oriented with high data integrity standards

• Assertive and confident in contractor-facing environments

• Process-driven with ability to build structure from ambiguity

• Strong written and verbal communication skills

System One, and its subsidiaries including Joulé, ALTA IT Services, and Mountain Ltd., are leaders in delivering outsourced services and workforce solutions across North America. We help clients get work done more efficiently and economically, without compromising quality. System One not only serves as a valued partner for our clients, but we offer eligible employees health and welfare benefits coverage options including medical, dental, vision, spending accounts, life insurance, voluntary plans, as well as participation in a 401(k) plan.

System One is an Equal Opportunity Employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex (including pregnancy, childbirth, or related medical conditions), sexual orientation, gender identity, age, national origin, disability, family care or medical leave status, genetic information, veteran status, marital status, or any other characteristic protected by applicable federal, state, or local law.

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