Senior Specialist, Project Controller

Technical Recruiter | Building Canada’s Largest EV Battery Plant | Powering the Future @ PowerCo Canada Our mission has started. Volkswagen Group’s largest cell factory in St. Thomas will carry out all battery activities – from processing raw materials to developing a unified Volkswagen battery to managing the European and North American gigafactories. Headquartered in Salzgitter, Germany, we are experiencing the transformation of mobility up close. Our goal is to contribute a positive impact to our global society, the environment and the economy. To reach these goals we need your POWER We are seeking a highly analytical and detail-oriented Project Manager – Costing & Budgeting to lead financial planning and cost control efforts across our battery cell factory ramp-up. This role is ideal for an Excel expert with deep expertise in financial modeling, budgeting, and data visualization. You will be responsible for building and maintaining complex financial models, forecasting project costs, and providing actionable insights to senior stakeholders. Reporting to the PMO Manager, you will collaborate across departments to ensure financial transparency, accuracy, and strategic alignment. If you thrive in spreadsheets, love turning data into decisions, and want to shape the financial backbone of a major industrial project, we want to hear from you. Responsibilities: Support the Head of Project Management and the Project Financial Steering on the roll-out of an international full-sized battery cell factory. Address problems through risk management and contingency planning and presenting solutions and/or alternatives to Head of Project Management and/or other management members Identifying opportunities to enhance PM processes and procedures to increase efficiency and effectiveness, contributing to continuous improvement initiatives within the team Provide financial planning support by developing and maintaining Excel-based project cost tracking tools, schedules, and documentation to ensure alignment with project objectives and timelines. Oversee the investment planning and financial analysis process using advanced Excel models to ensure strategic allocation of resources and cost efficiency across the project and disciplines. Assist in the implementation of best practices and standardized methodologies across project teams, promoting consistency and quality in project delivery Support project budgets and track expenses using dynamic Excel dashboards and formulas, ensuring real-time visibility and adherence to financial guidelines. Conduct financial forecasting using Excel-based scenario modeling and sensitivity analysis to support proactive planning and data-driven decision-making. Prepare high-impact PowerBI dashboards, reports and PowerPoint presentations for financial committees, translating complex data into clear insights and strategic recommendations. Provide cost management activities using Excel tools to monitor, control, and visualize project expenditures, ensuring alignment with budgetary constraints and financial targets. Develop executive-level PowerBI dashboards and reports that highlight project milestones, financial risks, and performance metrics, delivering actionable insights to decision-makers. Design and maintain Excel-based templates and financial tracking tools to support standardized and efficient project management activities. Provide regular financial performance updates to the Head of Project Management and/or CEO, using Excel-based summaries to communicate status, risks, and strategic implications. Building strong relationships with internal stakeholders and serving as a point of contact for PM-related inquiries, fostering collaboration and communication across project stakeholders Collaborate with other PM Team members to leverage cross-functional project synergies, promoting collaboration and knowledge sharing across projects and teams. Perform additional duties as assigned or relevant to the position, contributing to the overall success of the PM and organization Required Qualifications: 5+ years of experience in financial planning, budgeting, and cost management, preferably within complex industrial or project environments. Advanced proficiency in Microsoft Excel, including pivot tables, Power Query, complex formulas, conditional formatting, and VBA/macros. Strong experience in building and maintaining financial models, cost tracking tools, and automated reporting systems. Proficiency in Power BI or similar data visualization tools, with the ability to create interactive dashboards and visual reports. Project Management certification (e.g., PMP, CAPM, CSM) is highly desirable. Excellent analytical skills for forecasting, budgeting, and identifying cost‑saving opportunities using data‑driven approaches. Strategic and pragmatic thinking, with a strong commitment to achieving project objectives and delivering financial clarity. Extremely collaborative, organized, and detail-oriented, with the ability to manage multiple priorities and deliver results under tight deadlines. Highly engaging and self‑motivated, with a proactive mindset and strong ownership of financial deliverables. Ability to work in an inter‑cultural environment, demonstrating empathy and strong interpersonal communication skills. Excellent verbal and written communication skills across hierarchy and functional levels, with the ability to translate complex financial data into clear insights. Occasional travel within Ontario, as well as internationally (~10%). Ability to maintain flexible work hours to account for time zone differences with Europe, when necessary. Overtime may be required to meet ramp‑up deadlines. Preferred Qualifications: International mindset and strong interest in global work and diverse teams Experience in the automotive and/or e‑mobility industry is considered an asset. German language skills are considered an asset. Experience with ERP systems (e.g., SAP) and financial planning software is a plus. Seniority level Mid‑Senior level Employment type Full-time Job function Project Management and Finance Industries Services for Renewable Energy #J-18808-Ljbffr