Controller - Project Controls

Controller – Project Controls (Full-Time Contract)

Project Management Firm | Sherwood Park, Alberta

Engagement Type:
Full-Time Contract

Hours:
40 hours/week

Location:
Sherwood Park, Alberta

Reports To:
Regional Program Managers

Role Overview

IPECC Project Management is a project management firm providing professional project controls, governance, and delivery oversight for construction and infrastructure programs across the Alberta region.

We are seeking a Project Controller to support our programs with schedule control, cost control, gross margin governance, and performance reporting. This role does not manage construction execution. Instead, it ensures financial discipline, schedule integrity, and early identification of deviations across client projects managed by IPECC.

Project schedules (SCHs) are developed and maintained in Microsoft Project, while Smartsheet is used as IPECC's internal project management and controls platform. This role will work across both tools to validate performance, identify risk, and deliver clear, actionable reporting directly to Program Managers.

This is a full-time contract role for an experienced professional who can operate independently and partner effectively with project and program leadership.

Key Responsibilities
Project Controls & Scheduling

• Review and validate project schedules (SCHs) maintained in Microsoft Project
• Review schedule submissions and updates and assess deviations, slippage, and forecast impacts
• Validate reported progress against approved baselines and milestones
• Interface schedule data with Smartsheet for integrated project controls reporting
• Identify schedule-related risks impacting cost, margin, or client commitments

Project Financial Management

• Own project-level financial tracking, including:
• Direct labor (IPECC-managed resources)
• Subconsultant and vendor costs
• Project-related materials, equipment, and leases (where applicable)
• Manage and validate project AR/AP, ensuring alignment with contracts, progress claims, and billing milestones
• Monitor project cash flow and working capital
• Support accurate revenue recognition for project management services

Gross Margin Ownership

• Own project gross margin tracking and integrity across assigned programs
• Ensure consistent and accurate margin calculations based on direct project costs
• Identify margin erosion risks early and communicate impacts clearly
• Support margin forecasting and corrective action planning
• Partner with Program Managers to understand cost, productivity, and schedule drivers impacting margin

Performance Measurement (Schedule & Cost)

• Monitor and report Schedule Performance Index (SPI) and Cost Performance Index (CPI)
• Validate earned progress using Microsoft Project schedules and actual cost performance
• Identify trends and early warning indicators impacting schedule, cost, and gross margin
• Support Estimate at Completion (EAC) and rolling forecast updates
• Communicate deviations clearly to Program Managers with actionable insight

Reporting & Governance

• Gather, validate, and consolidate project data using Smartsheet
• Prepare project- and program-level financial, controls, and margin reporting
• Report directly to Program Managers within the Alberta region
• Support budgeting, forecasting, and change management processes
• Ensure consistency, accuracy, and integrity of project data across programs

Controls & Collaboration

• Act as a financial and project controls partner to Project and Program Managers
• Support the rollout and enforcement of standardized project controls processes
• Improve data quality, accountability, and transparency across projects
• Contribute to continuous improvement of project controls tools and workflows

Required Experience & Qualifications

• 7+ years of experience in project controls, construction finance, or project accounting
• Experience supporting construction or infrastructure projects from a project management, owner's rep, or consulting perspective
• Strong experience reviewing and managing schedules in Microsoft Project
• Proven responsibility for project gross margin performance
• Hands-on experience with project costing and AR/AP
• Experience supporting multi-project or program environments
• Strong understanding of construction project lifecycles and contracts
• Ability to clearly communicate cost, schedule, and margin variances to senior stakeholders
• Advanced Excel skills; experience with Smartsheet is a strong asset

Why IPECC

• Full-time contract role with autonomy and accountability
• Embedded in operations, not a back-office function
• Direct influence on program performance and margin outcomes
• Microsoft Project + Smartsheet controls environment
• Opportunity to shape and strengthen project controls within a growing PM firm