Manager, Project Controls - Cost

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SUMMARY OF DUTIES:

This position is for the major capital improvement projects included in the Frederick Douglass Tunnel (FDT) (B&P Tunnel Replacement) Program that will modernize and transform a four-mile section of the Northeast Corridor. It includes two new high-capacity tubes for electrified passenger trains, new roadway and railroad bridges, new rail systems and track, and a new ADA-accessible West Baltimore MARC station.

FDT Package A Tunnels scope includes 2ea approximately 2 mile long tunnels to be constructed via TBM, and other major civil work at 4 locations including: Support of Excavation (SOE), excavation and concrete structures for shaft facilities (south portal / vent, intermediate vent, north vent, north portal); ground improvements; coordination with tunneling under Amtrak’s corridor and MTA light rail and subway; a 800’ long SEM plenum tunnel; drill and blasting excavations; instrumentation and monitoring; and coordination with the public and adjacent contractors.

Under minimal supervision from the Senior Project Controls Manager, the Mgr Project Controls - Cost applies cost measurement tools, data analytics, progress measurement tools, systems and work processes to drive effective cost monitoring and control, project progress measurement, and prepare associated reporting. Individuals in this role will also develop related cost and resource performance and forecast reports and manage portfolio-wide processes in close collaboration with the FDT Project Controls Team, and Package A Construction Managers, Director and Sr Director. The position will lead and supervise staff performing cost control activities and project business analysis for this major Construction Package A. This may include drafting and/or updating of department policies or procedures, supporting continuous improvement efforts, monitoring and evaluating staff performance, providing feedback, coaching, and/or mentoring, and performing additional duties as assigned.

The PCMC will work closely with the Package A scheduler to measurement progress and cost. They will collaborate on project dashboards, cost and resource performance reports, change logs and risk registers.

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS:

• Ensures compliance with Amtrak project management standards and policies, third-party requirements, industry best practices, or project-specific requirements in the delivery of project control functions.
• Performs project controls tasks in close coordination with project management team and ensures assigned cost control and project business analysis staff do the same.
• Works with Project management and Project Controls team to develop baseline budgets, monthly forecasts, and periodic reporting using standard tools.
• Supports project management team in the evaluation and improvement of FDT program-wide processes, reporting, planning, and communications.
• Collects ongoing progress or performance data such as installed quantities, labor, costs, and other measures from various systems or from project management team as applicable.
• Integrates external cost data such as information from vendors, contractors, and external entities as necessary to enable accurate performance forecasting and reporting.
• Supports the development of the Capital Construction yearly plan in producing new and updated cost baselines, estimates, and budgets while ensuring cost data integrity and consistency, alignment with 5-year plan, and compliance with delivery requirements and deadlines.
• Implement and monitor project performance indicators (KPIs), analyze data, and identify trends using reports, charts, tables, dashboards, or other artifacts assessing project or portfolio performance to support management decisions.
• Review and analyze contractor cost spend plans and extend the analysis to the integrated FDT program forecast.
• Provides subject matter expertise to senior management on construction and/or engineering cost management, earned value management, tools and techniques, and best industry practices.
• Assures quality and timeliness of recurring and ad-hoc team deliverables, including but not limited to estimates, forecasts, reports, analyses, and source data.
• Monitors, trains, and mentors Project Controls Specialists and Project Business Analysts with cost management, project controls responsibilities, and portfolio best practices.
• Manages project or portfolio controls data in EPPM or other department-approved systems and tools such as Excel or Primavera P6.
• Develops processes and templates to support project or portfolio cost control mechanisms in alignment with department objectives and enterprise standards.
• Develops process and tools to support baseline budget planning, change management, and project pipeline planning decisions.
• Supports or leads efforts to develop and implement initiatives for improvement of business processes and tools, in coordination with other internal departments.
• Supports development, preparation, and maintenance of department policies and procedures on cost control, cost estimating, resource management, and earned value management, incorporating current best practices used in the construction and transportation industries.
• Ensures integration of cost engineering practices and methods, and supports development of cost engineering policies, procedures, and performance metrics.
• Leads and supervises direct reports in delivering and executing the functions listed above.
• Sets goals and targets for assigned staff in support of department and company strategic objectives. Assesses and monitors staff workload, administrative and support tools and systems, and internal reporting relationships; identifies opportunities for improvement; directs and implements changes.
• Selects, trains, motivates, and evaluates assigned personnel; provides or coordinates staff training; works with employees to correct deficiencies; implements discipline and termination procedures.
• May manage consulting contracts or task orders and/or supervise consultant staff.
• Collaborate on project dashboards, cost and resource performance reports, change logs and risk registers.
• Performs other related duties.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS:

• Bachelor's Degree in Construction Management, Engineering, Science, or a related field.

MINIMUM KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS, AND ABILITIES:

• Must have authorization to work in the United States.
• A combination of education and/or experience that provides the required knowledge, skills, and abilities to perform the essential functions of the position.
• Experience leading, motivating, selecting, supervising, training, and evaluating subordinate staff.
• Understanding of principles and practices of construction contract administration, contracting methods and types; standard conditions of construction and engineering contracts (AIA, EJCDC).
• Familiarity with business processes, techniques, and procedures related to project cost engineering / cost management and cost estimation in large and/or complex capital construction projects.
• Expert knowledge of planning and forecasting tools, methods, techniques, standards, and best practices, including resource management, progress measurement, and earned value management for construction or engineering projects.
• Experience in preparing written technical reports, presentations, or analyses.
• Understanding of project financial reporting, forecasting, and analysis and monitoring capital project / program / portfolio funding and/or budget.
• Construction project performance metrics, performance analysis, dashboards, and progress reports.
• Ability to research, analyze, evaluate performance gaps, and implement new business processes, tools, methods, and techniques to improve performance or output.
• Experience with establishing standard practices and business processes pertaining to project controls function, including drafting or updating of technical specifications, procedures, or policies.
• Ability to perform staff training on the job or by preparation and delivery of group instructional sessions.
• Ability to research, analyze, and apply contracts, agreements, policies, laws, rules, and regulations to ensure compliance at all levels within areas of responsibility.
• Advanced Excel user skills.
• Intermediate to advanced PowerPoint skills.
• Skill in communicating complex information clearly and concisely, both orally and in writing across all levels.
• Effectiveness working diplomatically across teams with varying objectives.
• Strong focus on collaboration, team building, and customer service.
• Must have excellent oral and written communication skills.

PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS:

• Experience performing or leading project controls for mid ($50M+) to large ($500M+) capital construction projects, programs, and/or portfolios.
• Five (5) years direct hands-on experience as a cost analyst or cost estimator, developing and maintaining multi-discipline budgets and forecasts for large complex construction or engineering projects.
• Three (3) years of relevant supervisory-level experience in large complex capital construction project cost control.
• Knowledge of principles and practices of construction project management through all phases of the construction project lifecycle.
• Capital construction controls experience in the rail industry, transportation industry, or similar.
• Hands-on experience with data analysis and executive reporting.
• Experience on a large infrastructure construction project. Tunneling and heavy civil foundations and structures preferred.

WORK ENVIRONMENT:

• Experience implementing project control software and tools.
• Environmental Conditions:
• Office environment; exposure to computer screens.
• Physical Conditions:
• May require maintaining physical condition necessary for sitting, walking or standing for prolonged periods of time.
• Work location - The FDT Program is located in Baltimore, MD. Starting in Washington, DC.

COMMUNICATIONS AND INTERPERSONAL SKILLS:

Must have excellent oral and written communication skills.

The salary/hourly range is $113,200-$146,664. Pay is based on several factors including but not limited to education, work experience, certifications, internal equity, etc. Depending on an employee’s assigned worksite or location, Amtrak may consider a geo-pay differential to be applied to the employee’s base salary. Amtrak may offer additional incentive and pay programs to recognize and reward our employees, including a short-term incentive bonus based upon factors such as individual and company performance that is commensurate with the level of the position and/or long-term incentive plan compensation. In addition to your salary, Amtrak offers a comprehensive benefit package that includes health, dental, and vision plans; health savings accounts; wellness programs; flexible spending accounts; 401K retirement plan with employer match; life insurance; short and long term disability insurance; paid time off; back-up care; adoption assistance; surrogacy assistance; reimbursement of education expenses; Public Service Loan Forgiveness eligibility; Railroad Retirement sickness and retirement benefits; and rail pass privileges.