Project Controls Manager

About the Role

WSP in the Middle East is seeking a Project Controls Manager for a full-time position in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. This role is central to the successful delivery of a major Roads and Highways project, encompassing comprehensive planning, scheduling, cost control, progress monitoring, risk management, and performance measurement. The Project Controls Manager will lead a dedicated team, ensuring project objectives are met through robust systems, accurate forecasting, and timely reporting to clients, the Project Director, and senior management.

Key Responsibilities

The successful candidate will be responsible for leading the project controls function, working collaboratively with various stakeholders to monitor project performance, identify potential issues, and implement corrective actions. Core responsibilities include:

• Developing, reviewing, and maintaining the master project schedule using Primavera P6.
• Establishing project control procedures, Key Performance Indicators (KPIs), and reporting systems.
• Monitoring project budgets, commitments, expenditures, and forecasts.
• Maintaining the project risk register and associated mitigation plans.
• Assessing contractor claims related to delays, disruptions, and productivity losses.
• Coordinating with client representatives, contractors, authorities, and project teams.
• Managing and mentoring planners, cost engineers, and project controls engineers.

Project Planning & Performance Monitoring

• Evaluating Contractors' baseline schedules, recovery schedules, and revised programs.
• Monitoring schedule performance, identifying critical path activities, and conducting schedule risk analysis.
• Preparing weekly and monthly progress reports, including schedule variance analysis and forecasting.
• Developing executive dashboards and performance reports for management.
• Analyzing cost trends, identifying potential overruns, and supporting commercial teams in assessing variations.

Risk, Claims & Stakeholder Coordination

• Identifying schedule, cost, and operational risks, and coordinating risk review workshops.
• Supporting the evaluation of variation orders and change requests.
• Reviewing supporting records and schedule impact analyses for claims, providing recommendations on entitlement and time impacts.
• Participating in project progress meetings and executive briefings, presenting performance updates.
• Ensuring alignment between engineering, construction, commercial, and project controls functions.

Qualifications and Experience

• Education: Bachelor's Degree in Civil Engineering, Construction Management, Engineering Management, or a related field. A Master's Degree is considered an advantage.
• Certifications: PMP, PSP (Planning & Scheduling Professional), or similar certification is preferred.
• Experience: Minimum of 15+ years of experience in project controls on major infrastructure projects.
• Industry Background: Previous experience with international engineering consultancy firms is required.

Specific Project & Regional Expertise

• Project Focus: Strong experience specifically on Roads, Highways, Expressways, Interchanges, and Transport Infrastructure projects.
• Project Value: Experience working on projects valued above SAR 500 million is desirable.
• Regional Experience: GCC/KSA project experience is highly preferred.
• Leadership: Demonstrated ability to establish project controls best practices and ensure quality deliverables.