Director of Project Controls - KAI Design

Position Description

DIRECTOR OF Project Controls

Office Location: DFW OR STL Office

Level: 15+ Years of Experience

Department: Project Controls

Reports to: Managing Partner

Position Summary:

The Director of Project Controls will play a crucial role in ensuring the successful execution of our AEC projects by establishing and maintaining effective project control systems and processes. This leadership role requires strategic thinking, strong analytical skills, and a deep understanding of project management principles within the AEC industry. The Director of Project Controls will lead a team of professionals and collaborate with cross-functional teams to drive project efficiency, monitor performance, mitigate risks, and optimize project outcomes.

The ideal candidate will have a strong background in project management and controls, with a passion for delivering high-quality projects on time and within budget. This role will involve working closely with project managers, engineers, architects, and other team members to ensure the successful delivery of projects. The successful candidate will communicate with project managers and discipline leaders to support the inception, planning, monitoring, controlling, and closeout of projects. You will be expected to work in a hybrid work environment, collaborating with KAI team members primarily in our DFW, St Louis, and Atlanta offices.

Leadership & Management Accountability

• Drive Design and Engineering Business Unit Forecast
• Lead Resource Planning initiatives
• Engage with and contribute to Project Mobilizations
• Support PM Project Planning
• Drive Monthly Project Reviews
• Support Project Performance Analysis in all phases of Project Execution
• Engage in recovery and risk mitigation efforts when necessary
• Collaborate with PMs, Marketing and Finance
• Support Sales Initiatives
  1. Leadership & Management Accountability
• Develop, implement, and oversee project control strategies, processes, and tools that align with industry best practices and the company's project management framework.
• Lead and mentor a team of project controls professionals, providing guidance, training, and performance evaluations to ensure a high level of expertise and continuous growth within the team.
• Maintain current multiple company ERP systems (Unanet AE and Deltek ComputerEase) to ensure proper functionality and accuracy.
• Enhance ERP systems via reporting and dashboard development to add value to end users.
• Collaborate closely with project managers, architects, engineers, contractors, and other stakeholders to establish project baselines, performance metrics, and project control plans.
• Monitor project performance against key performance indicators (KPIs), budgets, schedules, and quality standards. Identify deviations and variances and develop corrective action plans as needed.
• Establish and maintain functional and timely project document control, including drawings, specifications, submittals, RFI's, RFC's, change orders, and progress reports.
• Implement risk management strategies to proactively identify and mitigate potential project risks, escalating critical issues to senior management when necessary.
• Drive continuous improvement initiatives to enhance project controls processes, increase efficiency, and ensure consistency across projects.
• Collaborate with finance and accounting teams to ensure accurate and timely financial reporting, forecasting, and billing for projects.
• Provide regular project performance updates and reports to senior leadership, highlighting key achievements, challenges, and recommendations.
• Provide resource planning forecasts for backlog and new sales.
• Participate in proposal development and bid processes by providing input on project controls requirements, estimates, and schedules.

Essential Functions

• Strong verbal and written communication skills
• Assist in the development and maintenance of project budgets
• Collaborate with project managers to define project scope, objectives, and deliverables.
• Key support to marketing and business development team members across multiple offices.
• Regularly update and maintain project status reports for internal stakeholders.
• Proactively contribute to the identification and assessment of project risks.
• Assist in the development of risk mitigation strategies and contingency plans.
• Maintain accurate project documentation, including estimate to complete (ETC) and estimate at complete (EAC) reports.
• Support ad-hoc requests from Business Leaders, Marketing, Project Managers and Finance team members
• Work closely with cross-functional teams to gather project data and ensure alignment with project objectives.

Qualifications

Required Skills

• Bachelor's degree in a related field (e.g., Project Management, Business Administration, Engineering).
• 15+ years of progressive Project Management or Project Controls experience in the A/E/C industry required.
• Eagerness to learn and adapt to new and emerging technologies and methodologies.

• Strong leadership skills required.
• Strong proficiency using Microsoft Office (especially Excel) required.

• Ability to communicate effectively.
• Ability to work efficiently and remain organized.
  • Ability to maintain a strong sense of focus and confidence under tight deadlines and varying workloads.
  • Excellent time management skills and ability to multi-task, responding to changing needs and schedules.

Preferred Skills

• Experience using CRM products such as Unanet, Oracle NetSuite, or Deltek, preferred.
• PMP (Project Management Professional) License or equivalent preferred.

This summary reflects the core responsibilities of the Director of Project Controls Specialist and may evolve based on the candidate's skillset and interests.

About KAI

KAI Enterprises is a national design and build firm providing delivery-oriented building solutions with a diverse portfolio of experience, in-house multi-discipline professionals, and expertise in both design and construction delivery. Founded in 1980, KAI has grown into one of the largest minority-owned firms in the AEC industry. For more than 40 years, KAI has been instrumental in transforming communities through its expertise in residential, commercial, K-12, higher education, healthcare, science and technology, aviation, mobility, sports and entertainment, government, water and community-focused projects. KAI Enterprises is comprised of four distinct business units-KAI Design, KAI Engineering, KAI Build and KAI 360 Construction Services (KAI 360 CS). To learn more about KAI, visit kai-db.com.