The posting
Title:
Cost Controls Manager
At KBR, We Deliver.
KBR ISA (Integrated Solutions Americas) delivers integrated, end-to-end engineering, procurement, and construction management services to the refining, LNG, midstream, chemicals, petrochemicals, oil and gas, power, and industrial infrastructure sectors. Our focus spans proprietary technology, consulting, and energy transition to complete delivery of major capital projects and programs.
KBR is seeking a Cost Controls Manager who will provide independent, client-side cost governance and assurance across the project lifecycle, from FEL/FEED through engineering, procurement, construction, commissioning, and closeout. The role oversees contractor cost performance, validates the credibility of budgets and forecasts, and gives project leadership an objective view of cost exposure, trends, changes, risks, and corrective actions.
Functional job responsibilities will include but are not limited to:
Cost Governance & Baseline Assurance
- Define and administer the client’s cost control requirements, coding structures, control accounts, reporting calendar, and governance procedures.
- Review and challenge contractor cost baselines, estimates, cash flow, commitment plans, contingency, escalation, and reconciliation to approved scope and the project WBS.
- Provide evidence-based recommendations to the client on baseline acceptance, budget transfers, use of contingency, and forecast changes.
- Maintain traceability between approved scope, budget, commitments, actuals, accruals, changes, risks, and forecast outcomes.
Contractor Oversight, Forecasting & Reporting
- Validate contractor cost reports, commitments, accruals, value of work done, invoices, and forecasts against source evidence and contract requirements.
- Develop an independent PMC Estimate at Completion and Cost to Complete, clearly distinguishing the contractor position from the PMC assessment.
- Analyze variances, trends, productivity, quantities, procurement status, currency, escalation, and schedule impacts to identify emerging cost exposure.
- Provide concise weekly and monthly insights, including decision requirements, prioritized actions, and credible mitigation options.
Change, Risk & Commercial Support
- Oversee the cost elements of change control from early trend identification through assessment, approval, and incorporation into the control baseline.
- Review contractor change estimates, variations, claims, and commercial submissions for scope completeness, quantity basis, rates, productivity, schedule linkage, and risk allowance.
- Integrate quantitative and qualitative risk information with contingency forecasting and report risk drawdown versus contingency consumption.
- Support tender evaluations, contract exhibits, payment milestones, audits, and commercial negotiations with objective cost analysis.
Systems, Data & PMC Leadership
- Assure data integrity and reconciliation across cost systems, ERP, procurement, schedule, progress, change, risk, and Power BI reporting.
- Lead the PMC cost controls team, set review priorities, assign package ownership, and maintain clear escalation protocols.
- Act as the principal cost interface with the client, contractors, project management, commercial, finance, engineering, procurement, construction, and commissioning.
- Drive consistent procedures, lessons learned, benchmarking, and continuous improvement across the project or capital portfolio.
Required Education, Experience, & Skills:
- Bachelor’s degree in Engineering, Construction Management, Quantity Surveying, Finance, Business, or a related discipline; equivalent relevant experience may be considered.
- 12+ years of cost engineering or project controls experience on major EPC/EPCM capital projects, including 5+ years in a lead or management role.
- Demonstrated PMC, owner’s team, consultant, or independent assurance experience overseeing contractor cost performance and advising senior project leadership.
- Strong command of budgeting, commitments, accruals, forecasting, EAC, cash flow, contingency, change control, earned value, and variance analysis.
- Ability to challenge contractor positions constructively, document independent recommendations, and communicate clearly with client and commercial stakeholders.
- Advanced Excel capability and practical experience with Power BI and integrated cost/ERP systems.
Preferred Education & Skills:
- Professional credential such as AACE CCP/CEP, PMP, RICS, or equivalent.
- Experience with EcoSys, SAP, Oracle, Microsoft Dynamics, or comparable ERP/PPM platforms.
- Experience in oil and gas, LNG, chemicals, power, energy transition, mining and minerals, life sciences, advanced manufacturing, or infrastructure.
- Experience supporting claims avoidance, quantum assessment, JV governance, lender assurance, or independent project reviews.
KBR Benefits
KBR offers a selection of competitive lifestyle benefits which could include 401K plan with company match, medical, dental, vision, life insurance, AD&D, flexible spending account, disability, paid time off, or flexible work schedule. We support career advancement through professional training and development.
Click here to learn more: KBR Benefits
Belong, Connect and Grow at KBR
At KBR, we are passionate about our people and our Zero Harm culture. These inform all that we do and are at the heart of our commitment to, and ongoing journey toward being a People First company. That commitment is central to our team of team’s philosophy and fosters an environment where everyone can Belong, Connect and Grow. We Deliver – Together.
KBR is an equal opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, disability, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, age, national origin, veteran status, genetic information, union status and/or beliefs, or any other characteristic protected by federal, state, or local law.
