Project Controls Manager

Project Controls Manager

Are you a Project Control Manager, with previous experience in leading the controls activities of large complex projects up to $250MM in value?

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The Project Controls Manager will be responsible for managing the project controls co-ordination of engineering design, delivery and execution of large scale, complex projects from Pre-FEED study development through to the commissioning of the facility for all of Engineering and Construction (H2) North America organization.   Within this role you’ll be a master in servant, empathetic leadership, as you’ll be required to indirectly lead and co-ordinate a multi-skilled, multi discipline team from engineering design, support the execution team through governance and programme management, as well as co-ordinating with the commercial team on contractual matters.

Additionally, as Project Controls Manager you’ll be responsible for managing & leading the project controls team across multiple projects to help manage schedule, budget and documentation for H2 projects.  This includes both greenfield and brownfield projects up to $250MM in value.

This position reports to the Engineering Services Manager.

Dimensions:

• Will be required to interact with Project Steerco’s providing project updates when appropriate.
• Role mainly operates in Horizon 2, Engineering and Construction, however, will support and co-ordinate across all Horizons when necessary. The main focus is on strategic capital.
• Oversight, responsibility and reporting of project safety, budget and schedule including metrics for earned value, for all assigned H2 NA projects.
• Will be responsible for matrixed “dotted line” reports across the H2 North American project controls group.
• Must ensure all projects follow Drax project methodology as well as best industry practices for project controls. Identify any shortcomings in Drax processes and procedures and bring solution opportunities to management.
• Working with a range of contracts from Feasibility Studies, to Self-performed Construction through to full EPC.
• Responsible for developing and maintaining a common project control methodology and use of proportionally appropriate project control tools ensuring streamlined governance of across all US projects.
• Creates and maintains master schedule for all H2 activities to assist in managing resource loading across the US H2 team.
• Accountable for project document control libraries and handover of project documentation to the stakeholders throughout and at the end of projects.
• Work with UK team to ensure consistent approach within Drax Capital Projects.
• Support Capital Engineering Manager with master planning activities for the US Capital Projects team – Interfacing all Horizon plans into one Master Document for strategic business planning.

Key Accountabilities:

As Project Controls Manager, you’ll be required to:

• Provide subject matter consulting expertise and advice across the engineering and capital projects portfolio.
• Overall responsibility for the recording and reporting of project governance through delivery of projects achieving safety, scope, cost, schedule and business benefit targets.
• Develop Project Plans in co-ordination with engineering leads and supported by the Capital Projects Planning team, from design through to execution, identifying risks and opportunities where applicable.
• Ensure cost estimates are sought and cost control measures are implemented and monitored effectively.  
• Provide project controls management leadership across several technology areas ensuring the current and future requirements of Drax Group. A key focus must be to ensure that Capital Projects serve the needs of its current and future customers.
• Actively support the development of existing and new projects for the Drax Group within Horizon 2.
• Provide project controls support through negotiation of Engineering, Vendor supply equipment & construction contracts.
• Develop, implement, and participate in continuous improvement for project execution protocols and tools for cost, schedule, and document control.
• Ensure that our Finance Business Partners are provided with appropriate information to develop financial models to help track project health.
• To support creation and manage Development and Construction budgets.
• Through coaching, mentoring and sharing your experience, you’ll support the development of junior project  team colleagues helping them achieve their potential.
• Actively promote a proactive safety culture, be role models throughout the project lifecycle across the Group.
• Develop a high-performance team, ensuring flawless integration of project controls disciplines and functions throughout the project lifecycle.
• Foster and enhance owner relationships with subcontractors and vendors.

Knowledge, Skills and Experience required:

• Degree level education or technical certificate (Project Management, Commercial, Construction or other relevant discipline).
• Extensive, relevant experience within Engineering/Construction industry ideally leading project controls teams in the EPC or major engineering design/installation projects.
• Proven track record of leading and managing large complex projects control programs.
• Demonstrable experience of accountability for a complex, multi contract, multi discipline project(s) in a lead EPC role or owner role.
• On site construction experience desirable.
• A brilliant Communicator – you’ve got highly developed communication and interpersonal skills with an ability to communicate at all levels across the organization.
• Ability to meet challenging targets and with a flexible approach to working patterns to ensure targets/deadlines are achieved.
• Ability to motivate, challenge and inspire individuals through to deliver high performance whilst being an empathetic leader.
• A skilled Change Agent with the ability to successfully manage & resolve conflicts when they arise.
• Ability to plan and manage a portfolio of jobs.
• Ability to work effectively and flexibly as a member of a team and across teams.
• Commercially astute – you’ll understand the environment in which we operate meaning you’ll be able to ensure that our commercial and legal risks are mitigated through for example the creation and execution of appropriate terms and conditions.
• Positive approach to change and contributes to the culture of continuous improvement.
• You can see the big picture meaning you can recognize and take advantage of potential business opportunities.
• You’re highly skilled in Stakeholder Management meaning you’ve got the skills to recognize and build key relationships, proactively influencing consultants, contractors, engineering firms and technology partners.  
• Proficient understanding and experience of Safety and Environmental legislation, practices and policies and Contract Management

Special Features:

• Will be required to undergo and pass drug/alcohol testing and background checks (internally and for clients where applicable).
• Valid driver’s license and passport
• Right to work in main base location
• Travel as required to Drax locations as well as to supplier/partner locations, this could be globally pending projects. Travel could be roughly 25% of time and 4 weeks or more pending project needs.
• Management of geographically spread internal and external team with meetings often held virtual.

Measures of Success:

• Successful tracking and reporting for project progression from Pre-FEED to commissioning.
• Successful turnover packages at each stage gate, delivered to project and/or operations teams during and after each project.
• High levels of positive engagement with all stakeholders (internal/external) in relevant project(s).

How You Need to Act:

Embodies the Drax Values and Behaviors and is a role model for them in all actions:

We care about what matters – we help each other achieve the things that are important to each of us

We’re a can-do kind of place – we’re empowered and encouraged to make informed decisions, take action and do the right thing

We see things differently – we share inspiration and insight right across Drax, and search for new ideas and ways of working

We listen carefully – we make sure that people feel genuinely heard, acknowledged and that what they say matters

We do what we say we’ll do – we’re proactive, committed and reliable –and trust others to be the same