Associate / Project Director - Project Controls Analytics

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Overview

Our award-winning AECOM Controls Team, within the Infrastructure & PMO Operating Unit, is a trusted partner to both public and private sector clients across the UK and globally. We lead in delivering Controls Analytics solutions across Cost, Risk, Planning, and Performance Controls, supporting large-scale infrastructure and capital projects. By combining advanced analytics with best-in-class project controls, our team enables clients to make informed, data-led decisions that drive the success of their assets and investments.

Responsibilities

• Lead the design, implementation, and governance of controls analytics solutions on complex infrastructure projects, providing strategic oversight and operational leadership to manage risks, costs, and decision-making.
• Lead the development and execution of a comprehensive controls analytics and back office strategy across large-scale projects, either standalone or as part of a PMO, delivering insights to improve complex project and programme performance.
• Direct and oversee analytics initiatives across multiple project dimensions, including cost, schedule, risk, benefits realisation, change control and commercial management, driving client maturity and alignment with objectives and industry best practices.
• Act as the primary trusted advisor to executive-level stakeholders on complex PMO and project controls strategies, analytics insights, and value-added recommendations.
• Define and implement governance structures and compliance frameworks to ensure controls analytics are applied consistently across all relevant functions in projects, programmes and PMOs, adhering to industry standards and regulatory guidelines.
• Regularly review and refine controls analytics methodologies to stay at the forefront of industry advancements and client requirements.
• Direct the creation and integration of advanced data analytics models to drive predictive project insights, programme benefits and strategic portfolio decisions.
• Oversee the design of analytics dashboards and reporting tools, ensuring timely, actionable leading insights for internal teams and clients.
• Develop KPIs and analytics metrics to track progress, enable proactive interventions and drive continuous improvement.
• Lead the integration of risk analytics into project controls, enabling proactive risk and opportunity management, mitigation, tracking, and informed decision-making.
• Collaborate with risk and project teams to quantify risk impacts, establish contingency plans, and implement corrective actions.
• Lead Change Management analytics and scenario modelling integrated with PMO functions to enable appropriate governance and tracking of change performance during implementation at programme and portfolio levels.
• Foster high-trust relationships with client executives and project stakeholders to support business development and translate complex analytics insights into actionable strategies.
• Facilitate workshops and knowledge-sharing sessions to promote understanding of controls analytics across P3 and PMO levels.
• Serve as the point of escalation for project controls issues, providing expert guidance to resolve high-impact challenges.
• Build and mentor a high-performing team of controls analytics professionals, guiding development and fostering a consultancy mindset.
• Establish career paths, performance standards, and growth opportunities to ensure a resilient talent pipeline aligned with the team strategy.
• Promote cross-functional collaboration within IPC and across client teams to drive cohesion and shared success.
• Support business development, opportunity management, capability development, and stakeholder engagement, contributing to the growth and refinement of the controls analytics team.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in data science, Engineering, Finance, Project Management, or a related discipline. A master’s degree is preferred.
• Relevant professional certifications, such as AACE, PMI-PMP, MSP Practitioner, APM, or RICS, are highly desirable.
• Minimum of 10-15 years’ of experience in project, programme and PMO delivery and controls, or analytics leadership roles within infrastructure, construction, or energy sectors.
• Consultancy experience, ideally with a tier one consultancy.
• Demonstrated success in leading project controls and analytics initiatives for multiple high-value, complex projects and programmes.
• Experience in building and managing multidisciplinary teams, with a record of delivering data-driven solutions at the executive level.

Key Skills & Competencies

• Leadership & Strategic Vision: Demonstrated ability to proactively provide direction, inspire teams, and influence senior stakeholders with a clear vision for controls analytics in P3 and PMO management.
• Analytical Expertise & Technical Acumen: Exceptional skill in complex data analysis, including predictive modelling, cost forecasting, and trend identification.
• Advanced proficiency in controls software (Power BI, PRISM, Primavera, Aconex) and data manipulation tools (Python, SQL).
• Project Controls Mastery: Deep understanding of project controls disciplines, including cost management, schedule performance, risk management, and Earned Value Management (EVM).
• Skilled in designing integrated controls frameworks, aligning CBS with WBS and OBS.
• Communication & Stakeholder Engagement: Proven ability to engage with executive stakeholders and communicate complex analytics insights in an accessible, strategic manner.
• Strong presentation and negotiation skills for influencing senior management and clients.

Additional Information

About AECOM: AECOM is the world’s trusted infrastructure consulting firm, delivering professional services throughout the project lifecycle—from advisory, planning, design and engineering to program and construction management. Our teams are driven by a common purpose to deliver a better world through our technical and digital expertise, a culture of equity, diversity and inclusion, and a commitment to environmental, social and governance priorities. AECOM is a Fortune 500 firm.

Flexibility: We offer hybrid work options to support your best work, whether in an office, remote location, or client site. We welcome everyone to bring their whole selves to work and are committed to diversity and inclusion.

EEO & Disability Confident: All your information will be kept confidential according to EEO guidelines. We are a Disability Confident Employer and will offer an interview to applicants with a disability or long-term condition who meet the minimum criteria. ReasonableAccommodations@aecom.com