Project Controller III
About The Position
The Project Controller is responsible for driving financial and schedule performance across government contracts. This role partners closely with Project Managers, Contracts, and Executive Leadership to ensure projects are delivered on time, within budget, and with maximum profitability, while maintaining strict compliance with federal regulations and internal controls. The ideal candidate is analytical, assertive, and proactive, with a strong ability to identify risks early, enforce discipline, and hold project teams accountable to financial and schedule commitments. This role will work on-site in our Reston, VA headquarters on a hybrid schedule.
Requirements
- Bachelor’s degree in Finance, Accounting, Business, or a related field.
- 10+ years of project control or financial management experience in government contracting. An advanced degree may lower the required years of experience needed.
- Hands-on experience using Workday Adaptive Planning for project forecasting and financial modeling.
- Strong knowledge of FAR/DFARS, cost-reimbursable, T&M, and fixed-price contracts.
- Proven ability to manage multiple projects with competing priorities.
- Advanced Excel skills; experience with project accounting and ERP systems.
- Demonstrated ability to challenge assumptions, enforce discipline, and drive results.
- Excellent communication skills with the confidence to work with senior leadership.
Nice To Haves
- Experience with earned value management (EVM).
- Experience supporting federal environmental, engineering, or professional services contracts.
- Prior involvement in DCAA/DCMA audits.
Responsibilities
- Own project financial performance from award through closeout, with full accountability for cost, revenue, and margin outcomes.
- Develop, maintain, and aggressively manage project budgets, forecasts, and estimates at completion (EACs) using Workday Adaptive Planning.
- Lead rolling forecasts and reforecast cycles in Workday Adaptive, ensuring alignment between project-level assumptions and corporate financial targets.
- Identify cost overruns, margin erosion, and funding risks early; drive corrective actions immediately.
- Perform detailed variance analysis (cost, revenue, labor, subcontractors, ODCs) and clearly communicate impacts to leadership.
- Enforce disciplined financial controls across projects, including charge codes, labor management, and accruals.
- Support indirect rate management and evaluate impacts of rate changes on project performance.
- Ensure accurate and timely revenue recognition, and cash flow in accordance with contract terms.
- Prepare financial reports and dashboards from Workday Adaptive and ERP systems with clear, actionable insights.
- Partner with Project Managers to develop and maintain realistic but strategic project schedules.
- Monitor schedule performance and resource utilization to identify slippage and productivity issues.
- Analyze schedule impacts to cost and funding; proactively recommend mitigation strategies.
- Support earned value management (EVM) and other performance measurement techniques, as applicable.
- Hold project teams accountable to schedule milestones and financial commitments.
- Ensure compliance with FAR, DFARS, contract terms, and company policies.
- Support audits (e.g., DCAA, DCMA) by maintaining accurate documentation and financial records.
- Assist with transition planning from bid to execution.
- Support contract modifications, funding changes, and closeout activities.
- Support development of risk and fee profiles.
- Assist Project Manager with annual budget preparation and periodic forecast updates. Interface with Project Managers in compiling revenue and direct cost projections for projects.
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What This Job Offers
Job Type
Full-time
Career Level
Mid Level
