Cost Controls Manager

About the Positions
We’re seeking Cost Controls Managers to support large, heavy-civil infrastructure programs—including highways, roads, bridges, transit (including rail and bus), and airport projects delivered through both traditional and alternative methods. These roles require close collaboration with project teams to monitor financial performance, maintain budget discipline, and drive cost efficiency—ultimately supporting the on-time, on-budget delivery of complex infrastructure projects.
This posting is for future roles and not for a specific opportunity that is available right now. We accept applications and conduct interviews in advance of upcoming hiring needs. When a candidate is selected, their profile is activated in our talent pool for this specialty area. We notify our talent pool candidates first whenever we have a project need . This posting targets Sacramento, CA.
Responsibilities may include, but are not limited to, the following:

Develop and maintain integrated cost-management plans—budget baselines, work-package structures, coding standards, and change-control workflows.
Produce rolling forecasts, cash-flow curves, and earned-value metrics; highlight variances and recommend corrective actions.
Coordinate with project controls, scheduling, estimating, and legal teams to quantify impacts, ensure alignment among cost, schedule, and risk registers, and recommend commercial risk mitigation actions.
Lead monthly cost reviews with owner leadership, prepping dashboards, trend analyses, and scenario models.
Validate contractor cost reports, payment applications, and contingency drawdowns against contract requirements and progress data.
Support funding agency reporting (e.g., FTA, FRA, FAA, etc.) and external audits; ensure audit trails meet federal and state compliance standards.
Champion continuous improvement by standardizing templates, automating data pipelines, and mentoring project staff in cost-control best practices.
Contribute to claims defense and forensic analyses by supplying time-phased cost data and change order histories.
Attributes

Sharp analytical thinker who turns raw data into concise, persuasive narratives for executive audiences.
Detail-oriented guardian of fiscal discipline who sees the “big picture” of scope, schedule, and commercial risk.
Collaborative, low-ego communicator who is comfortable guiding multidiscipline teams.
Adaptable mindset suited to fast-moving, politically visible mega projects.
Minimum Qualifications

Bachelor’s degree in engineering, construction management, finance, business, or related field, or equivalent combination of education and experience.
10+ years of hands-on cost management or program controls experience on large (>$500M), complex, heavy-civil infrastructure projects.
Experience with alternative delivery methods (e.g., DB, CM/GC, P3) and associated risk-allocation mechanisms.
Demonstrated success building and managing detailed budgets, change-order logs, and cost forecasts.
Proficiency in financial modeling and reporting.
Experience interfacing with industry standard scheduling systems, cost systems, and contract platforms to ensure alignment (e.g., Primavera P6, PMWeb, Prism, Aconex, Unifier, e-Builder, etc.).
Proficiency with Microsoft Office Suite/Office 365 (e.g., Outlook, Teams, Word, PowerPoint, etc.).
Preferred Qualifications

Master’s degree in engineering, construction management, finance, or business.
Active professional certifications such as CCM (CMAA), MRICS/FRICS (RICS), PMP (PMI), or CCA (AACE).
Experience with large (>$500M), complex, heavy-civil highways, roads, bridges, transit (including rail and bus), and/or airport projects.
Prior experience overseeing cost controls on programs exceeding $1 billion.
Proficiency with Microsoft Power BI, Oracle Cloud Analytics, or other dashboard KPI reporting software.
Compensation Details
Expected Salary: $120k-$190k/year ($57-$91/hour). Luster provides the salary range that the company in good faith believes it might offer for this position based on the successful candidate’s level of experience, knowledge, skills, abilities, education, certifications, licenses, geographic location, etc. Luster reserves the right to ultimately pay more or less than the posted range depending on circumstances not related to any status protected by local, state, and/or federal law.
Just LOOK at the Benefits We Offer!

Unlimited flexible time off
Paid holidays
Paid parental leave
Health, dental, and vision insurance
Flexible spending accounts (healthcare and dependent or elder care)
Long-term disability insurance
Short-term disability insurance
Life insurance and accidental death and dismemberment
401(k) plan with guaranteed employer contribution
Formal career planning and development program
$2,500 annually toward professional development
Wellness program with monthly wellness stipend
Company cell phone or cell phone plan reimbursement
Free personalized meal planning and nutrition support with a registered dietitian
Free personal financial planning services
Employee assistance program
Employee discounts
Employee referral bonus
Specific plan details and coverage for each benefit noted above will be provided upon offer.
Luster is committed to creating an inclusive work environment with a diverse workforce. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to criminal history, race, color, religion, gender, gender identity or expression, sexual orientation, national origin, genetics, disability, age, or veteran status. This employer participates in E-Verify. The employer will provide the Social Security Administration (SSA) and, if necessary, the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) with information from each new employee's I-9 to confirm work authorization.
All positions may be subject to a background check and drug test once a conditional offer of employment is made for any convictions directly related to its duties and responsibilities, in accordance with all applicable local, state, and/or federal regulations.
This job description is meant to describe the general nature and level of work being performed; it is not intended to be construed as an exhaustive list of all responsibilities, duties and skills required for the position.
Luster does not accept unsolicited resumes. In the absence of a signed agreement, Luster will not consider or agree to payment of any kind. Any unsolicited resumes presented to Luster personnel, including those submitted to Luster hiring managers, are deemed to be the property of Luster.
Please email hiring@luster.com for accommodations necessary to complete the application process.