Project Controls Manager (Rail) - Bid Opportunity

SYSTRA is one of the world's leading engineering and consultancy groups specialising in public transport and sustainable mobility. With over 10,300 employees, SYSTRA's mission is to design safe and sustainable transport solutions to bring people together, develop social inclusion and facilitate access to employment, education and leisure throughout the world.

For 65 years, the Group has been working alongside cities and regions to contribute to their development by creating, improving and modernising their infrastructure and transport systems, throughout the life cycle of their projects. SYSTRA is involved from the earliest stages of design through to the testing, deployment and maintenance phases. The company provides all its services in over 80 countries worldwide and generates 74% of its turnover internationally. With its new services, SYSTRA supports its clients and partners in their digital, ecological and energy transition, in order to invent the mobility of tomorrow.

Context

This requirement is for a bid opportunity only at this stage. Any engagement will be subject to successful project award and final client approval.

The Project Controls Manager will lead and manage all project controls functions across major railway and transportation infrastructure projects, ensuring effective planning, scheduling, cost control, reporting, risk management, change management, and performance monitoring. The role is critical to supporting successful project delivery in line with approved budgets, schedules, quality standards, and contractual obligations.

Missions/Main Duties

• Lead and manage the overall project controls function, including planning, scheduling, cost control, risk, change management, progress measurement, and performance reporting.

• Establish and maintain project controls procedures, systems, tools, templates, and reporting protocols in line with PMC and client requirements.

• Manage and mentor the project controls team, ensuring effective delivery across planning, cost, reporting, and risk disciplines.

• Review and monitor contractor and consultant schedules to ensure alignment with project milestones, contractual requirements, and delivery strategy.

• Analyze schedule performance, identify delays and critical path impacts, and recommend mitigation, recovery, and time impact measures where required.

• Establish and oversee cost control processes, including budget tracking, forecasting, cash flow monitoring, variance analysis, and alignment of cost with physical progress.

• Prepare and consolidate dashboards, KPIs, and project controls reports for senior management and client stakeholders.

• Lead risk and change management processes, including risk registers, impact assessments, trend monitoring, variations, and support for claims and extension of time reviews.

• Coordinate with commercial, engineering, construction, and client teams to ensure alignment on project controls matters and contract compliance.

• Ensure effective use of project controls systems, data integrity, reporting quality, and continuous improvement in controls processes and governance.

Profile/Skills

• Minimum 20 years of experience in project controls, planning, cost, and performance management on major capital projects.

• Mandatory experience in railway or major transportation infrastructure projects.

• Strong GCC experience is required.

• Saudi Arabia experience is preferred.

• Proven experience working with PMC, client-side, or major program management teams on large, complex projects.

• Demonstrated ability to manage project controls across multiple contracts and interfaces.

• Bachelor’s degree in Engineering, Construction Management, Project Management, or related field is required.

• Master’s degree is preferred.

• PMP, PMI-SP, AACE, RICS, or equivalent professional certification is desirable.

• Strong knowledge of project controls principles, scheduling techniques, cost control systems, and risk management practices.

• Proficiency in Primavera P6 and strong familiarity with cost and reporting tools.

• Strong understanding of EPC, design-build, and FIDIC-based contract environments.

• Ability to analyze complex data and provide strategic recommendations to project leadership.

• Strong leadership and team management capability.

• Excellent stakeholder management and communication skills.

• Ability to work in a high-profile, multicultural, and fast-paced delivery environment.

• Strong report-writing and presentation skills for senior executive audiences.

Systra is an equal opportunities company; this position is open to all applicants.