The Opportunity This is a senior technical and leadership role for a project controls professional who is ready to operate at the front lines of complex capital project delivery while contributing to the growth and development of a high-performing consulting team. The Associate Director, Project Controls will lead the delivery of project controls services across client engagements, bring rigour and expertise to cost, schedule, risk, and performance management, and play an active role in developing junior and intermediate staff. This is not a back-office role, you will be the subject matter expert in the room, trusted by clients and relied upon by the firm's leadership to deliver.
This position is based full-time, in-office in Toronto, Ontario.
What You'll Do Project Controls Delivery
Lead end-to-end delivery of project controls services on assigned client engagements, maintaining the highest standards across cost control, scheduling, EVM, and risk management.
Serve as the senior project controls authority on client-facing engagements, owning quality, accuracy, and timeliness of all project controls outputs.
Develop, update, and monitor detailed project schedules in Primavera P6, including critical path analysis, what-if scenario modelling, and schedule performance tracking.
Build and manage cost control frameworks, lifecycle forecasts, and budget performance reports; proactively surface financial risks and support corrective action plans.
Apply earned value management techniques to evaluate the relationship between planned scope, executed work, and actual cost, translating data into clear performance insights.
Risk, Change & Reporting
Oversee risk management processes on client engagements, identifying, quantifying, and integrating risks and opportunities into schedules and budgets.
Administer change control procedures for cost and schedule, ensuring scope changes are assessed, documented, approved, and reflected in maintained project baselines.
Conduct variance analysis and cost performance monitoring throughout project execution, translating deviations into clear, actionable recommendations.
Prepare and present monthly project financial summaries and cost performance reports for senior leadership and client stakeholders.
Client Engagement & Relationships
Build and sustain trusted relationships with client project teams, serving as a go-to advisor on all project controls matters.
Communicate complex project controls data clearly and confidently to a range of audiences: from project teams to executive sponsors.
Support proposal development, engagement scoping, and onboarding of new project controls assignments as required.
Team Development & Internal Contribution
Mentor and develop junior and intermediate project controls staff, fostering a culture of technical excellence, accountability, and continuous improvement.
Contribute to the development and standardization of Dokainish & Company's project controls service offerings, tools, and methodologies.
Participate in quality assurance reviews and support the firm's commitment to consistent, high-quality delivery across all engagements.
Collaborate with senior leadership on strategic initiatives relating to service delivery, market positioning, and operational excellence.
Who You Are: You are a technically accomplished project controls professional with a track record of delivery on complex capital projects. You are equally comfortable analyzing schedule logic in P6 and presenting performance data to a client executive. You take pride in the quality of your work, hold yourself to high standards, and bring others along with you. You have moved beyond purely technical execution and are ready or already operating at a level where you shape how work gets done, not just do the work yourself.
Qualifications Required
Extensive progressive experience (10+ years) in project controls within an engineering, consulting, or owner's organization, with demonstrated advancement toward senior delivery and leadership responsibilities.
Proven experience across capital project sectors such as energy, nuclear, infrastructure, or construction.
Advanced proficiency in Primavera P6, including schedule development, logic analysis, and performance tracking.
Extensive knowledge of earned value management, cost forecasting, change control, and schedule performance monitoring.
Strong client-facing communication skills, with demonstrated ability to engage and influence senior stakeholders.
Proven ability to mentor staff and contribute to team capability development.
Bachelor's degree in Engineering, Construction Management, or a related field, or equivalent professional experience.
Ability to manage multiple concurrent client engagements independently in a fast-paced consulting environment.
Advanced Excel skills for cost modelling and bespoke reporting.
Preferred
Professional certifications such as PMP, PSP, CCP, or AACE International designations.
Experience in a consulting or advisory environment with accountability for client relationships.
Exposure to quantitative risk analysis, cost estimating, or PMIS platforms.
Note: This role description is intended to provide a general overview of the position. It is not an exhaustive list of all responsibilities, duties, skills, or qualifications required.
We take immense pride in our high-performing, collaborative team. We recognize and value the uniqueness of every individual, and you'll be part of a growing consulting firm where your expertise will directly shape project outcomes and client success. This is an opportunity to make a meaningful impact, mentor others, and grow your career in a dynamic, results-driven environment.
If you believe your skillset, drive, qualifications, and experience are a match, we welcome your application and look forward to hearing from you.
We thank all applicants for their interest in Dokainish & Company. Please note that only candidates selected for an initial interview will be contacted.
Notes: VACANCY STATUS: This posting is for a new position. AI USAGE: This organization does not use artificial intelligence to screen, assess, or select applicants for this particular open position. All applications are personally reviewed by our Talent Acquisition Team.
