Project Controller III

Job Title: Project Controller III
Location: Reston, VA

Description/Job Summary

POSITION DESCRIPTION 

The Project Controller is responsible for helping to drive 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 process discipline, and hold project teams accountable to financial and schedule commitments.

 
Responsibilities/Duties

WHAT YOU'LL BE DOING 

Financial Management (Primary Focus):

• Aid in the development, maintenance, and aggressive management of 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.

Schedule & Performance Control:

• 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.

Compliance & GovCon Requirements:

• 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.

Budget Preparation:

• Assist Project Manager with annual budget preparation and periodic forecast updates. Interface with Project Managers in compiling revenue and direct cost projections for projects.

Minimum Requirements

WHAT YOU NEED TO BE SUCCESSFUL 

• Bachelor’s degree in Finance, Accounting, Business, or a related field.
• Minimum 10 years of project control or financial management experience in government contracting. An advanced degree may lower the required years of experience needed.
• Strong knowledge of FAR/DFARS, cost-reimbursable, T&M, and fixed-price contracts.
• Proven ability to manage multiple projects with competing priorities.
• Strong Excel skills; experience with project accounting and ERP systems.
• Demonstrated ability to challenge assumptions, enforce process discipline, and drive results.
• Excellent communication skills with the confidence to work with senior leadership.
• Demonstrated ability to learn and adopt new technologies and digital tools to improve project delivery and operational efficiency.

Desired Qualifications

WHAT YOU NEED TO STAND OUT – Preferred, not required

• Experience with earned value management (EVM).
• Experience supporting federal environmental, engineering, or professional services contracts.
• Prior involvement in DCAA/DCMA audits.
• Hands-on experience using Workday Adaptive Planning for project forecasting and financial modeling.
   

Physical & Environmental Requirements

PHYSICAL & COGNITIVE REQUIRMENTS

WORK ENVIRONMENT REQUIREMENTS

This description is not a comprehensive listing of activities, duties or responsibilities that may be required of the employee. Other duties, responsibilities and activities may be assigned or may be changed at any time with or without notice.

Details

Work Schedule: HGL office work is dictated by a 5-day work week; however, accounting deadline schedules may require occasional longer hours.

Office Type: Hybrid, in office 2-3 days per week after 60-day training period which will be fully on-site.

Travel: No travel expected.

A favorable pre-hire drug test is required.

All positions are subject to a pre-hire education and driving record verification.

MORE ABOUT HGL AND THE OPPORTUNITY

At HGL, we share a drive and vision to restore natural resources and provide ongoing stewardship of our environment to benefit present and future generations. We believe that we can make a difference in improving the world we live in through collaboration, teamwork, and a positive work environment. This unites and empowers us to strive for excellence in all our endeavors.

HGL - WHO WE ARE 

The exceptional quality of our people is key to our strength. We value our employees as individuals and as important members of our team. We offer a work environment that is flexible, inclusive, and dedicated to creating a sustainable future. By cultivating a culture of innovation, we’re able to adapt and augment our services to solve complex environmental and natural resources challenges. 

Projects at HGL primarily span the United States and its territories, tackling problems associated with emerging contaminants (like PFAS), radiological contamination, and military munitions, along with chemical contamination in groundwater, surface water, sediments, and soil. 

With over 550 employees, HGL is large enough to execute high-profile projects, but small enough to develop personal working environments with our talented team members. By joining HGL, you will be working toward restoring the environment and protecting our future.

HGL - WE INVEST IN YOU

It’s not just a job, it’s your career. HGL provides career growth opportunities via mentoring, training, education, and support for your certifications and licenses. Achieve your career goals and help HGL achieve its mission of restoring the environment to beneficial use for our clients and communities. 

We are an Equal Opportunity employer. All applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, age, national origin, disability, protected veteran status, or other protected category. Some positions may require U.S. citizenship. Applicants who wish to request a reasonable accommodation during the recruitment process should contact Human Resources directly at 703-478-5186.

EEO notices: US Equal Opportunity Employment Poster, US Equal Opportunity Supplemental Poster, Know Your Rights, and Pay Transparency Notice.

A full list of benefits is available at www.hgl.com/careers/.

Digital & AI Proficiency: HGL encourages the responsible use of approved AI-enabled and digital technologies to improve productivity, technical quality, decision-making, and project delivery. Candidates who demonstrate curiosity, adaptability, and experience leveraging emerging technologies are highly valued.

The salary range for this position ranges from $105,588 - $158,382. This position's final salary can be impacted by various factors including, but not limited to, contractual requirements, geographic location, job-related education, training, experience, and skills. If your desired salary falls outside of this range, we hope you'll still apply as there may be other positions that better align.

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