Project Controls Lead

Reporting to the Lead, Capital Projects at the Astron Energy Refinery in Cape Town, the Project Controls Lead is responsible for leading a cross-functional team to deliver comprehensive project control services—including estimating, planning, cost engineering, and document control—for the Refinery Capital Program.

The role ensures strict adherence to Astron Energy’s project delivery standards and financial reporting requirements, supporting effective portfolio management, accurate budgeting, and consistent project performance monitoring.

Through expert leadership, process enhancement, and collaboration, the Project Control Lead drives efficiency and governance in capital project execution while fostering team development and continuous improvement.

Key responsibilities include:

Cost Engineering

• CAPEX & Opex budget creation and management
• Cost estimation for all project phases
• Cost baseline development and change management
• Management of project cost reporting and forecasting
• Evaluating and administering cost change order claims
• Support contingency planning and budget transfers

Planning & Scheduling

• Develop and manage project schedules (including integrated Master schedules)
• Create and maintain the planning/scheduling sections in execution plans
• Monitor schedule progress and performance (including contractor oversight)
• Resource planning, including staffing plans and resource curves
• Schedule change order evaluation and assurance activities
• Schedule and risk assessments for new projects

Project Controls / Reporting

• Build and enhance the Project Management Office (PMO) reporting capabilities for capital projects, facilitating better visibility and governance across the portfolio.
• Implement and manage project controls processes and standards
• Conduct detailed analysis of project time and cost performance for Astron Capital projects using AACEI-approved performance measurement metrics to ensure alignment with strategic objectives
• Prepare and consolidate portfolio, governance, and financial reports
• Data collection, benchmarking, and look-back analysis
• Generate integrated project performance and progress reports
• Participate in project/construction prioritization
• Administer change management processes and assess project baseline impacts

Document Control

• Implement and maintain document control services for all projects, ensuring proper documentation and compliance throughout the project lifecycle.

Team Leadership & Support

• Guide project managers/engineers and refinery teams on project control best practices
• Facilitate cross-team coordination and communication
• Support project close-out and lessons learned (lookbacks)
• Continually monitor, update and enhance Astron project control processes and procedures to align with the Astron PDP, driving efficiency and effectiveness in project delivery.

Professional Qualification and Certification

• BSc Eng / B.Eng.; BCom / B. Bus Science; BSC Quantity Surveying Preferred
• MSC Project Management; MBA / MBL will be advantageous
• PMP / Prince2 certification; AACEI Certifications will be an advantage

Minimum Requirements: BTech in relevant discipline, and 10 years’ experience in Project Controls

Work Experience:

• 10 years in Project Controls, Project Execution or Business Optimization processes; prior team lead or leading large projects

Knowledge; skills and competencies:

• Knowledge and skills: Project Management experience leading a project or part of large integrated project teams; incl Project Execution Processes (e.g. PDP)
• Management Accounting exposure; SAP, ARIBA system knowledge
• Knowledge of Project Planning Tools (Primavera 6.1, MS Project)
• MS Suite proficiency (Excel, Power Point, Word)
• Communication Skills (Written and Verbal)
• Knowledge of Contracts for Procurement and Construction
• Team Leadership Capabilities
• Ability to manage complexity & risk and problem solving within the project controls space (in an Engineering & Technical environment).
• Stakeholder Engagement

Application deadline:

08 March 2026