Key Skills

Job Description

Company Description Key Quantum International (KQi) is a dynamic consulting firm headquartered in the Netherlands. Our core focus is providing specialised construction consultancy services and strategic support to a diverse client base, ranging from project owners and developers to contractors, subcontractors and other professional consultancies across the UK, Europe, and the Middle East. At KQi, we excel in supporting major CAPEX projects throughout the full project lifecycle, from early project development and contracting strategy through tendering, contract formation, execution and close-out including claims management and dispute resolution. As we continue to experience substantial growth, we seek professionals with a wealth of experience in project controls, planning and scheduling, together with a strong understanding of contracts, procurement, commercial management and claims, along with a comprehensive understanding of construction and engineering principles, to join our dedicated team. Role Description This is a full-time role for a Project Controls Consultant based in our headquarters in the Netherlands. The successful candidate will play a critical role in project delivery by providing expert oversight of project schedules, progress, cost and performance, while supporting KQi's contract and commercial teams throughout tendering, project execution, change management and, where required, dispute resolution. The role sits at the interface between project controls, contracts and commercial management. The successful candidate will therefore be expected not only to manage schedules, but also to understand how programme information supports contracting strategy, tender evaluation, contract administration, change management, claims and commercial decision-making. This position is ideal for a highly analytical professional with deep expertise in project planning and controls, together with strong experience in delay analysis and an understanding of international project controls and estimation standards. What You Will Be Doing Scheduling & Forensic Delay Analysis Project Planning & Scheduling: Develop, baseline, review, update and manage complex project schedules for large-scale international construction and engineering projects. Contractor Programme Review: Review contractor, supplier and subcontractor programmes to assess sequencing, logic, resources, contractual milestones and alignment with project and contract requirements. Tender & Contracting Support: Provide planning input during tendering and contract formation, including development and review of tender programmes, contractual milestones, bidder schedules, execution plans and project controls requirements. Forensic Delay Analysis: Conduct detailed retrospective and prospective delay analyses to support Extension of Time (EOT) claims and dispute resolution proceedings, applying a deep knowledge of recognized industry protocols (e.g., the Society of Construction Law (SCL) Delay and Disruption Protocol, AACE International Recommended Practice 29R-03). Critical Path Monitoring: Continuously monitor project progress against the critical path, identifying schedule variances and emerging risks, and advising on effective mitigation and recovery strategies. Delay & Disruption Assessment: Evaluate the impact of disruptions, out-of-sequence works, resequencing, acceleration and productivity losses on the overall project timeline utilizing recognized industry methodologies. Change & Variation Assessment: Assess the programme implications of variations, scope changes and contractor proposals and support the contractual and commercial evaluation of their time impact. Cost Estimation & Project Tracking International Estimation: Prepare, review, and validate project cost estimates in accordance with recognized international industry standards, including AACE International recommended practices. Performance Measurement: Track project progress and financial health utilizing Earned Value Management (EVM) and other key performance indicators. Change Order Evaluation: Assess the integrated time and cost impacts of project variations and scope changes in coordination with KQi's contract, commercial and quantum specialists. Contract & Commercial Support: Provide project controls input to contract administration, early warnings, change management, contractor performance reviews, commercial negotiations and claims assessments. Tender Evaluation: Support the evaluation of bidders' programmes, mobilisation plans, resource assumptions, execution strategies and proposed completion dates during procurement and tendering. Contract Formation & Baseline Establishment: Support the transition from tender programme to contractual baseline following award and help establish appropriate scheduling, progress measurement and reporting requirements within the contract. Executive Reporting: Generate comprehensive project controls reports and dashboards to inform clients, contractors, and internal stakeholders and support management decision-making. Qualifications Education: Bachelor’s degree in Engineering , Construction Management, Quantity Surveying, Project Management or a closely related technical discipline. Experience: Minimum of 5 years of dedicated experience in project controls, planning, and scheduling within the construction or engineering sector, preferably involving complex CAPEX, industrial, energy or infrastructure projects. Specialized Expertise: Proven, hands-on track record in project planning, schedule development and critical path analysis, with experience in forensic delay analysis and strong foundational knowledge in project estimation. Must possess a firm understanding of leading international standards and delay/disruption protocols (such as SCL and AACE). Commercial & Contractual Understanding: A good understanding of how planning and project controls interact with tendering, procurement, contract formation, contract administration, variations, claims and commercial management is highly desirable. Software Proficiency: Advanced proficiency in industry-standard scheduling and project controls software, specifically Primavera P6 and Microsoft Project. Languages: Excellent verbal and written communication skills with strict fluency in business English (the main working language). Knowledge of the Dutch language is highly preferable. Personal Profile: Strong analytical skills, commercial awareness and the confidence to review and challenge contractor submissions. The candidate should be comfortable working directly with clients and international project teams and interested in developing beyond traditional project controls into contracts, commercial management and claims. Work Authorization: EU citizenship or a valid permit to work in the Netherlands is highly preferred; however, exceptional candidates of other nationalities are welcome and encouraged to apply.

Core Responsibilities

Develop and manage project schedules, review contractor programmes, monitor critical paths, and analyze delays, disruptions, variations, and their time and cost impacts. Support tendering, contract formation and administration, claims and commercial decisions, while preparing estimates, performance reports, and project controls dashboards.

Requirements

Requires a bachelor's degree in engineering, construction management, quantity surveying, project management, or a related technical discipline, plus at least five years of project controls, planning, and scheduling experience. Candidates should have hands-on delay analysis and critical path expertise, knowledge of SCL and AACE standards, advanced Primavera P6 and Microsoft Project skills, and fluent business English; Dutch is highly preferred.