FIFTH SPACE is hiring a motivated, detail-oriented Project Controls Associate to support development and construction of a life science/clinical building at our flagship San Francisco megaproject, Power Station. The 300,000-square foot life science/clinical building will be built-to-suit for the University of California, San Francisco (UCSF), and is expected to remain under development and construction for the next 4 years.
About Us
FIFTH SPACE is the agile and growing real estate team behind Power Station. In our colleagues we value hustle, collaboration, and creativity in the face of complexity. We have nimble capital and are not prone to bureaucracy at the expense of efficiency or common sense.
About Our Work
Power Station sits on the largest privately held, waterfront development parcel in San Francisco. It is nestled among other large projects that are collectively transforming the city’s eastern waterfront. At Power Station, we are creating a vibrant, urban ecosystem with 5.4M square feet of new residential, office, life science, and thoughtfully curated retail space, all interspersed with 7 acres of green parks and open space.
Position Summary
The Project Controls Associate provides essential support to the Project Controls Manager in maintaining the financial, contractual, and reporting infrastructure for Block 2 at Power Station.
This role is responsible for ensuring accuracy, transparency, and reliability of project controls data, including budgets, commitments, change orders, invoices, and cost forecasts. The position supports disciplined project management by ensuring that all financial and contractual information is properly documented and readily accessible to the project leadership team.
The role is critical in maintaining data integrity and reporting efficiency for a highly complex construction project involving multiple stakeholders, contractors, and consultants.
Key Responsibilities
Cost & Budget Tracking
• Maintain project budget records including commitments, expenditures, and forecast updates.
• Assist in maintaining the project’s cost management system and budget reconciliation processes.
• Track contingency utilization and assist in maintaining the contingency log.
Reporting & Data Analytics
• Prepare weekly and monthly cost tracking reports and KPI dashboards.
• Support preparation of the monthly project controls report and job cost meeting materials.
• Assist in preparing financial summaries for executive reporting.
Contract & Change Order Administration
• Maintain the project change order log and contract amendment records.
• Track change order status, cost impacts, and schedule implications.
• Support documentation review for change order negotiations.
Invoice & Payment Administration
• Review contractor and consultant invoices for completeness and contract compliance.
• Verify payment applications against approved schedules of values and project progress.
• Assist in preparation of Owner draw packages and financial documentation.
Documentation & Compliance
• Track conditional and unconditional lien waivers and other payment documentation.
• Maintain project records related to procurement approvals, contract authorizations, and financial compliance.
• Support compliance reporting tied to project agreements and regulatory requirements.
Qualifications
Experience
• Bachelor’s degree in Construction Management, Finance, Engineering, or related field preferred.
• 3–7 years of experience in construction project controls, cost management, or project administration.
• Experience on large commercial, life sciences, or healthcare construction projects preferred.
Technical Skills
• Proficiency in Excel and financial analysis tools.
• Experience with construction cost control software, such as Northspyre, preferred
• Familiarity with project management platforms such as Procore, Primavera, or similar systems.
Professional Attributes
• Strong attention to detail and data accuracy.
• Excellent organizational and analytical skills.
• Ability to manage multiple priorities in a fast-paced project environment.
Location
FIFTH SPACE’s office, currently on-site at Power Station (1201 Illinois Street). In-person work is required every business day for this role. Lunch is served on Mondays, Wednesdays, and Thursdays (at minimum). Thoughtfully curated snacks and drinks are always available. Occasional travel may be required.
Compensation & Title
Compensation and title are based on experience. Annual base salary range of $165,000 to $195,000, plus performance bonus and LTI targets — and a professional development budget.
Benefits
We are a small, close-knit group. We are committed to going above and beyond in providing benefits that protect you.
• Company pays 70% of medical, vision and dental premiums for employee and family (or $350 monthly stipend for waiver of health benefits)
• HSA with employer contributions ($250/month for individual or $500 for family)
• 401K with 50% employer match (up to 4.5% of base salary)
• 10 days PTO per year, plus any office closures per company policy as it may be amended periodically (currently the week of July 4th and the week between Christmas and New Year’s Day)
• Statutory sick leave (currently 72 hours per year)
• 16 weeks paid parental leave (birthing parent) or 12 weeks paid parental leave (non-birthing parent)
• Life and AD&D insurance (paid by company)
• Supplemental life and AD&D insurance (available at below-market rates)
• Long-term disability insurance (paid by company)
• Short-term disability insurance (available at below-market rates)
• Pre-tax employee contributions for public transportation expenses
• CARES Act student loan assistance program
• Hospital indemnity insurance, accident insurance, critical illness insurance and legal insurance (available at below-market rates)
Disclaimer: Above is an outline of this position only. It is not comprehensive, and it is subject to change at any time. FIFTH SPACE is proud to be an equal opportunity employer and complies with all applicable immigration and employment laws. To help us understand potential employment needs, we ask that applicants indicate whether they require sponsorship for employment visa status now or in the future. Employment decisions, including hiring decisions, are not based on race, color, religion, national origin, ancestry, sex (including pregnancy, childbirth, breastfeeding or medical conditions related to pregnancy), physical or mental disability, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, age, military or veteran status, genetic information, medical condition, natural hairstyle, or any other characteristic protected by state or federal law. We also provide reasonable accommodations to qualified individuals with disabilities in accordance with state and federal laws.