Pricing Analyst

CNA is hiring for a Pricing Analyst to join their Contracts & Procurement division, supporting the Institute of Public Research.

About the role

This role leads the development of compliant, competitive cost proposals across Federal, State/Local (SLED), and Federal Assistance (Grants/Cooperative Agreements) in response to Request for Proposals (RFPs). Responsibilities include building financial models, interpreting solicitation requirements, and ensuring alignment with Federal Acquisition Regulations (FAR), State Procurement Codes, and Uniform Guidance (2 CFR 200).

Responsibilities

• Lead the timely creation of cost/price volumes and Basis of Estimates (BOEs) for a variety of proposal efforts.
• Provide inputs for all management and corporate bid approval; attend proposal review meetings to discuss, review, and revise cost/price proposals and actively contribute to price discussions.
• Build advanced Microsoft Excel models to calculate direct costs, fringe, overhead, G&A, and profit margins, as well as models tailored to unique state, city, and municipal RFP cost templates.
• Review RFPs/RFQs and related documents to identify pricing requirements, terms, and conditions; work closely with the proposal team to interpret contractual language and recommend compliant and competitive pricing approaches and contract types.
• Ensure all cost volumes strictly align with FAR (Federal Acquisition Regulations), CAS (Cost Accounting Standards) where applicable, and Uniform Guidance (2 CFR 200).
• Support "Price-to-Win" (PTW) strategies and conduct variance analyses for different contract types, including established rate contract vehicles.
• Coordinate with capture teams, contracts, procurement, and subcontractors to gather accurate vendor data and labor rates; evaluate subcontractor price proposals for cost realism, reasonableness, and compliance.
• Assist in cross-training and facilitate continuous improvement initiatives.
• Maintain comprehensive pricing files and interface with internal/external auditors during price audits.
• Post-award: Review new hire salaries, map resumes to contract Labor Categories (LCATs), verify compliance with rate ceilings or wage determinations, and build financial models for contract modifications.
• Perform other duties as assigned.

Requirements

• Bachelor’s degree in Finance, Accounting, Business, or Economics.
• 3-5+ years of experience in government contracting pricing or federal cost proposal development.
• Proficiency in Microsoft Excel (intermediate to advanced, including complex formulas, lookups, pivot tables, and scenario analysis).
• Working knowledge of FAR Part 31 cost principles and Uniform Guidance (2 CFR 200) as they relate to cost allowability, allocability, and reasonableness.
• Experience with Costpoint and Cognos (or similar ERP/BI tools) for rate validation, data extraction, and reporting is highly desirable.
• Ability to work effectively under tight deadlines, manage multiple concurrent proposals, and adapt to shifting priorities.
• Strong attention to detail and accuracy in numerical work and documentation.
• Effective communication skills, both written and verbal, with the ability to explain pricing assumptions and tradeoffs to non-financial stakeholders.
• Ability to work both independently and as part of a cross-functional team in a fast-paced proposal environment.

Benefits

• Health, dental, and vision insurance.
• Life and disability insurance.
• 403(b) retirement plan with employer matching.
• Generous paid time off programs to promote a healthy work-life balance.

Eligibility for these benefits varies based on employment classification.