Senior Project Cost Controls Analyst

About the role

This role can be fully remote within the West Region or hybrid, with regular in-office presence in San Diego, CA. Specific location details and expectations will be discussed during the interview process.

Responsibilities

• Build and maintain project-level cost forecasts by working cross-functionally with project managers and field operations.
• Monitor changes in assumptions and proactively identify cost drivers, risks, and opportunities.
• Lead the monthly reporting process, producing accurate cost performance summaries, variance analyses, and data-driven insights used in executive reviews.
• Assist in the development, documentation, and maintenance of internal controls over financial reporting to ensure compliance with the Sarbanes-Oxley (SOX) Act.
• Implement analytics models to forecast future project cost based on historical data and key project parameters, enabling proactive cost management strategies.
• Assist with the budget mapping process, ensuring fiscal responsibility and accuracy across the department.
• Analyze project performance trends and identify key drivers of variance across cost, schedule, and resource usage.
• Conduct root-cause analyses on cost and schedule deviations and partner with leadership to inform mitigation strategies and corrective actions.
• Develop and maintain cost tracking and reporting systems to ensure accurate operational reporting.
• Collaborate with project teams and other stakeholders to gather cost data and provide insights into trends.
• Identify opportunities for cost savings and process improvements through analysis.
• Synthesize complex datasets into clean, compelling storylines and build executive-ready decks that highlight trends, performance metrics, and strategic recommendations.
• Translate variance drivers into clear business narratives and recommendations for senior leadership.
• Actively engage in field improvements by visiting the field to understand struggles, work on solutions, build trust, and be seen as a resource for project teams.
• Identify risks and early warning signals using historical data, benchmarks, and trends.
• Conduct scenario planning to explore various future scenarios and assess their potential impact on project outcomes; develop robust contingency plans and adapt to changing circumstances effectively.
• Convey a data-driven story to technical and non-technical audiences around key business insights, in collaboration with key cross-functional partners.
• Define and analyze key metrics to manage project health, mitigate risks, demonstrate impact, and enable continuous improvement.
• Lead data quality audits, resolve coding or cost discrepancies with field teams.
• Contribute analytics to project lessons‑learned reviews and portfolio trend reports.
• Grow analytics expertise around you, upskilling analysts and others to increase overall team impact.
• Train and supervise analysts to ensure efficient and effective project cost analysis.

Requirements

• Bachelor’s degree in Engineering, Finance, Economics, Data Science, or a related analytical field.
• 3–5 years of experience in project controls, FP&A, or data-driven roles.
• Proficiency in Microsoft Excel; experience with Power BI, Python, and/or SQL is highly preferred.
• Strong analytical and problem-solving skills, with a structured approach to modeling and interpretation.
• Experience partnering with internal stakeholders to identify objectives and work cohesively together to complete identified objectives.
• Highly effective communicator who can translate complex technical data into business terms for senior leadership.
• Data-driven and analytical mindset.
• Strong data management skills and creativity in business problem solving.
• Proven ability to build clean, professional presentation decks that influence decision-making.
• Detail-oriented, motivated self-starter.
• Ability to travel as needed to successfully fulfill responsibilities and duties.
• Applicants must be legally authorized to work in the U.S. without requiring employer sponsorship now or in the future.

Benefits

• Medical, dental, vision, basic life and disability insurance for employees and their families.
• 401(k) plan enrollment.
• Paid vacation, sick, and holiday pay.

Pay

$86,903.00 – $108,629.00 (salary)