Operations Cost Analyst - Portfolio Management

Central Hudson Gas & Electric•Poughkeepsie, NY

About The Position

What is an Operations Cost Analyst? As an Operations Cost Analyst, you will provide the cost and performance insights needed to help Operations leaders make better, faster, data-driven decisions across the capital and O&M work portfolios. This role connects “the work” to “the money” by analyzing where spend is occurring, how work is progressing, and where cost drivers, mischarges, or execution issues are creating risk or opportunity. You will provide work-level inputs that strengthen the FP&A process by improving the quality of operational assumptions and portfolio visibility used in forecasting and planning. What does an Operations Cost Analyst do? Translates work activity into clear cost and performance insights that inform operational decisions across capital and O&M portfolios Analyzes work-level actuals versus plan/expectations to identify variances, cost drivers, and emerging execution risks requiring attention Reviews work orders/work breakdown structures and charging patterns to identify mischarges or miscoding and coordinate corrective actions with the appropriate teams Supports consistent cost classification and clearer cost visibility by partnering with Operations, Work Management, and Accounting on practical improvements Provides operations-developed inputs into forecast updates by highlighting spend pacing, run-rate shifts, scope changes, and key assumptions for FP&A to aggregate Develops repeatable dashboards and driver summaries that enable leaders to manage portfolio performance and intervene early when needed Identifies and quantifies O&M savings and efficiency opportunities based on how work is performed, where time/cost is consumed, and where practices vary Supports post-work reviews by comparing expected versus actual outcomes and recommending improvements to planning assumptions and execution practices Provides support for storm restoration efforts What does it take to be an Operations Cost Analyst?

Requirements

Bachelor’s degree in Accounting, Finance, Business, Engineering, or a related field and experience in operational finance, cost analysis, cost accounting, or similar roles supporting field work and/or work portfolios. Equivalent combination of education and professional experience may be considered.
Experience working in a work-order/work-package environment and understanding cost structures (labor, contractor, materials, overhead/burden)
Proficiency in Excel and familiarity with BI tools and/or ERP/EAM/work management systems
Strong analytical and communication skills, with the ability to explain cost drivers in operational terms and influence decisions
Valid driver’s license

Nice To Haves

5+ years of experience in operational finance, cost analysis, cost accounting, or similar roles supporting field work and/or work portfolios
Utility experience (electric/gas) and familiarity with capital vs. O&M cost treatment
Experience supporting monthly/quarterly performance and forecast refresh rhythms

Responsibilities

Translates work activity into clear cost and performance insights that inform operational decisions across capital and O&M portfolios
Analyzes work-level actuals versus plan/expectations to identify variances, cost drivers, and emerging execution risks requiring attention
Reviews work orders/work breakdown structures and charging patterns to identify mischarges or miscoding and coordinate corrective actions with the appropriate teams
Supports consistent cost classification and clearer cost visibility by partnering with Operations, Work Management, and Accounting on practical improvements
Provides operations-developed inputs into forecast updates by highlighting spend pacing, run-rate shifts, scope changes, and key assumptions for FP&A to aggregate
Develops repeatable dashboards and driver summaries that enable leaders to manage portfolio performance and intervene early when needed
Identifies and quantifies O&M savings and efficiency opportunities based on how work is performed, where time/cost is consumed, and where practices vary
Supports post-work reviews by comparing expected versus actual outcomes and recommending improvements to planning assumptions and execution practices
Provides support for storm restoration efforts