Project Controls Specialist IV (Cost Analyst)

Element Consulting•Los Angeles, CA

2d•$140,000 - $160,000•Onsite

About The Position

The Project Controls Specialist IV (Cost Analyst) will oversee the integrity and accuracy of project budgets and forecasts, actively participate in monthly EAC meetings, and contribute to change management and risk assessment workshops. This role involves conducting cost variance analyses, monitoring trends, reviewing project budgets and expenditures against funding sources, and collaborating with schedulers to evaluate cost and schedule performance. The specialist will also analyze staffing plans, validate cost coding for contract changes, and ensure proper financial oversight of contracts and purchase orders. Responsibilities include allocating and managing ETCs, creating comprehensive reports using systems like e-Builder, Proliance, and DELTEK, and working closely with project teams to maintain data integrity. The role also involves budget and financial reconciliations, supporting management with regular budget and cost reports, and performing data entry. Travel to offsite project locations may be required, along with undertaking additional duties and special projects.

Requirements

7 - 10 years minimum recent professional experience in project controls, particularly on a capital construction program.
BS/BA Degree in Business Administration, Engineering, Project Management, Construction Management, and/or related degree. Additional four years of qualifying experience in excess to the minimum stated above may be substituted in lieu of formal education.
Strong analytical capabilities, with the ability to organize and interpret complex financial data.
Proficiency in financial modeling and advanced Excel functions.
Exceptional attention to detail, ensuring accuracy in data analysis and reporting.
Advanced problem-solving skills and a strategic approach to financial management.
Ability to communicate complex financial concepts clearly to non-financial stakeholders.
Proven track record of working independently and meeting tight deadlines.
Strong business acumen and understanding of organizational financial goals and objectives.
Comfortable working in a fast-paced, dynamic environment.
Proficiency in using Microsoft Office applications, including Word, Excel, PowerPoint, and Outlook, and the ability to perform tasks such as creating documents, analyzing data, preparing presentations, and managing emails efficiently is expected.

Nice To Haves

Advanced proficiency with program management software including e-Builder, DELTEK, Proliance, and other related platforms, with demonstrated ability to leverage these tools for complex cost management, project tracking, and data reporting.
Expertise in business intelligence and analytics tools, specifically Power BI and/or Tableau, for the creation of comprehensive, real-time cost reports, dashboards, and visualizations that facilitate strategic decision-making.
Hands-on experience with Data Warehousing solutions, demonstrating the ability to integrate and manage large volumes of financial and project data for analytical purposes and reporting.
Strong understanding of cost control and budgeting principles within the context of large-scale projects, with a proven track record of utilizing specialized software to streamline cost analysis, forecasting, and variance reporting.
In-depth knowledge of project management methodologies and the ability to collaborate with cross-functional teams to develop and maintain accurate project cost baselines, financial projections, and cost forecasts.
Demonstrated ability to integrate multiple data sources from various project management and financial systems to create cohesive and accurate financial reports for stakeholders.
Ability to troubleshoot and resolve system integration issues across project management software and financial reporting tools, ensuring seamless data flow and accuracy in financial reporting.

Responsibilities

Oversee the integrity and accuracy of project budgets and forecasts in compliance with approved standard operating procedures.
Actively participate in monthly EAC (Estimate at Completion) meetings, ensuring accurate validation, reviewing current EACs, and providing justification for any variances.
Contribute to change management discussions by identifying emerging trends, risks, and exposure factors.
Engage in Risk Assessment workshops, offering insights on potential financial impacts and identifying mitigation strategies.
Conduct thorough cost variance analyses to identify trends and proactively address any potential budget impacts.
Continuously monitor trends and associated mitigation plans, comparing projected versus actual performance over time.
Review project budgets and expenditures, ensuring alignment with diverse funding sources and financial goals.
Collaborate closely with schedulers to evaluate cost and schedule performance, identifying cost overruns, delays, and variances in planned versus actual expenditures.
Review and analyze monthly cost reports and progress reports to ensure alignment with project financial objectives.
Analyze staffing plans to identify potential cost impacts, such as excessive peaks, and provide recommendations for optimizing resource allocation.
Validate cost coding and budget allocations for contract change orders and amendments, assessing potential impacts on project timelines and financials.
Ensure that contracts, purchase orders, task orders, change orders, and amendments are accurately budgeted and reported, with proper cost coding and financial oversight.
Enforce cost management policies and procedures for capital projects, especially those with multiple funding sources.
Allocate Estimate to Complete (ETC) amounts as required for PBA (Project Budget Adjustments), change orders, and other financial adjustments.
Manage and monitor ETCs for each project to ensure timely and accurate tracking of financial changes.
Create comprehensive reports related to budgeting, cost control, auditing, and asset tracking, utilizing systems like e-Builder, Proliance, DELTEK, and other relevant platforms used by the Program Management Office.
Work closely with Project Managers and Construction Managers to maintain data coding structures, project control tools, and high-quality data for budgets, contracts, change orders, trends, and actual costs.
Conduct budget and financial reconciliations, ensuring alignment between project forecasts, expenditures, and actual costs. Address discrepancies and implement corrective actions as necessary.
Support management with the preparation of regular budget and cost reports, ensuring clarity and accuracy.
Assist with preparing regular and ad hoc reports on project budgets, financial status, and forecasting for senior leadership.
Provide support for weekly/monthly cost and status reports, keeping project teams informed of financial performance.
Perform necessary data entry tasks related to budget and forecast updates.
Develop and maintain change management logs in accordance with established processes and procedures.
Travel to offsite project locations as required.
Undertake additional duties and special projects assigned.