Project Cost Analyst (Mid – Sr) – TELECOM (Construction Accounting/Project Finance)

American Electric Power•Tulsa, OK

2d•$74,551 - $109,543

About The Position

The Project Cost Analyst coordinates project cost analysis and controls for project teams, supporting Project Managers and other staff. The role oversees cost reporting for multiple projects and monitors budgets to ensure accurate project cost reporting on intermediate projects under some supervision. Responsibilities include entering budgets in AEP corporate systems, providing forecast updates and variance analysis at program and project levels, tracking key performance indicators, and applying project management best practices throughout the project lifecycle. The analyst communicates and builds partnerships with internal and external customers, supports continuous process improvement, develops team tools and processes, and provides training. The role also creates work orders and coordinates with contractors and vendors to integrate them into project budgets and schedules. The position supports project meetings, documentation, planning, forecasts, cash flows, budget monitoring, cost tracking, estimates, baseline budgets, and project breakdown structures. Depending on business-unit needs, work may include SOX analysis, annual budget and capital forecast input, unvouchered-liability tracking, maintaining project records, coordinating work orders through in-servicing and closeout, and assisting with contracting and bidding activities. The analyst compiles measurable project KPIs, resolves routine work-order and technical issues, coordinates work activities, and contributes to team decisions. Training and guidance for lower-level employees may be provided. This posting covers multiple grades and advancement opportunities. The stated minimum qualifications apply to the Project Cost Analyst level; higher-level Project Cost Analyst Senior roles have increased education, skill, or experience requirements. Some travel, including overnight, may be required. Overtime, call-out overtime, and shift work may be required depending on the business unit. Work at nuclear power sites may involve hazardous areas and possible radiation exposure within NRC limits.

Requirements

A qualified degree must be in a related field from an accredited college or university; examples include Accounting, Business, Construction Management, Engineering, Technology, or Project Management.
With a high school diploma or GED: four years of experience as an AEP Project Cost Analyst Associate (grade 005), or six years of total experience.
With a qualified associate degree: three years of qualified experience.
With a qualified bachelor's degree: one year of qualified experience.
Qualified experience includes utility-specific operations knowledge and a good working knowledge of work processes and procedures.
Relevant experience should include one or more of design, operations, planning, project management, cost tracking and analysis, forecasting, project budgets, accounting principles, or construction or maintenance of systems and equipment.
Manage time effectively and demonstrate organizational and planning skills, accuracy, attention to detail, and the ability to achieve goals.
Demonstrate basic technical knowledge for written and verbal communication.
Proficiency with computers and Microsoft Office products, including Word, Excel, Outlook, and PowerPoint.
Work collaboratively as a team player.
Safely and effectively perform light physical duties at various work sites, including home and AEP locations, in varying conditions.
Understand and support AEP policies, values, principles, structure, and behavior.
Listen to and satisfy internal and external customers who use and depend upon the work.
Some travel, including overnight, may be required.
Overtime, call-out overtime, and shift work may be required depending on the business unit.

Nice To Haves

Professional or trade certification such as CCMP, CETa, IQCP, PMP, or RMP; certification is not required at this level.
Exposure to corporate accounting and project cost management systems, construction environments, earned value management, and scheduling systems.
At the Principal level, certification is preferred unless required based on the employee’s education background.

Responsibilities

Coordinate project meetings and collaborate with project team members on project activities.
Support Project Managers with preparing and updating project documentation and plans.
Prepare project spending and cash-flow forecasts; monitor budget variances and track and analyze costs.
Depending on business-unit needs, analyze and verify Sarbanes-Oxley activities and assist with annual budgets, capital forecasts, five-year plans, and improvement requisitions.
Perform estimate-versus-actual analysis.
Collaborate with Project Management and other stakeholders on variance reporting and establishing original baseline budgets time-phased to system schedule dates.
Create project breakdown structures.
Perform departmental organizational functions as assigned, including tracking, analyzing, and verifying unvouchered liabilities; maintaining project system records; and coordinating work orders from creation through in-servicing and closeout.
Depending on the business unit, assist with contracting activities, including bidding, cost analysis, and cost tracking.
Communicate budget-related information with project teams, resources, and internal and external stakeholders; provide information and seek assistance as needed.
Perform varied assignments using technical knowledge and analytical techniques to solve problems and analyze issues.
Apply problem-solving skills to resolve technical problems and initiate solutions.
Develop and compile measurable KPIs related to scope, budgets, schedule performance, cost performance, and forecasting.
Work with colleagues, vendors, and customers; respond to inquiries, resolve work-order issues, and implement action plans.
Apply AEP project and work management organizational standards and support compliance with Project Management Governance Committee guidance.
Provide training and guidance to lower-level employees as appropriate.
Recommend improvements to the role, project performance, service and product delivery, and environmental and community stewardship.
Depending on the business unit, coordinate work activities of others, including contractors and vendors, to resolve routine technical tasks and field work activities.
Make decisions and contribute to team decision-making and consensus building.