Project and Program Cost Analyst

Chandler Macleod Group; Canberra; On-site; AUD 90,000 - 120,000; Full time

Job summary

Chandler Macleod Group, recruiting on behalf of our client, is seeking an experienced Project and Program Cost Analyst to join a Canberra-based team. You will provide expert costing analysis, financial insights, and strategic advice to support critical program and investment decisions within a major government program.

In this role you will develop and maintain cost estimates, analyse financial information, prepare briefs and submissions, and present financial information to stakeholders.

Qualifications

• Experience in cost estimation and project costing.
• Strong analytical and problem-solving skills.
• Experience preparing written advice, briefings, and recommendations.
• Ability to communicate financial information clearly to stakeholders.
• Strong stakeholder engagement and relationship management.
• Experience with project artefacts, financial models, schedules, and cost data.
• Ability to work independently and contribute to team outcomes.
• Commitment to continuous improvement and high-quality results.
• Knowledge of government financial frameworks or public sector environments is an advantage.

Responsibilities

• Develop and maintain cost estimates using various methodologies, data sources and modelling techniques.
• Analyse financial and commercial information to support investment decisions.
• Provide strategic costing advice, identifying risks, opportunities, and cost drivers.
• Support the development of business cases, briefs, submissions and financial recommendations.
• Prepare and present accurate financial information to stakeholders and decision-makers.
• Contribute to cost estimation processes, frameworks and continuous improvement initiatives.
• Work closely with internal and external stakeholders to build collaborative relationships and achieve program outcomes.
• Assist in the development and review of costing artefacts including schedules, work breakdown structures, commercial arrangements, and industry benchmarks.

Skills

Cost estimation

Financial analysis

Budgeting

Commercial management

Stakeholder engagement

Analytical thinking

Written advice

Communication

Independent work

Continuous improvement

Job description

Chandler Macleod is recruiting on behalf of our client for an experienced Project and Program Cost Analyst to join a high-performing team based in Canberra ACT.

This is an exciting opportunity for a finance, costing, or commercial professional to contribute to one of Australia's most complex and strategically significant Government programs. Working within a collaborative and fast-paced environment, you will provide expert costing analysis, financial insights, and strategic advice to support critical program and investment decisions.

About the Role

As a Project and Program Cost Analyst, you will:

• Develop and maintain cost estimates using a range of costing methodologies, data sources, and modelling techniques
• Analyse financial and commercial information to support investment and program decisions
• Provide strategic costing advice, identifying financial risks, opportunities, and cost drivers
• Support the development of business cases, briefs, submissions, and financial recommendations
• Prepare and present accurate financial information to stakeholders and decision-makers
• Contribute to cost estimation processes, frameworks, and continuous improvement initiatives
• Work closely with internal and external stakeholders to build collaborative relationships and achieve program outcomes
• Assist in the development and review of project costing artefacts including schedules, work breakdown structures, commercial arrangements, and industry benchmarks

Key Criteria

To be successful in this role, you will demonstrate:

• Experience in cost estimation, project costing, financial analysis, budgeting, or commercial management
• Strong analytical and problem-solving skills with the ability to interpret complex information
• Experience preparing high-quality written advice, briefings, and recommendations
• The ability to communicate financial information clearly to diverse stakeholders
• Strong stakeholder engagement and relationship management capabilities
• Experience working with project artefacts, financial models, schedules, and cost data
• The ability to work independently while contributing positively to team outcomes
• A commitment to continuous improvement and delivering high-quality results
• Knowledge of Government financial frameworks, budgeting processes, or public sector environments will be highly regarded

Eligibility Requirements

• Australian Citizenship is required.
• Ability to obtain and maintain a Negative Vetting 1 (NV1) Security Clearance.