Project Costing Services Officer

Chandler Macleod Group; Canberra; On-site; AUD 120,000 - 160,000; Full time

Job summary

Chandler Macleod Group is seeking an experienced Project Costing Officer to support a large-scale Defence capability. You will develop cost models, forecasts and investment analyses to inform strategic decisions in a complex program environment.

You will engage with program and finance stakeholders, maintain cost traceability, and produce governance-ready reports to support funding choices and future capability outcomes in Canberra.

Qualifications

• Strong experience in cost modelling, financial analysis or project costing.
• Advanced analytical and problem-solving capabilities.
• Ability to develop, maintain and explain complex cost models.
• Strong written and verbal communication skills.
• Excellent Microsoft Office skills, particularly Excel.
• Ability to present financial and commercial information clearly to stakeholders.

Responsibilities

• Develop, maintain and update cost estimates and financial models
• Coordinate costing activities across multiple projects and work streams
• Conduct affordability assessments and investment option analysis
• Prepare cost forecasts, expenditure analysis and budget planning information
• Maintain supporting evidence, assumptions and cost traceability documentation
• Prepare financial reports, governance papers, briefings and decision-support materials
• Analyse financial impacts of competing investment priorities
• Engage with finance, project and program stakeholders to support planning activities
• Contribute to governance, audit and assurance requirements
• Provide costing expertise across broader program initiatives as required

Skills

Cost modelling

Financial analysis

Problem solving

Stakeholder communication

Financial reporting

Education

Finance / Commerce / Economics / Business or related discipline

Tools

Microsoft Excel

Job description

Chandler Macleod is recruiting on behalf of our client for an experienced Project Costing Officerto support a large-scale Defence capability and investment environment. This opportunity is ideal for a finance, commercial, costing or project professional with experience developing cost models, affordability assessments and investment analysis within complex program environments.

Working with a broad range of stakeholders, you will play a key role in developing and maintaining cost estimates, supporting investment planning activities, and providing financial analysis that informs strategic decision-making and future capability outcomes.

About the Role

As a Project Costing Officer, you will provide specialist costing and financial analysis services to support the planning, prioritisation and delivery of complex capability initiatives. You will work closely with program teams, finance stakeholders and senior decision-makers to ensure cost information is robust, traceable and supports informed investment decisions. The role requires strong analytical capability, attention to detail and the ability to communicate complex financial information to diverse stakeholders.

Key Responsibilities

• Develop, maintain and update cost estimates and financial models
• Coordinate costing activities across multiple projects and work streams
• Conduct affordability assessments and investment option analysis
• Prepare cost forecasts, expenditure analysis and budget planning information
• Maintain supporting evidence, assumptions and cost traceability documentation
• Prepare financial reports, governance papers, briefings and decision-support materials
• Analyse financial impacts of competing investment priorities
• Engage with finance, project and program stakeholders to support planning activities
• Contribute to governance, audit and assurance requirements
• Provide costing expertise across broader program initiatives as required

Required Skills & Experience

• Strong experience in cost modelling, financial analysis or project costing
• Advanced analytical and problem-solving capabilities
• Ability to develop, maintain and explain complex cost models
• Strong written and verbal communication skills
• Excellent Microsoft Office skills, particularly Excel
• Ability to present financial and commercial information clearly to stakeholders

Highly Regarded

• Experience in Defence, Government or large complex program environments
• Background in financial management, budgeting or cost estimation
• Experience supporting business cases, investment decisions or governance processes
• Knowledge of project, program or portfolio management practices
• Qualifications in Finance, Commerce, Economics, Business, Engineering or a related discipline
• Experience undertaking affordability, investment or schedule analysis

Requirements

• Current NV1 Security Clearanceis mandatory
• Ability to work on-site in Canberra
• Ability to prepare a concise resume and selection criteria response

This is an excellent opportunity to contribute to strategic capability planning and investment activities within a highly complex and rewarding environment. You will work alongside experienced professionals while providing critical costing and financial analysis that supports major organisational outcomes.

At Chandler Macleod, we are committed to fostering a diverse workforce where everyone is welcome. We encourage applications from Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples, women, neurodiverse, people living with a disability and the LGBTIQA+ community.

You can read more about our commitment to diversity and inclusion at https://www.chandlermacleod.com/diversity-and-inclusion.