Cost Analyst

Kelly Services; Houston (TX); Hybrid; USD 140,405,000 - 151,756,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical benefits

Dental benefits

Vision benefits

Short-term disability

Transit spending account

Job summary

Kelly Services is seeking a Project Controls Specialist / Cost Analyst in Houston, TX, on a 12-month contract with a hybrid on-site/off-site schedule (3 days in Houston, 2 days remote). The role focuses on end-to-end project cost management, budgeting, forecasting, and financial reporting, using Oracle Cloud, Power BI, and Excel to drive automated dashboards and insights.

The ideal candidate holds a Bachelor’s degree and 3–5+ years of experience in project controls within energy or heavy

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree or equivalent in a related field.
• 3–5+ years of experience in project controls, cost controls, field controls, construction management, or project accounting.
• Experience supporting large-scale capital projects/programs in energy or heavy industrial sectors.

Responsibilities

• Manage end-to-end project cost management including budgeting, commitments, forecasting, accruals, and financial reporting.
• Monitor project performance using Earned Value Management (EVM) and Estimate at Completion (EAC).
• Oversee contract administration, validate invoices, certify payments, and manage change control workflows.
• Leverage Excel and Power BI to analyze data and build automated reports and dashboards.
• Collaborate with project managers, field engineers, and financial stakeholders to identify risks and influence outcomes.
• Mentor team members on project controls processes and compliance.

Skills

Excel power user

Power BI

SharePoint

Oracle Cloud / Oracle Projects

Data analysis

Education

Bachelor’s degree in Business, Accounting, Finance, Construction Management, Engineering, Project Controls, or related field

Tools

Oracle Cloud / Oracle Projects

Power BI

SharePoint

Job description

Finding a job that fits your lifestyle isn’t always easy. That’s where Kelly® comes in. We’re seeking a Project Controls Specialist / Cost Analyst to support a premier energy client in Houston, TX (77063). Sound good? Take a closer look below. We’re here to help you find something great that works for you—so you won’t miss a moment of what really matters in your life.

Pay Rate:

$49.00 – $53.00 per hour

Work Arrangement & Term:

• Schedule: Hybrid (3 days on-site in Houston, TX 77063 / 2 days remote)

• Job Type: 12-Month Long-Term Contract

Why you should apply to be a Project Controls Specialist:

• Competitive Compensation: Earn $49.00 – $53.00/hr based on experience.

• Flexible Lifestyle: Enjoy work-life balance with a predictable 3/2 hybrid work schedule.

• Industry Leader: Gain valuable experience supporting large-scale capital projects with a premier energy organization.

• Modern Toolset: Work with advanced systems and tools including Oracle Cloud, Power BI, and generative AI productivity tools (Copilot/ChatGPT/Claude).

• Supportive Environment: Connect with a collaborative, customer-focused team dedicated to professional excellence.

What’s a typical day as a Project Controls Specialist? You’ll be:

• Managing end-to-end project cost management, including budgeting, commitments, forecasting, accruals, and financial reporting.

• Monitoring project performance and utilizing methodologies such as Earned Value Management (EVM) and Estimate at Completion (EAC).

• Overseeing contract administration, validating vendor/contractor invoices, certifying payments, and managing change control workflows.

• Leveraging advanced Excel and Power BI to analyze complex project datasets and build automated reports and dashboards.

• Partnering cross-functionally with project managers, field engineers, and financial stakeholders to identify risks and influence project outcomes.

• Mentoring and guiding project team members on project controls processes and compliance requirements.

This job might be an outstanding fit if you:

• Hold a Bachelor’s degree in Business, Accounting, Finance, Construction Management, Engineering, Project Controls, or a related field (or equivalent combination of education and experience).

• Have 3–5+ years of experience in project controls, cost controls, field controls, construction management, or project accounting.

• Bring background supporting large-scale capital projects/programs within oil & gas, pipeline, terminal, utility, energy, or heavy industrial infrastructure.

• Are an Excel power user skilled in Pivot Tables, Power Query, XLOOKUP, advanced modeling, and automated reporting.

• Have practical experience with Oracle Cloud / Oracle Projects , Power BI , and SharePoint.

• Possess strong analytical, problem-solving, and communication skills, with a proactive approach to risk management.

As part of our promise to talent, Kelly supports those who work with us through a variety of benefits, perks, and work-related resources. Please note: The following benefits reflect Kelly's general offerings. Eligibility may vary by assignment, location, and job type.

• Kelly offers eligible employees voluntary benefit plans including medical, dental, vision, telemedicine, term life, whole life, accident insurance, critical illness, a legal plan, and short-term disability.
• As a Kelly employee, you will have access to a retirement savings plan, service bonus and holiday pay plans (earn up to eight paid holidays per benefit year), and a transit spending account.
• In addition, employees are entitled to earn paid sick leave under the applicable state or local plan.

Click here for more information on benefits and perks that may be available to you as a member of the Kelly Talent Community.

Get a complete career fit with Kelly ® .

You’re looking to keep your career moving onward and upward, and we’re here to help you do just that. Our staffing experts connect you with top companies for opportunities where you can learn, grow, and thrive. Jobs that fit your skills and experience, and most importantly, fit right on your path of where you want to go in your career.

About Kelly

Work changes everything. And at Kelly, we’re obsessed with where it can take you. To us, it’s about more than simply accepting your next job opportunity. It’s the fuel that powers every next step of your life. It’s the ripple effect that changes and improves everything for your family, your community, and the world. Which is why, here at Kelly, we are dedicated to providing you with limitless opportunities to enrich your life—just ask the 300,000 people we employ each year.

Kelly is committed to providing equal employment opportunities to all qualified employees and applicants regardless of race, color, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, religion, national origin, disability, veteran status, age, marital status, pregnancy, genetic information, or any other legally protected status, and we take affirmative action to recruit, employ, and advance qualified individuals with disabilities and protected veterans in the workforce. Requests for accommodation related to our application process can be directed to the Kelly Human Resource Knowledge Center. Kelly complies with the requirements of California’s state and local Fair Chance laws. A conviction does not automatically bar individuals from employment. Kelly participates in E-Verify and will provide the federal government with your Form I-9 information to confirm that you are authorized to work in the U.S.

Kelly may use AI-powered tools during the recruitment and hiring process. For full details, including how Kelly uses AI, your rights, and how to request a reasonable accommodation, visit the Recruitment Artificial Intelligence Notice.

Kelly Services is proud to be an Equal Employment Opportunity and affirmative action employer. We welcome, value, and embrace diversity at all levels and are committed to building a team that is inclusive of a variety of backgrounds, communities, perspectives, and abilities. At Kelly, we believe that the more inclusive we are, the better services we can provide. Requests for accommodation related to our application process can be directed to Kelly’s Human Resource Knowledge Center. Kelly complies with the requirements of California’s state and local Fair Chance laws. A conviction does not automatically bar individuals from employment.