Lead Analyst, Project Cost

Caturus; Houston (TX); On-site; USD 120,000 - 180,000; Full time

Job summary

Caturus, based in Houston, TX, seeks a Lead Analyst, Project Cost to lead cost management across the EPC lifecycle for large LNG developments. You will drive budgets, forecasts, and reporting, coordinating with contractors and cross-functional teams to ensure cost discipline.

Ideal candidates bring 10+ years in oil & gas EPC cost control, experience with Lump Sum and Reimbursable contracts, and strong analytical capabilities in a fast-paced mega-project setting.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in engineering, Construction Management, Quantity Surveying, or related discipline.
• Engineering background strongly preferred.
• 10+ years experience in cost management on large-scale oil & gas EPC projects.
• Experience with Lump Sum and Reimbursable EPC contracts a plus.

Responsibilities

• Lead project-wide cost budgeting, forecasting, and control across all execution phases.
• Maintain cost baselines, budgets, and cost breakdown structures per EPC contracts.
• Review contractor costs, invoices, change orders, and claims; monitor variances.
• Prepare detailed cost reports, accruals, cash flow forecasts, and management summaries.
• Interface with engineering, procurement, fabrication, construction, scheduling, and finance teams.

Skills

Cost control tools

Excel

Analytical skills

Stakeholder management

Education

Bachelor’s degree in engineering/ Construction Management/ Quantity Surveying

Tools

Ecosys

Job description

The Caturus platform founded by Kimmeridge – an alternative asset manager focused on the energy sector – supports Kimmeridge’s overarching goal of providing low-cost energy on demand with the lowest carbon footprint.

Kimmeridge’s vision in creating Caturus is to build the only independent, fully integrated natural gas and LNG export platform in the U.S. through a combination of its upstream operations and via Commonwealth LNG, a 9.5 million tonnes per annum liquefied natural gas export terminal in southwestern Louisiana on the U.S. Gulf Coast. The combined entities are committed to delivering responsibly sourced, low-emission fuel to domestic and international markets.

Caturus is a Houston-based, private exploration and production company seeking to materially grow production through development of deep, high pressure, dry gas windows of the Eagle Ford and Austin Chalk, as well as Haynesville formations located in Texas and Louisiana while maintaining a relentless focus on safety.

Commonwealth LNG was founded by industry veterans who decided to re-engineer the LNG construction model. Using proven best practices, Commonwealth is committed to building a world-class LNG export facility while focusing on safety, managing risk and achieving best-in-class environmental standards.

Position Summary

This role will be responsible for leading comprehensive cost management throughout the full EPC lifecycle for large-scale LNG developments. This role ensures accurate cost planning, forecasting, control, and reporting across Lump Sum and Reimbursable contract structures. The ideal candidate brings extensive oil & gas EPC cost experience, strong analytical capability, and the confidence to engage effectively with EPC contractors and crossfunctional teams. The Lead Analyst, Project Cost will report directly to the Manager, Project Cost and be based in Houston, TX.

Key Accountabilities

Cost Management & Control

• Lead project-wide cost budgeting, forecasting, and control activities across all execution phases, integrating cost inputs from cross-functional teams and multiple project locations.
• Establish and maintain cost baselines, control budgets, and cost breakdown structures in alignment with EPC contract requirements.
• Monitor contractors and owner’s actual costs and forecast versus budget, identify variances and trends, and recommend mitigation actions.
• Review of EPC contractor cost reports, invoices, tax application, change orders and claims.
• Coordinate with tax consultants to ensure contractor adherence to applicable tax regulations.

Contract & Commercial Oversight

• Apply working knowledge of both Lump Sum and Reimbursable EPC contracts.
• Support commercial negotiations by providing cost analysis, benchmarking, and risk-based recommendations.
• Work closely with Contracts and QS on cost and commercial matters.
• Forecasting, Reporting & Stakeholder Interface.
• Prepare detailed cost reports, accruals, cash flow forecasts, and management summaries.
• Deliver weekly, monthly, and ad-hoc project reports.
• Interface effectively with engineering, procurement, fabrication, construction, scheduling, and finance teams to ensure integrated project controls.
• Identify cost risks and opportunities throughout the project lifecycle.
• Support contingency management, trend analysis, and change management processes.
• Participate in project risk reviews and provide cost impact assessments for technical and execution decisions.

Qualifications

Education, Certificates, and Licenses

• Bachelor’s degree in engineering, Construction Management, Quantity Surveying, or a related technical discipline.
• Engineering background strongly preferred.

Experience

• 10+ years experience of cost management in large-scale oil & gas EPC projects.
• Proven experience with full EPC lifecycle cost control.
• Hands‑on experience with both Lump Sum and Reimbursable contract structures.
• LNG project and prior experience on the Owner’s side is preferred.
• Construction field experience or site exposure is a significant plus.

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities

• Proficiency with cost control tools (e.g., Ecosys), excel, and other cost systems.
• Strong analytical skills with attention to detail.
• Ability to work effectively in a fast‑paced, mega‑project environment.
• Excellent communication skills with diverse stakeholders.
• Ability to lead, mentor, and guide junior cost or project controls staff.