Lead Cost Analyst

Sargent & Lundy; Chicago (IL); Hybrid; USD 116,000 - 180,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading engineering firm in Chicago is looking for a Capital Projects Lead Cost Analyst to manage project cost performance. This hybrid role involves developing budgets, monitoring costs, and working closely with clients and project teams. Ideal candidates have over 10 years of experience and strong skills in Excel and PowerBI. Award-winning benefits support employee well-being, and competitive compensation ranges from $116,620 to $179,890.

Benefits

Comprehensive healthcare plans

Paid vacation

Tuition assistance

Employee referral bonus

Flexible work arrangements

Qualifications

• 10+ years of project experience.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills.
• Eager to learn new skills and develop knowledge.

Responsibilities

• Implement project controls tools and methodology.
• Support month-end closing processes.
• Monitor and analyze actual project costs.

Skills

Project controls familiarity

Communication skills

Motivation to learn

Excel and/or PowerBI proficiency

Working knowledge in SAP

Education

Post-secondary education

Tools

MS Office

PowerBI

SAP

Job description

Description

This role offers a hybrid work arrangement. You'll spend three days a week in the office, giving you the flexibility to work remotely for two days.

As a Capital Projects Lead Cost Analyst, you will apply your technical skills to meet project team and client needs for monitoring, analyzing, and reporting project cost performance. This work will include interfacing directly with project management, client management, and site personnel for the development of budget and cost metrics for the engineering, procurement, and construction scopes of work associated with capital infrastructure projects. Using a variety of industry and proprietary tools, you will perform the following tasks:

• Implement project controls tools and methodology
• Support the month end closing and phase gate processes, coordination, productions, management, reporting and analysis of cost information
• Support the establishment of project original and approved budgets
• Work with project stakeholders to establish cost baselines
• Develop project forecasts, utilizing estimates, schedules, purchase order open commitments, and inputs from project stakeholders. Review, explain basis for, and adjust project forecasts directly with Project Managers.
• Monitor and analyze actual project costs, calculate variances between actual and forecasted costs, and gather information to document variance explanations.
• Assemble supporting documentation to meet project team and client requests/needs
• Analyze data and build reports to support project monitoring and decision making
• Interface regularly with project management to support monitoring cost performance
• There is the potential for you to travel to client office for project coordination meetings
• Experience with Accrual based project execution.

Qualifications

Essential skills and experience:

• Familiarity with the practical application of project controls
• 10+ years of project experience
• Post-secondary graduate
• Communication: Excellent written and verbal communication skills, with a proven ability to interact and multitask with project team members, clients, and vendors of varying position levels.
• Motivation: Eager to learn new skills and develop knowledge to add make a valuable impact to project team operation. Willing to engage with others to understand project team needs. Committed to deliver high quality, accurate deliverables with attention to detail.
• Computer Skills: Working knowledge in MS Office tools, with emphasis on the advanced use of MS Excel and/or PowerBI in creating detailed, interactive spreadsheets, workbooks, and databases.
• Working knowledge in SAP
• Valued but not required skills and experience:
• Related internship, co-op, or work experience, which includes project controls, project planning, project scheduling, and earned value performance, preferably within the power industry
• AACE CCT, or PMI Equivalent
• Working towards AACE CCP, CEP, PSP, PRMP, EVP, or PMI Equivalent
• In lieu of Professional Designation (i. or ii.) above, has completed equivalent training
• Or in lieu of i.), ii.) or iii.) above, has successfully passed designated proficiency testing

Award-Winning Benefits

At Sargent & Lundy, we care about the health and well-being of our employees. Our commitment extends beyond the workplace, offering comprehensive healthcare plans and generous paid time off to support our team members in every aspect of their lives. We understand the importance of work-life balance, which is why we are proud to provide competitive, award-winning benefits. Our dedication to employee satisfaction has earned us the prestigious Top Workplaces Culture Excellence Award for compensation and benefits in 2022, 2023, and 2024.

Health & Wellness Financial Benefits Work-Life Balance

• Health Plans: Medical, Dental, Vision
• Life & Accident Insurance
• Disability Coverage
• Employee Assistance Program (EAP)
• Back-Up Daycare
• FSA & HSA
• 401(k)
• Pre-Tax Commuter Account
• Merit Scholarship Program
• Employee Discount Program
• Corporate Charitable Giving Program
• Tuition Assistance
• First Professional Licensure Bonus
• Employee Referral Bonus
• Paid Annual Personal/Sick Time (PST)
• Paid Vacation
• Paid Holidays
• Paid Parental Leave
• Paid Bereavement Leave
• Flexible Work Arrangements

Compensation Range

$116,620.00 - $179,890.00

Transparency Statement

Sargent & Lundy discloses compensation ranges that comply with all local and state regulations. The total compensation package for eligible positions will include a base salary or an hourly rate and a comprehensive benefits package, reflecting our commitment to rewarding performance and supporting the overall well-being of our employees. Individuals may also be eligible to participate in our yearly discretionary bonus.

Awards & Recognition

Equal Opportunity

Sargent & Lundy is an equal opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, national origin, disability status, protected veteran status, or any protected status as defined by applicable law.

City: Chicago

State: IL

Country: United States

Area of Interest: Project Management

Type: Full Time - Regular

Job ID: 2025-18248

Business Group: Chief Operations Officer Group

Department: Project Controls and Scheduling Division