Lead Cost Analyst

Sargent Lundy; Houston (TX); On-site; USD 118,000 - 180,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Paid Annual Personal/Sick Time

Paid Vacation

Paid Holidays

Paid Parental Leave

Paid Bereavement Leave

Flexible Work Arrangements

Job summary

Sargent & Lundy is seeking a Capital Projects Lead Cost Analyst to drive project cost performance for capital infrastructure projects. The role combines analytics, budgeting, forecasting, and routine variance analysis within a hybrid work model (3 days in office, 2 remote).

The ideal candidate brings 10+ years in project controls, strong communication, and advanced Excel/PowerBI skills, plus familiarity with SAP.

Qualifications

• 10+ years of project experience.
• Familiarity with the practical application of project controls.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills.
• Advanced MS Excel and/or PowerBI skills.
• Working knowledge of SAP.

Responsibilities

• Implement project controls tools and methodology.
• Support month-end closing, phase gates, reporting and cost analysis.
• Establish project budgets and cost baselines with stakeholders.
• Develop forecasts using estimates, PO open commitments, and schedules.
• Monitor actual costs and provide variance explanations.
• Prepare supporting documents for client and project requests.
• Interface with project management to monitor cost performance.
• Potential travel to client offices for coordination.

Skills

Project controls

Communication skills

MS Excel/PowerBI

Data analysis

Team collaboration

Education

Post-secondary graduate

Tools

SAP

PowerBI

MS Excel

Job description

Responsibilities

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

We do not sponsor employees for work authorization in the U.S. for this position.

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
• i.) AACE CCT, or PMI Equivalent
• ii.) Working towards AACE CCP, CEP, PSP, PRMP, EVP, or PMI Equivalent
• iii.) 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

Technology & Innovation

Sargent & Lundy values the appropriate use of technology to improve how work gets done and deliver high-quality outcomes for our clients. Depending on the role, employees may use data, automation, artificial intelligence, and other digital tools to support research, analysis, engineering and design activities, workflow improvement, or other aspects of their work. We value candidates who demonstrate an interest in learning and effectively using emerging technologies where relevant to their role. Employees remain accountable for their work and are expected to apply appropriate professional judgment and review when using technology-assisted tools. Experience with AI, automation, programming, or similar technologies is valued where relevant but is not required unless specifically identified elsewhere in the job description.

About Sargent & Lundy

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 & WellnessFinancial BenefitsWork-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

$118,023 - $180,313

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.

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.