Principal Financial Analyst

Battelle; Columbus (OH); Hybrid; USD 67,000 - 95,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Compressed work schedule

Hybrid work model (60% in-office, 40%

Paid time off

Wellness benefits

401(k) retirement plan with company 5%

Tuition assistance

Job summary

Battelle seeks a Principal Financial Analyst to join the Business Unit Finance team in Columbus. You will partner with project leaders to provide strategic financial guidance, develop cost estimates, and support the full project lifecycle from setup to execution.

Key responsibilities include cost analysis, budgeting, forecasting, and ensuring compliance with government contracting norms. This role emphasizes independent work, risk assessment, and broad collaboration across functions.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Finance and five years of relevant experience or equivalent.
• Demonstrated ability to independently manage financial assignments and support project and business financial needs.
• Strong financial analysis, budgeting, forecasting, estimating, and project controls capabilities.
• Ability to work effectively across functions and manage multiple priorities within tight deadlines.

Responsibilities

• Independently provides expertise in Project Controls and Estimating requirements across contract sizes and types.
• Partners with business and project leadership to provide financial insight and guidance for informed decisions.
• Support pricing strategy, financial modeling, and analysis to strengthen profitability.
• Participate in proposal processes for large opportunities, including bid/no-bid decisions and pricing strategies.
• Identify opportunities for process improvement, cost savings, and cross-organizational solutions.
• Serve as a trusted financial resource to leadership, highlighting risks and opportunities.

Skills

Financial analysis

Budgeting

Forecasting

Estimating

Project controls

Education

Bachelor's degree in Finance

Job description

Battelle delivers when others can’t. We conduct research and development, manage national laboratories, design and manufacture products and deliver critical services for our clients - whether they are a multi-national corporation, a small start-up or a government agency.

Job Summary

The Principal Financial Analyst serves as a key member of the Business Unit Finance team, providing strategic financial support and guidance to business and project leadership. This role partners across the organization to support sound financial decision-making, project execution, new business opportunities, and overall business performance.

Primary areas of responsibility include Business Partnership and Advisory, Business Financial Services, Compliance and Governance, and Education and Growth.

The Principal Financial Analyst works independently, applies advanced financial and project controls knowledge, and manages complex assignments within demanding and time-sensitive business environments.

Responsibilities

BUSINESS PARTNER/ADVISOR RESPONSIBILITIES

• Independently provides expertise in Project Controls and Estimating requirements across a variety of contract sizes and types.
• Partners with business and project leadership to provide financial insight, analysis, and guidance that support informed business decisions.
• May support pricing strategy, financial modeling, and analysis designed to strengthen competitive positioning and profitability.
• May participate in the proposal process for large and strategic business opportunities, including bid/no-bid decisions and development of cost and overall pricing strategies.
• Identifies opportunities for process improvement, increased efficiency, and cost savings and collaborates across the organization to develop and implement solutions.
• Serves as a trusted financial resource to project and business leadership, helping identify financial risks, opportunities, and potential impacts to business performance.

BUSINESS FINANCIAL SERVICES RESPONSIBILITIES

• Independently provides Project Controls and Estimating expertise to support cost analysis and estimating for new business opportunities, as well as financial management throughout the project lifecycle.
• Prepares final proposal pricing in the format required by the client.
• Completes project setup activities and partners with Project Management to design and implement effective Work Breakdown Structures (WBS).
• Supports Project Management and the broader Finance team with financial analysis, budgeting, forecasting, execution, monitoring, and control.
• Analyzes project financial performance and provides meaningful financial information to support project and business decision-making.
• Applies knowledge of Battelle's overhead-rate structure, accounting practices, and financial systems to support accurate and effective financial management.

COMPLIANCE & GOVERNANCE RESPONSIBILITIES

• Works independently with Project and Finance Management to identify, evaluate, and mitigate business and financial risks.
• Supports Project and Finance Management in maintaining compliance with applicable Government Contracting regulations, internal requirements, and contractual terms.
• Provides financial guidance that promotes accurate, consistent, and compliant project execution and financial management.

Key Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Finance and five years of relevant experience, or an equivalent combination of education and/or experience in a related field.
• Demonstrated ability to independently manage financial assignments and support project and business financial needs.
• Strong financial analysis, budgeting, forecasting, estimating, and project controls capabilities.
• Ability to work effectively across functions and manage multiple priorities within tight deadlines.

Preferred Qualifications

• Master's degree.
• Experience supporting complex projects, proposals, pricing activities, or Government Contracting environments.

Compensation Data

Battelle is committed to fair and equitable compensation practices. The salary range for this role is $66,500 - $94,800, in addition to our comprehensive benefits package. A candidate’s salary is determined by various factors, including but not limited to education, relevant work experience, skills, and certifications. Salary ranges may vary based on geographic location and market conditions.

Benefits: Live an Extraordinary Life

• Balance life through a compressed work schedule: Most of our team follows a flexible, compressed work schedule that allows for every other Friday off - giving you a dedicated day to accomplish things in your personal life without using vacation time.
• Enjoy enhanced work flexibility, including a hybrid arrangement: You have options for where and when you work. Our Together with Flexibility model allows you to work 60% in-office and 40% remote, with Monday and Tuesday as common in-office days, dependent on team and position needs.
• Take time to recharge: You get paid time off to support work-life balance and keep motivated.
• Prioritize wellness: Stay healthy with medical, dental, and vision coverage with wellness incentives and benefits plus a variety of optional supplemental benefits.
• Better together: Coverage for partners, gender-affirming care and health support, and family formation support.
• Build your financial future: Build financial stability with an industry-leading 401(k) retirement savings plan. For most employees, we put in 5 percent whether you contribute or not, and match your contributions on top of that.
• Advance your education: Tuition assistance is available to pursue higher education.

A Work Environment Where You Succeed

For brilliant minds in science, technology, engineering and business operations, Battelle is the place to do the greatest good by solving humanity’s most pressing challenges and creating a safer, healthier and more secure world.

• Apply your talent to challenging and meaningful projects
• Receive select funding to pursue ideas in scientific and technological discovery
• Partner with world-class experts in a collaborative environment
• Nurture and develop the next generation of scientific leaders
• Give back to and improve our communities

Vaccinations & Safety Protocols

Battelle may require employees, based on job duties, work location, and/or its clients’ requirements to follow certain safety protocols and to be vaccinated against a variety of viruses, bacteria, and diseases as a condition of employment and continued employment and to provide documentation that they are fully vaccinated. If applicable, Battelle will provide reasonable accommodations based on a qualified disability or medical condition through the Americans with Disabilities Act or the Rehabilitation Act or for a sincerely held religious belief under Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 (and related state laws).

Battelle is an equal opportunity employer. We provide employment and opportunities for advancement, compensation, training, and growth according to individual merit, without regard to race, color, religion, sex (including pregnancy), national origin, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, marital status, age, genetic information, disability, veteran-status veteran or military status, or any other characteristic protected under applicable Federal, state, or local law. Our goal is for each staff member to have the opportunity to grow to the limits of their abilities and to achieve personal and organizational objectives. We will support positive programs for equal treatment of all staff and full utilization of all qualified employees at all levels within Battelle.

The above statements are intended to describe the nature and level of work being performed by people assigned to this job. They are not intended to be an exhaustive list of all responsibilities, activities and skills required of staff members.

No statement herein is intended to imply any authorities to commit Battelle unless special written permission is granted by Battelle's Legal Department.

For more information about our other openings, please visit www.battelle.org/careers