Project Cost Analyst/ Project Cost Analyst Sr

aep; Shreveport (LA); On-site; USD 55,000 - 85,000; Full time

Job summary

AEP is seeking a Project Cost Analyst to coordinate cost analysis and controls for multiple projects, including budgeting in corporate systems, forecasts, and KPI tracking. You will support PMs and coordinate with external vendors to integrate costs into project budgets.

Responsibilities include inputting budgets, performing forecast updates, variance analysis, and contributing to SOX activities. You will mentor junior staff and help develop standardized tools and processes for project cost

Qualifications

• Progressive experience in project cost controls or cost analyst roles.
• Experience inputting budgets in corporate systems and forecasting.
• Ability to perform variance analysis and trend identification.

Responsibilities

• Coordinate project meetings with team members and PMs.
• Prepare forecasts of spending and cash flows; monitor variances.
• Input budgets and track costs across multiple projects.
• Support SOX activities and annual budgeting inputs.
• Develop KPIs and provide variance reporting.
• Mentor and train lower level staff; share best practices.
• Coordinate with external contractors and vendors on budgets.

Skills

Budgeting

Forecasting

Cost analysis

Variance analysis

SOX compliance

KPI development

Training & mentoring

Education

High School Diploma or GED

Associate's degree in related field

Bachelor's degree in related field

Job description

Job Posting End Date 09-12-2026 Please note the job posting will close on the day before the posting end date.

Job Summary

This role will be responsible for coordinating project cost analysis and controls for team activities supporting the Project Managers (PMs), or other staff, including overseeing the cost reporting for multiple projects and monitoring project budgets to assure accurate depiction of project cost on intermediate projects under some supervision. Responsibilities include input of budgets within the AEP corporate systems, providing ongoing forecast updates and variance analysis at the program and project levels, input and tracking of key performance indicators, and working collaboratively with project teams to implement project management best practices throughout the project lifecycle. Provides communication and develops partnerships with internal and/or external customers. As an experienced member of the team, expectations include conducting training, supporting continuous process improvement efforts and developing tools and processes utilized within the work group. Responsible for the creation of work orders and having direct interface in coordinating with external contractors and vendors to integrate these parties into the overall project budget and schedule.

Job Description

What You'll Do:

• Coordinate project meetings and work with project team members on project activities.
• Support the PM in the preparation and updating of project documentation and planning.
• Prepare forecasts of project spending and cash flows, budget variance monitoring, cost tracking/analysis.
• Depending on business unit needs, provide analysis and verification for Sarbanes Oxley (SOX) activities and assist with providing input to annual budget, capital forecasts, five-year plan and improvement requisitions. Perform estimate vs. actuals analysis.
• Collaborate with Project Management (PM), and other vested parties to perform variance reporting and/or establish original baseline budgets that are time-phased with dates from the system schedule.
• Create project breakdown structures.
• Perform some departmental organizational functions when necessary and as assigned to ensure the smooth operation of project functions.
• This might include tracking, analyzing, and submitting verifying information for unvouchered liabilities (UVLs), keeping project system records current and complete, and coordinating the work order process related to a project from creation of the work order through in-servicing and closing.
• Assist in the contracting process.
• This might include bidding activities, analysis of cost, cost tracking, etc. Communicate with project team, resources, and other internal and external stakeholders on various budgetary items. Work with others in both supplying information and seeking assistance as necessary.
• Works independently in resolving moderately complex problems. Perform varied assignments demonstrating technical knowledge and analytical techniques to solution of problems or analysis. Apply problem solving skills to resolve technical problems and initiate solution techniques.
• Develop and compile Key Performance Indicators (KPIs) that are measurable outcomes (scope, budgeting, schedule performance, cost performance, forecasting, etc.)Providing strong teamwork with colleagues, vendors and/or customers and responding to customer/vendor inquiries, resolving work order issues and/or implementing action plans in a fast-paced, results-oriented team.
• Lead the administration of the AEP project/work management organizational standards and assist in the management of projects to those standards. Adhere to the guidance and standards put forth by the AEP Project Management Governance Committee.Provide training and guidance to lower level employees as appropriate.
• Demonstrates the development as a subject matter expert in several areas. Ability to mentor, develop, and guide lower level PC Analyst through a training plan if appointed as mentor/trainer by supervision. Validation that training is complete and is being applied.
• Recommend improvements that enhance the role, project performance, and AEP's performance in regard to service and product delivery as well as environmental and community stewardship.
• Depending on the assigned business unit, advise and counsel all key contractors, vendors, suppliers, and/or less experienced project cost controls team members associated with the programs and projects to obtain all project performance related data and integrate into a total project performance analysis.

What we're looking for:

Project Cost Analyst(Grade 6)

Education

• High School Diploma or GED, four (4) years' experience as a Project Cost Analyst Associate (grade 005).
• With a qualified Associate's degree, three (3) years' qualified experience.
• With a qualified Bachelor's degree, one (1) year of qualified experience. Qualified degrees must be in a related field from an accredited university or college and could in