Project Cost Analyst Sr - Nuclear Dev - Columbus, OH

AEP; Columbus (OH); On-site; USD 88,000 - 116,000; Full time

Job summary

American Electric Power is seeking a Senior Project Cost Analyst in Columbus, OH to coordinate project cost analysis and controls, overseeing budget reporting and forecasting for large, complex projects. This role requires close collaboration with PMs and external stakeholders to ensure accurate cost depiction and timely updates.

The position emphasizes developing training, leading process improvements, and creating tools to enhance performance and governance across project teams.

Qualifications

• High school diploma or GED with 4+ years in project cost analyst role.
• Associate's degree requires 6 years experience; Bachelor's degree 4 years.
• Experience with accounting principles and cost management systems.

Responsibilities

• Coordinate project cost analysis and budget tracking for multiple projects.
• Prepare forecasts of spending and cash flows; monitor budget variance.
• Develop and implement KPIs and reporting tools for project performance.
• Train staff and mentor junior analysts; support continuous process improvements.
• Interface with PMs, vendors, and clients to align costs with schedules.

Education

High School Diploma or GED

Associate's degree

Bachelor's degree

Tools

MS Office

Project management systems

Job description

Location: Columbus, OH

Category : Project Management/Controls

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 large and complex projects under minimal 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 external customers. As a senior member of the team, expectations include developing/conducting training, leading continuous process improvement efforts and developing tools and processes utilized within the work group. Depending on the assigned business unit, this position might also be responsible for 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:

Education:

High School Diploma or GED, (4) years' experience as a Project Cost Analyst (grade 006).

With a qualified Associate's degree, (6) years' qualified experience. With a qualified Bachelor's degree, (4) year of qualified experience.

Qualified degrees must be in a related field from an accredited university or college and could include Accounting, Business, Construction Management, Engineering, Technology, or Project Management.

Experience:

Qualified experience includes utility specific operations knowledge/experience with a good working knowledge of work processes and procedures. Experience should be in design, operations, planning, project management, cost tracking analysis, forecasting, project budgets, working with accounting principles, and/or construction or maintenance of systems and/or equipment.

License/Certifications:

A professional or trade certification such as a CCMP, CETa, IQCP, PMP, RMP, etc. is not required at this level. A certification is required to progress to the Principle (grade 008) level of this job family if you have a high school diploma/GED or non-qualified higher education degree. Otherwise, a certification is preferred at the Principle level.

OTHER REQUIREMENTS:

1. Demonstrate ability to manage time effectively and efficiently and demonstrate organizational and planning skills, as well an aptitude for accuracy, attention to detail and ability to achieve goals.

2. Demonstrates an advanced level of technical knowledge related to writing and verbal communication.

3. Proficient in use of computer and MS Office products including Word, Excel, Outlook and PowerPoint.

4. Team player with ability to work and collaborate well with others.

5. Some travel, including overnight, may be required.

6. Understand and support the policies, values, principles, structure and behavior of AEP.

7. Safely and effectively perform light physical duties at various work sites including home and AEP locations in varying conditions.

8. Experience with corporate accounting and project cost management systems, construction environments, earned value management, and scheduling systems is required.

9. Availabilityto work overtime, call-out overtime and shift work may be required depending on business unit.

10. Demonstrates strong interpersonal skills backed by an enthusiastic approach and a diligent client focus.

11. Ability to interface and work well with different levels of individual contributors and management is required.

12. For nuclear positions, work performed at nuclear power sites may involve work in hazardous areas and possible radiation exposure within the limits prescribed by the NRC.

What You'll Get: Project Cost Analyst Sr (Grade 7) - $88k - $116k

At AEP, we’re more than just an energy company — we’re a team of dedicated professionals committed to delivering safe, reliable, and innovative energy solutions. Guided by our mission to put the customer first, we strive to exceed expectations by listening, responding, and continuously improving the way we serve our communities. If you're passionate about making a meaningful impact and being part of a forward-thinking organization, this is the company for you!

AMERICAN ELECTRIC POWER (on-site)

$88k - $116k Year

#AEPCareers

#LI-ONSITE

Compensation

$87,633.00 - $109,543.00

Physical Demands

The Physical Demand Level for this job is: S – Sedentary Work: Exerting up to 10 pounds of force occasionally (Occasionally: activity or condition exists up to 1/3 of the time) and/or a negligible amount of force frequently. (Frequently: activity or condition exists from 1/3 to 2/3 of the time) to lift, carry, push, pull or otherwise move objects, including the human body. Sedentary work involves sitting most of the time but may involve walking or standing for brief periods of time. Jobs are sedentary if walking and standing are required only occasionally, and all other sedentary criteria are met.

Equal Employment Opportunity

It is hereby reaffirmed that it is the policy of American Electric Power (AEP) to provide Equal Employment Opportunity in all respects of the employer-employee relationship including recruiting, hiring, upgrading and promotion, conditions and privileges of employment, company sponsored training programs, educational assistance, social and recreational programs, compensation, benefits, transfers, discipline, layoffs and termination of employment to all employees and applicants without discrimination because of race, color, religion, sex (including pregnancy, gender identity, and sexual orientation), national origin, age, veteran or military status, disability, genetic information, or any other basis prohibited by applicable law. When required by law, we might record certain information or applicants for employment may be invited to voluntarily disclose protected characteristics.

“Knowing that I am part of team that is making the power grid safer and more reliable gives me a real sense of responsibility and enthusiasm for coming to work every day.”

Manage, or assist in the management of, base, intermediate, and/or complex projects providing leadership, direction, coordination, and effective communication to initiate , plan, execute, monitor and control, and close projects in a safe, efficient, economical, risk-balanced approach to achieve short- and long-range goals and to obtain maximum customer satisfaction. Provide project transparency and develop relationships and effectively communicate with all stakeholders including internal customers, external customers, team members, suppliers, contractors, vendors, and industry peers, enabling them to make sound business decisions. Enable and promote team level continuous improvement activities that increase quality and optimize delivery of value.

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 large and complex projects under minimal 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 external customers. As a senior member of the team, expectations include developing/conducting training, leading continuous process improvement efforts and developing tools and processes utilized within the work group. Depending on the assigned business unit, this position might also be responsible for 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.

This role will be responsible for coordinating team activities and supporting the Project Managers (PMs). With minimal supervision, perform role as scheduler and/or commodity tracker for major projects. Support the development and analysis of a wide range of scope of work types, especially complex schedules using the assigned system. Must be self-motivated, an excellent communicator, and team focused individual able to demonstrate competency in scheduling techniques and analyses on all scope of work aspects. Additional duties include schedule maintenance, collecting progress data, developing and implementing scope of work schedule/status reports, and providing consistent, accurate information to the senior management team. The candidate must be able to interface with site execution teams, contractors, and AEP senior management.

AEP offers generous time off, competitive pay, and educational opportunities to help employees advance their careers.

Our culture is purpose-driven and team-oriented: we combine innovation with a customer-first focus to deliver reliable energy and brighter futures.