Senior Cost Analyst - Construction

Walbridge; Detroit (MI); On-site; USD 90,000 - 130,000; Full time

Job summary

Walbridge is seeking a Senior Cost Analyst-Construction in Detroit to lead cost control activities across complex project portfolios. You will manage budgets, forecasts, cost-to-complete updates, and variance analyses, partnering with PMs, estimators, and accounting to maintain alignment between revenue, costs, and contracts.

The role demands strong analytical capabilities, effective communication with project teams and leadership, and experience with cost control systems such as CMiC.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree or equivalent experience in finance, accounting, business, construction management or related field.
• 5+ years in cost control, project accounting, or financial management on project-based work, with at least 2 in construction.
• Strong analytical and problem-solving skills with attention to detail.
• Effective communication with project teams and leadership.
• Experience with cost control systems and financial reporting tools.

Responsibilities

• Manage cost control activities on assigned projects, including budgets, forecasts, cost-to-complete updates, and variance analysis.
• Monitor project financial performance, identify cost risks, trends, and opportunities.
• Maintain accurate cost reports, contingency logs, and change tracking documentation.
• Develop monthly Owner billings and process subcontractor pay applications.
• Partner with PMs, Estimators, and Accounting to establish budgets; update forecasts regularly.
• Prepare and review detailed cost reports for project teams and leadership.
• Perform variance analysis between actual, budgeted, and forecasted costs with explanations and recommendations.
• Support leadership with cost intelligence and month-end close activities.
• Supervise and mentor Cost Analysts; ensure quality and consistency of cost control deliverables.
• Identify opportunities to improve cost control processes and reporting accuracy.

Skills

Cost control

Analytical skills

Communication

Cost reporting

Financial analysis

Education

Bachelor’s degree in finance, accounting, business, construction management or related field

Tools

CMiC

Job description

Overview

The Opportunity

As Senior Cost Analyst-Construction, you will be responsible for managing project cost control activities to ensure accurate financial reporting, proactive cost management, and compliance with company cost control standards. This role partners closely with Project Managers, Estimators, Accounting, and executive leadership to support strong financial performance across assigned projects.

This position is ideal for a detail-driven professional who thrives in a fast-paced, project-based environment and can translate complex cost data into clear, actionable insights.

Location

You will work from our headquarters in Detroit, MI.

Responsibilities

Project Cost Management

• Manage cost control activities on assigned projects, including budgets, forecasts, cost-to-complete updates, and variance analysis.
• Monitor project financial performance and identify cost risks, trends, and opportunities.
• Maintain accurate cost reports, contingency logs, and change tracking documentation.
• Develop monthly Owner billings and process subcontractor pay applications.

Budgeting & Forecasting

• Partner with Project Managers, Estimators, and Accounting to establish and maintain accurate project budgets.
• Regularly update forecasts to reflect current project conditions and approved changes.
• Ensure alignment between revenue, costs, and contract requirements.

Reporting & Financial Analysis

• Prepare and review detailed cost reports for project teams and leadership.
• Perform variance analysis between actual, budgeted, and forecasted costs, providing clear explanations and recommendations.
• Support leadership with timely and reliable cost intelligence.

Billing & Change Management

• Support preparation and review of owner billings, subcontractor pay applications, and related financial documentation.
• Track approved and pending change orders and ensure timely incorporation into cost systems.
• Collaborate with Accounting during month-end close, audits, and reconciliations.

Team Leadership & Supervision

• Supervise and support 1 Cost Analyst, providing day-to-day guidance, workload prioritization, and technical oversight.
• Review analysts’ cost reports, forecasts, variance analyses, and supporting documentation for accuracy and completeness.
• Promote consistency, accountability, and quality across cost control deliverables.
• Partner with Cost Control leadership on performance feedback, development planning, and continuous improvement initiatives.

Standards, Compliance & Team Support

• Ensure compliance with corporate cost control guidelines, procedures, and reporting standards.
• Identify opportunities to improve cost control processes and reporting accuracy.
• Provide guidance and mentorship to Cost Control Analysts and Coordinators as needed.

Qualifications

To qualify for the role, you must have

• Bachelor’s degree in finance, Accounting, Business, Construction Management, or a related field, or equivalent experience.
• 5 or more years’ experience in cost control, project accounting, or financial management in a project-based environment, at least 2 of those must be in construction
• Strong analytical and problem‑solving skills with attention to detail.
• Ability to communicate effectively with project teams and leadership.
• Experience working with cost control systems and financial reporting tools.

Ideally, you’ll also have

• Proficiency with CMiC or comparable project cost systems.
• Ability to build trust with project teams, executives, finance, and clients.
• Strong process ownership mindset.
• Ability to influence across functions and solve complex financial challenges.
• High emotional intelligence with a collaborative leadership style.

Why Join Us

• Play a critical role in driving project financial performance
• Work closely with project and executive leadership
• Opportunity to grow within an established Cost Control organization
• Contribute to continuous improvement of enterprise cost management practices