Senior Financial Analyst – Utilities O&M (Contract to Hire)

Blue Star Partners LLC; Columbus (OH); Hybrid; USD 82,656 - 96,432; Full time

Job summary

Blue Star Partners LLC is looking for a Senior Financial Analyst with strong FP&A experience to support operations and maintenance forecasting and budgeting. This contract-to-hire position allows for remote work on Mondays and Fridays, and is based in Columbus, OH or Merrillville, IN. Candidates should have 5-8+ years in a similar role, be proficient in Excel, and able to convey financial insights effectively. Bachelor's degree required; MBA preferred. Additional experience in real estate or utilities is a plus.

Qualifications

• 5–8+ years of FP&A or financial analysis experience in utilities, energy, or infrastructure.
• Hands-on experience with Operations & Maintenance (O&M) financial planning.
• Ability to explain financial insights to non-finance audiences.

Responsibilities

• Lead financial planning, forecasting, and variance analysis for assigned utility O&M cost centers.
• Prepare financial presentations and reports for executive leadership.
• Identify process improvement opportunities in forecasting and financial governance.

Skills

FP&A experience

Financial modeling

Excel proficiency

Analytical skills

Communication skills

Education

Bachelor’s degree in Finance, Accounting, Economics, or related field

Tools

Power BI

SAP

Oracle

Hyperion

Job description

Job Title: Senior Financial Analyst – Utilities O&M (Contract to Hire)

Location: Columbus, OH or Merrillville, IN

Pay Rate: $60–$70/hour

Work Schedule: Remote Mondays & Fridays; Onsite Tuesdays–Thursdays

Contract Length: 1 Year (Strong possibility of extension or full-time conversion)

Contract Type: W-2 Only (U.S. Citizens – No visa sponsorships)

Position Summary

We are seeking a Senior Financial Analyst with strong FP&A experience to support Operations & Maintenance (O&M) forecasting, budgeting, and variance analysis within the utilities industry. This role will play a critical part in the financial planning cycle, working closely with stakeholders across real estate, facilities, and operational functions. The analyst will support leadership with actionable insights, scenario modeling, and reporting to help drive efficient financial operations.

This is a contract-to-hire role, ideal for professionals with strong experience in FP&A within utilities, energy, or infrastructure sectors. A background in real estate and facilities management is a strong plus.

Key Responsibilities

• Lead financial planning, forecasting, and variance analysis for assigned utility O&M cost centers
• Partner with business units and operational leaders to gather inputs and support cost management
• Track actual vs. budgeted spend and provide monthly performance reporting with insights and recommendations
• Support development of multi-year financial plans and O&M investment strategies
• Prepare financial presentations and reports for executive leadership and planning committees
• Develop driver-based models to support scenario planning and cost optimization
• Identify process improvement opportunities in forecasting, tracking, and financial governance
• Assist with ad hoc analyses and special projects related to real estate, facility spend, and capital/O&M alignment

Required Qualifications

• 5–8+ years of FP&A or financial analysis experience, preferably in utilities, energy, or infrastructure
• Hands-on experience with Operations & Maintenance (O&M) financial planning
• Proficient in Excel, financial modeling, and reporting tools (e.g., Power BI, SAP, Oracle, Hyperion, or similar)
• Strong analytical, problem-solving, and communication skills
• Experience working with operational leaders, engineers, or real estate teams on cost control
• Ability to explain financial insights to non-finance audiences and drive data-informed decisions
• Bachelor’s degree in Finance, Accounting, Economics, or related field (MBA preferred)

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience supporting real estate and facilities financial operations
• Familiarity with utility industry regulations and cost recovery frameworks
• Experience with capital vs. O&M allocation, lease accounting, or asset lifecycle management
• Comfortable working in fast-paced, matrixed organizations and collaborating across finance and operations