Cost Analyst (00592)

About the role

PMA Cost Analyst Utility Projects

PMA is actively recruiting for a Cost Analyst dedicated to a portfolio of high-profile utility projects. This position functions as a critical entry point into the fields of project controls and project management. The role provides a structured pathway to develop core competencies while contributing to essential infrastructure initiatives. You will own the cost insight for utility initiatives, guiding decisions from data to forecasts while translating complex financial inputs into clear narratives for diverse stakeholders. Success in this role requires the ability to distill intricate data sets into actionable intelligence for non-financial audiences, ensuring financial transparency across the project lifecycle. You will build a foundational understanding of project controls within the context of high-visibility engineering and construction programs. The role demands meticulous attention to detail and strong analytical rigor to support proactive risk management and informed strategic planning. You will be instrumental in establishing robust reporting cadences that provide leadership with the foresight needed to manage project performance effectively.

Key facts

What you'll do

• Chart the intake processes for project data, systematically capturing and verifying financial information at every project stage.
• Shape budget structures by modeling multiple scenarios and validating alignment with established financial governance rules.
• Examine cost trends and variances to highlight key drivers that affect overall project financial health.
• Identify deviations early and assess their potential impact on the budget, providing timely insights to stakeholders.
• Coordinate with engineering and field teams to confirm that assumptions behind forecasts remain current and accurate.
• Guide forecasting updates, capturing the impacts of changes and communicating the resulting implications to key decision-makers.
• Establish robust reporting cadences designed to track key metrics and reveal patterns early for leadership consumption.
• Build collaboration with partners across the organization to clarify the cost implications of design and schedule choices.
• Confirm that deliverables meet rigorous audit standards, providing support for internal controls and specific client expectations.
• Clarify the financial trade-offs of design and schedule decisions through a consultative approach that fosters shared ownership of financial outcomes.
• Ensure compliance with documentation requirements that are non-negotiable for audit and control objectives.
• Contribute to the integrity of project financial data by maintaining rigorous validation processes across all reporting functions.

Requirements

• Bring three to five years of dedicated experience analyzing costs within project-based settings.
• Ensure a practical understanding of budgeting, forecasting, and financial reconciliation through hands-on application.
• Demonstrate proficiency with planning software, specifically Primavera P6 and Microsoft Project for scheduling and activity management.
• Master Microsoft Excel to perform complex calculations, conduct validation, and generate structured reporting.
• Use advanced spreadsheet skills daily to maintain data integrity and support decision-making processes.
• Convey financial insights effectively to finance and operations audiences through strong written and verbal communication.
• Present data clearly and concisely as a core job function that supports cross-functional decision-making.
• Be eligible for employment in the United States without the need for sponsorship.
• Maintain eligibility to work in the United States without sponsorship as a mandatory requirement for this role.
• Commit to following all project financial governance rules and standards as part of routine duties.
• Apply a high level of expertise to complex financial data sets to ensure accuracy and reliability.
• Support proactive risk management by identifying and assessing budget deviations as they emerge.

Practical notes

• Prospective candidates should prior to submission.
• Verification of documents and requirements is recommended to ensure a complete application.
• This is a full-time engagement based in South Plainfield, New Jersey.
• The position requires United States employment eligibility without sponsorship.
• Compensation is offered at $73,000 USD on an annual basis.
• Candidates must validate their eligibility and documentation before proceeding with the application.
• Travel is not specified within the provided source information for this role.
• Visa sponsorship is not available for this position as eligibility must exist prior to application.
• No specific deadline for application submission is outlined in the provided source documentation.
• Hours are defined as full-time based on the engagement type listed for this position.