Senior Cost Analyst
Summary
Matrix Service Company is seeking a Senior Cost Analyst (remote) to track project costs against budgets and forecasts, build cost models, and analyze variances and overruns for hydropower and infrastructure capital projects, partnering with Finance, PMs, and the Head of PMO. Core tools include Excel, ERP systems (SAP, Oracle, NetSuite), and MS Project/Primavera P6.
MATRIX is seeking a detail-oriented Senior Cost Analyst to support the financial performance and cost control of capital projects within the hydropower and infrastructure sector. This role will track project costs against budgets and forecasts, develop cost models and estimates, analyze variances and potential overruns, and provide actionable financial insights to Project Managers and leadership. The Senior Cost Analyst will work closely with Finance, Project Managers, and the Head of PMO while supporting budgeting, forecasting, contract and purchase order tracking, invoice and change-order review, and the evaluation of cost-control systems.
ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS & RESPONSIBLITIES:
- Track, analyze, and reports project costs against budgets, forecasts, and financial targets.
- Develop and maintain cost models, cost estimates, and detailed cost breakdowns for ongoing and upcoming projects.
- Monitor expenditures, labor hours, purchase orders, and contracts to ensure alignment with project plans.
- Identifies cost variances, trends, and potential overruns, and provide recommendations for corrective actions.
- Prepare regular cost reports, dashboards, and financial summaries for project managers and leadership.
- Support project scheduling and planning teams by providing cost data and financial insights.
- Reviews of contractor invoices and change orders to validate accuracy and compliance with contract terms.
- Assists with developing annual budgets, forecasts, and long-range financial projections for capital or outage projects.
- Work closely with the Finance team (currently one person), Project Managers, and Head of PMO.
- Meet monthly with PMs; weekly with Head of PMO.
- Provide input on evaluation and selection of a cost-control system.
- Perform primarily office and non-manual work.
- Perform work related to the management or general business operations of MATRIX or its customers/clients, while exercising discretion and independent judgment with respect to matters of significance to MATRIX and its customers/clients.
- Interface with managers or head of a unit/department requiring the integration of multiple functional organizations.
- Use “lessons learned” to improve quality of MATRIX’s future projects; make recommendations to MATRIX as to the implementations of future policies and procedures.
QUALIFICATIONS:
REQUIRED:
- Bachelor’s degree in finance, accounting, economics, engineering, or construction management. Equivalent work experience will be considered.
- 2 to 5 years of experience in project cost analysis, financial analysis, or project controls
- Strong skills in cost estimation, budgeting, forecasting, and variance analysis
- Ability to interpret engineering scopes, drawings, and contractor bids
- Proficiency in Excel (advanced formulas, pivot tables, modeling)
- Experience with ERP systems (SAP, Oracle, NetSuite)
- Familiarity with project management software (MS Project, Primavera P6)
- Understanding of capital project lifecycles (design → procurement → construction → commissioning)
- Knowledge of construction cost structures and contract types (T&M, lump sum, GMP)
- The ability to communicate well both verbally and written as a business necessity to ensure the safe and efficient operations of business. Clear, concise, and effective fluency in the English language is essential.
PREFERRED:
- Experience in hydropower, renewable energy, utilities, or heavy infrastructure
- AACE certifications (CCP, CEP, CCT)
- Familiarity with FERC or regulated utility accounting
- Experience with turbine/generator upgrades or dam infrastructure projects
- Skill with Power BI or Tableau
- Experience integrating cost and schedule using Primavera P6
- Knowledge of environmental permitting and compliance cost structures
- Background in asset lifecycle or long-term CAPEX modeling