Senior Cost Analyst

As a Senior Cost Analyst at Sargent & Lundy, your main responsibilities include monitoring, analyzing, and reporting on project cost performance. You will work directly with project management and client personnel to develop budgets and cost metrics for various capital infrastructure projects. Additionally, you'll support month-end closing processes, establish cost baselines, analyze actual project costs, and provide insights to help drive decision-making.

To step into the role of Senior Cost Analyst at Sargent & Lundy, you'll need at least seven years of project experience and a graduate degree. Strong communication skills are essential, along with proficiency in MS Office, particularly advanced Excel skills. Familiarity with project controls methodologies will greatly benefit you, and while experience with SAP is valued, it is not a strict requirement.

The work environment for a Senior Cost Analyst at Sargent & Lundy employs a hybrid model, allowing a blend of in-office and remote work. You'll spend three days a week collaborating in the Phoenix office and have two days to work from the comfort of your home. This flexible arrangement fosters a better work-life balance while still promoting strong teamwork on critical capital projects.

At Sargent & Lundy, professional development is taken seriously. Senior Cost Analysts have access to continuous learning opportunities, including tuition assistance for further education, training for professional designations like AACE or PMI, and mentorship programs that encourage skill growth. The company values motivated individuals eager to enhance their expertise within the project management field.

Sargent & Lundy offers a comprehensive benefits package to Senior Cost Analysts that includes medical, dental, and vision coverage, along with generous paid time off. Additional perks such as 401(k) matching, employee assistance programs, flexible work arrangements, and support for professional licensure make their benefits stand out. The commitment to work-life balance and employee well-being is reflected in their numerous awards for culture and compensation.

When answering this question, detail specific projects you've worked on, highlighting the tools you used for cost analysis. Discuss how you monitored performance against budgets and what methodologies you implemented to ensure timely reporting to stakeholders.

Explain your approach to budget development, including collaboration with project stakeholders and utilizing historical data. Share examples of how you track expenses and document variances, along with your communication strategies when discussing budget issues with project teams.

List tools you've used, emphasizing your expertise in MS Excel and any other project management or accounting software. If applicable, provide examples of how these tools enhanced your ability to manage project costs effectively.

Provide a process you follow for addressing discrepancies, including how you analyze data to determine the causes. Share specific instances where your interventions led to successful resolution of cost overruns.

When discussing a challenging project, focus on the obstacles you faced in managing costs. Detail the strategies you implemented, including stakeholder engagement and cost tracking methods, that ultimately contributed to the project's financial success.

Outline your experience in creating cost baselines by integrating team estimates and funding requirements. Discuss how you regularly monitored these baselines, adjusted forecasts as necessary, and communicated these to team members.

Discuss your time management techniques, such as prioritizing based on project phase or deadlines. Provide examples of how you've managed competing deadlines to ensure consistent and accurate cost analysis across projects.

Highlight your communication skills by explaining how you simplify complex financial information for various stakeholders. Share an example where your communication style helped foster understanding and collaboration.

Talk about the resources you leverage, such as professional organizations, webinars, or continuing education courses. Share your passion for learning and how it influences your work as a Senior Cost Analyst.

Emphasize the importance of collaboration with project managers, engineers, and clients in your role. Provide an example where teamwork was essential in achieving a project's financial goals, underscoring your interpersonal skills.