Cost Specialist

ONSITE - SPARKS, NV - 6 MONTH CONTRACT TO HIRE - FLEXIBLE PAY - RELOCATION AVAILABLE - PER DIEM AVAILABLE

As a Senior Cost Specialist, you will play a critical role in optimizing and controlling the total cost management program on mega Projects. You will be responsible for monitoring and managing the Total Cost Management program, including cost management strategies, analyzing financial and cost engineering data, change management and working collaboratively with various departments to drive accurate, consistent reporting and analysis targeting cost reduction and efficiency initiatives. Your expertise will contribute to the overall profitability and competitiveness of our Project and organization.

Key Responsibilities:

1. Cost Management: Execute and maintain a comprehensive cost management program for the mining and metals project, including cost tracking, forecasting, and cost reduction plans. Conduct cost analysis and cost trending to identify variations between budgeted and actual costs. Analyze historical project data to develop cost trends and benchmarks for current and future projects.
2. Change Management: Support the Project Change Management program in a multi-interface fast tracked mega project. This includes internal and external change management (cost & schedule). Support the evaluation and quantify the impact of project changes, including scope changes, variations, and contract amendments. Assess the cost implications of change orders and negotiate with contractors or suppliers when necessary.
3. Budgeting and Forecasting: Provide regular forecasts of project costs to ensure alignment with financial goals. Develop and maintain cost forecasts for ongoing projects. Utilize cost data and trends to predict potential cost overruns or savings and provide recommendations for mitigation. Collaborate with project managers to ensure that cost controls are in place and budgets are adhered to.
4. Variance Analysis: Monitor actual costs against budgets and analyze variances, providing recommendations for corrective actions as needed.
5. Performance Metrics & Reporting: Track key performance indicators (KPIs) related to cost management and provide regular reports to senior management. Track a cost management reporting plan (include weekly and monthly reporting/ presentations). Communicate cost trends and potential issues to project teams and senior management.
6. Compliance: Ensure compliance with financial regulations and industry standards in cost reporting and management.
7. Continuous Improvement: Stay up-to-date with industry best practices and emerging cost management technologies to drive ongoing process improvement. Implement cost control best practices and seek opportunities for process improvements.
8. Supporting the amount of deliverables on a day to day basis, support on change management, working with their internal cost management tool

Qualifications:

• Bachelor’s degree in business, Data Analytics, Project Management, Construction Management, or relevant mega project experience
• Experience (typically 5+ years) in cost management, budgeting, and forecast analysis, ideally in the complex industrial process industry.
• Strong knowledge cost management processes and cost structures on a large scale EPC project.
• Data analytical background
• Industry background: oil and gas, mining, energy, manufacturing, heavy industrial
• Proficiency in financial modeling and cost analysis tools.
• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills, with the ability to collaborate effectively across departments, in ambiguous environments
• Analytical mindset with attention to detail. Agile in learning and utilizing new software

Plusses:

• Have an estimating background and experience: evaluate change, cost estimates, etc.