Sr Project Controls Estimator-ComEd

Job Description

Description

Primary Purpose

Actively participates in the accurate forecasting of New Business Projects.  Works with New Business Team to quantify expected project costs.  Develop and organize estimates and analysis for both internal and external use.  Perform analysis of project actuals against latest estimates and incorporate results into estimating methodology to ensure continuous improvement of estimate accuracy. Contribute to the development of short-term and long-range business planning.  This position will also be utilized to adequately fulfill ad hoc requests from various internal and external sources to support decision-making. This includes providing direct input and support to directors, department heads, and line personnel in assigned area.

Position may be required to work extended hours, including 24 x 7 coverage during storms or other energy delivery emergencies.

Primary Duties and Accountabilities

• Works with Project Managers to ensure that estimates are properly understood, challenged, and reviewed.  Prepare for and facilitate estimate challenge meetings with all stakeholders (Planning, Engineering, Project Manager, Construction Manager, etc.) to ensure that all stakeholders have had an opportunity to provide critical feedback.  Strong understanding of utility operations including Transmission, Gas, Substation, and Electrical Distribution.  Demonstrated ability to effectively facilitate meetings, problem solve and drive to resolution.  Ability to handle conflict.  Interfaces as required with category owners, resource management, and financial management. 
• Conduct modeling, forecasting, trending, variance analysis, and other estimate-related financial and implementation analysis. 
• Supports Financial close process, reviews contracting and contributions in aid of construction (CIAC); works with project closings and accurate recording of project costs
• Assist in preparation of various reports and data requests for internal and external reporting customers. Routinely communicate actual performance compared to budget/LE
• Participates in the annual budgeting process and assist in updating long-range and budget planning models.
• Enhance or automate current reports to drive team efficiencies
• Opportunity to lead or support external/internal customer presentations or projects

Qualifications

Minimum Qualifications

· Academic/Formal Training: Bachelor’s degree in Finance, Business, or Technical Field.

· Job Related/Experience: 5-8 years related experience, or in lieu of Bachelor’s degree, a minimum of 9-12 years relevant experience is required. Specialized Skills, Knowledge, License Requirements/Registrations, Etc.

· Ability to effectively interface with all levels of management

· Ability to facilitate project meetings with all stakeholders in office or field environment to develop a project estimate

· Strong understanding of applicable standards, methods, processes and practices, business fundamentals, and performance metrics in the electric and gas, distribution, transmission, and substation areas

· Create project estimates up to a cost of 300 million

· · Prepare detailed analysis between older estimates and recent ones to determine the exact cost differences and communicate the reasons to executive level budget approvers

· General proficiency in standard software applications (e.g., Microsoft Word, Excel, Access, PowerPoint), specialized business technologies and applications (e.g., workforce management, project management, Asset Suite 8, EPS, business modeling, forecasting) to retrieve and analyze data in support of business needs. Expert understanding and ability in Excel.

· Ability to provide detailed analysis and apply managerial accounting concepts, customer intelligence gathering, forecasting, staff planning, scheduling, analytical and statistical problem solving, financial, accounting, business and budget analysis

· Advanced analytical skills for project evaluation including analysis of projects with economic, financial, risk and decision analysis. Ability to quickly estimate several scenarios to determine least cost technical solution

· Customer driven with excellent oral and written communications skills and general analytical, problem solving and project management skills. Strong knowledge of the practices, procedures and principles of performance analysis (trending, root cause and gap analysis) benchmarking and audit compliance

· Ability to analyze organizational data and problems, interpret and recommend alternative courses of action, and implement intervention strategies to attain performance targets

Preferred Qualifications

· Bachelor’s degree with some relevant post-undergraduate coursework.

· 5-8 years estimating experience in electric / gas transmission, distribution, and substation industry

· This is an individual contributor position that woks under general supervision and frequently performs non-routine work. This position is expected to resolve most questions and problems through interaction with internal and/or external stakeholders, executives, directors, managers, and staff across the organization, and refers only the most complex issues to higher levels. The position regularly mentors less experienced colleagues.

· May require working extended hours and/or shift work to support business operation