Senior/Lead Digital Project Cost Analyst

About Ameren Services (B&CS)

Ameren Services provides administrative support and services to Ameren Corporation and its operating companies, subsidiaries and affiliates. Ameren Services includes a wide range of skill sets and roles, from finance and legal experts to digital and cyber specialists, plus those charged with ensuring environmental compliance and operational safety. Together, we help execute a strategy that enables Ameren to deliver superior long-term value to customers, shareholders and the environment.

Our benefits include:

• Medical coverage on date of hire

• 100% employer paid cash balance pension plan

• 401(k) with company match fully vested on date of hire

• Minimum of 15 days paid vacation and 12 paid holidays

• Paid parental leave and family caregiver leave

Visit our Benefits & Perks Page for more information on benefits provided to regular full-time employees. ​

About The Position

The Senior Digital Project Cost Analyst is responsible for validating the initial estimated project cost and identifying, understanding, communicating, and performing cost reforecasting throughout the project lifecycle.  The position will own and support various additional activities to ensure projects' financials can be tracked, recorded, and explained accurately.

Key responsibilities include:

• Build and maintain strong relationships with Digital leadership, Financial Services, Plant Accounting, Digital PMO and Digital Capital Planning.
• Initial Estimate / Project Development
  • Lead project work order process by ensuring business cases are thorough and accurate and include appropriate application of capital versus operating & maintenance (O&M) accounting guidelines, business segments are aligned to cost allocation, and prepare documentation for Work Order approvals.
  • Actively participate in long-term business planning process that integrates Digital strategy, emerging business line needs, and financial goals.
  • Support scoping meetings to define initial project scope with all stakeholders. Develop and utilize execution readiness tools – e.g., detailed resource plans, variance reports, etc.
  • Actively participate in Project Manager-led pre-execution project health check meetings, to provide consulting/subject matter expertise (SME) involving complex estimating issues and display significant depth of knowledge regarding estimating, capitalization, and scope identification.
  • For investments that qualify for additional oversight, work closely with project schedulers to align costs with project plan.
• Monthly Reforecasting
  • On monthly basis, perform prior month spend analysis to reforecast future spend; work with Financial Services/Project Team to make correcting entries as needed.
  • Establish and lead key sub-processes with project team to enhance the accuracy of forecasting as necessary (e.g., weekly monitoring actual vs projected hours worked for investments of $20M+).
  • Work closely with internal SMEs to validate and update contingency assumptions throughout the project lifecycle.
• Variance Explanation / Reporting
  • Understand and report on variances between actual and forecasted spend.
  • Support developing recommendations to Digital and/or business leaders regarding financial forecasting and actual spend.

• Continuous Improvement
  • Collaborate with stakeholders to ensure they have the tools/reports needed to support effective project cost estimating/tracking.
  • Provide feedback to continually improve an estimating process that includes the following: capital cost, O&M associated costs, overhead costs, labor analysis, Additional Funds Under Construction estimates, retirement costs, salvage, tax implications, and contingency assumptions, if applicable.

Bachelor’s degree in Accounting, Business, Finance, Economics, Engineering, Computer Science or related field from an accredited University required.  CPA, CFA, MBA or similar advanced degree in business, finance, or economics preferred.  Five or more years of relevant professional experience required (e.g., accounting, financial reporting, analysis or modeling, cost modeling, project management, and business planning).  Experience in IT/technology and financial planning preferred.

Bachelor’s degree required; preferably in Accounting, Business, Finance, Economics, Engineering, Computer Science or related field.  CPA, CFA, MBA or similar advanced degree in business, finance, or economics preferred.  Seven or more years of relevant professional experience required (e.g., accounting, financial reporting, analysis or modeling, cost modeling, project management, and business planning).  Experience in IT/technology and financial planning preferred.

In addition to the above qualifications, the successful candidate will demonstrate:

Required: Detailed understanding of capital planning, corporate finance, forecasting, and investment concepts, practices, and methods. Strong analytical, problem solving, decision-making, strategic thinking, and planning skills. High level of accuracy and attention to detail. Predisposition to take initiative and collaborate. Project and vendor management skills. 

Preferred:  Advanced financial, statistical, and quantitative modeling skills. Strong business acumen and ability to see the big picture.  Advanced proficiency with Microsoft Office, especially Excel. Excellent communication (written/verbal), interpersonal skills.   Experience with financial applications such as UIP, PCM, Primavera, PowerPlant and API.

Ameren’s selection process includes a series of interviews and may include an applicant assessment process.  Specific details will be provided to qualified candidates.

#LI-Hybrid

Compensation Range:

* This pay range encompasses multiple levels of the role. Career level and compensation depends upon applicant’s credentials.

At Ameren, base salary is one component of a competitive compensation package for employees. Our pay ranges are broad to allow for movement within our organization and to accommodate different skill sets and levels of expertise. We take into consideration a variety of factors including, but not limited to, skills, abilities, experience, education, credentials, and internal equity when determining the base salary offered. Roles are eligible for additional rewards including annual incentive payments based on individual and company performance.

If end date is listed, the posting will come down at 12:00 am on that date:

All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, ethnicity, age, disability, genetic information, military service or status, pregnancy, marital status, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, or any other class, trait, or status protected by law.