Cost Analyst I

About us

Worley is a global company of energy, chemicals and resources experts headquartered in Australia. We partner with our customers to deliver projects and create value across the life of their assets. We specialize in consulting, engineering, procurement and construction across the project lifecycle, with services extending through to operations and decommissioning. Leveraging extensive experience and AI-enabled delivery, we support customers in navigating complexity as they meet today's needs and transition to more sustainable solutions.

Purpose of the role

The purpose of this role is to provide accurate, timely, and meaningful project cost information that supports effective cost control, forecasting, and decision-making throughout the project lifecycle.

You will be responsible for preparing project cost reports, monitoring man-hours and cost progress, analyzing performance trends, and helping forecast future expenditure. You will also support the preparation of cost estimates for contract scope changes and extra work orders, ensuring that potential cost impacts are identified and communicated clearly.

Working under general supervision, you will apply established cost control processes, systems, and procedures while taking increasing ownership of assigned tasks. Through regular collaboration with project teams and periodic site visits, you will help maintain the accuracy of project cost information and contribute to the successful delivery of project objectives.

Core Responsibilities

You will be responsible for:

- Project cost reporting: Prepare, maintain, and review project cost reports that provide clear visibility of actual costs, commitments, progress, and forecast expenditure in line with established reporting requirements.
- Cost monitoring and control: Monitor project costs and man-hours against approved budgets, plans, and forecasts. Identify variances, emerging trends, and potential areas of concern, and communicate findings to the relevant project stakeholders.
- Cost forecasting: Analyst cost and productivity information to support the preparation and updating of forecasts. Help identify potential cost overruns, changing expenditure patterns, and other factors that may affect the project’s financial performance.
- Trend analysis: Review cost performance and man-hour consumption to identify patterns, investigate deviations, and provide practical insights that support timely corrective action.
- Change management and estimating: Initiate and support the preparation of cost estimates for contract scope changes, variations, and extra work orders. Gather relevant information, validate assumptions, and help assess the financial implications of proposed changes.
- Project performance reviews: Work with project controls and delivery teams to understand cost performance, reconcile reporting information, and ensure that cost data reflects the latest available project information.
- Site engagement: Undertake periodic site visits to review cost reporting practices, validate relevant cost and progress information, and strengthen alignment between site activities and project cost reports.
- Data integrity and compliance: Maintain accurate cost records and apply established procedures, reporting standards, and quality requirements to support reliable and consistent project information.
- Stakeholder communication: Present cost information, explain variances, and communicate emerging risks or opportunities in a clear, practical, and constructive manner. Develop the ability to influence decisions through evidence-based analysis and recommendations.
- Continuous improvement: Identify opportunities to improve cost reporting, data quality, forecasting practices, and the effective use of project controls systems and tools.
- Team collaboration: Coordinate with project managers, engineering disciplines, planning, procurement, commercial teams, and other relevant stakeholders to obtain the information needed for effective cost management.
- Knowledge sharing and support: Share relevant cost information and provide guidance on assigned activities to junior team members when required, helping promote consistent working practices and a collaborative team environment.

What you’ll bring to the role

You will bring a solid foundation in project cost control, an analytical mindset, and a practical approach to solving problems. You will be comfortable working with numerical information, following established processes, and collaborating with others to turn cost data into useful insights.

Qualifications and experience

- A university degree or equivalent qualification in engineering, finance, accounting, project controls, construction management, or a related discipline, or equivalent relevant professional experience.
- Typically, at least three years of relevant experience in project cost control, cost engineering, project controls, or a similar role.
- Experience preparing project cost reports and monitoring actual costs, budgets, commitments, and forecasts.
- Experience tracking man-hours, analyzing cost performance, and identifying trends or variances against established plans.
- Exposure to cost estimating for scope changes, contract variations, and extra work orders.
- An understanding of project delivery environments, including the relationship between scope, schedule, resources, productivity, and cost.
- Familiarity with project cost control procedures, reporting requirements, and the importance of maintaining accurate, traceable financial and project data.

Technical skills and capabilities

- Cost analysis and reporting: Ability to compile, review, and interpret cost information, identify discrepancies, and prepare reports that clearly communicate project performance.
- Forecasting and trend identification: Ability to assess historical and current cost performance, recognize emerging trends, and contribute to realistic forecasts using established methodologies.
- Man-hour monitoring: Ability to track labor hours, compare actual performance against planned allowances, and identify potential productivity or resource-related cost impacts.
- Estimating and change control: Ability to gather cost inputs, understand the basis of estimates, document assumptions, and support the assessment of financial impacts arising from changes to project scope.
- Systems and tools: Intermediate understanding of project cost control systems, processes, and tools. Proficiency in Microsoft Excel and familiarity with project reporting or cost management software will support success in the role.
- Data quality and attention to detail: Ability to validate information, maintain accurate records, reconcile discrepancies, and follow prescribed procedures consistently.
- Commercial awareness: Understanding of how contractual requirements, scope changes, resource utilization, and project performance influence cost outcomes.
- Problem-solving: Ability to investigate cost variances, assess available information, and identify practical options for further review or action.

Communication and collaboration

- Clear written and verbal communication skills, with the ability to explain cost information and technical concepts to different audiences.
- Confidence in working with multidisciplinary teams to gather information, resolve reporting issues, and align cost data with project requirements.
- The ability to develop persuasive, evidence-based recommendations and influence others through clear reasoning and sound analysis.
- A collaborative approach that values different perspectives, encourages constructive discussion, and supports shared project objectives.
- The ability to organize competing priorities, meet reporting deadlines, and maintain accuracy while managing varied assignments.

Personal approach

- A proactive and accountable approach to assigned responsibilities, with the confidence to work increasingly independently within established guidelines.
- Curiosity and sound judgement when reviewing data, questioning unexpected results, and identifying potential issues.
- A willingness to learn, develop technical capability, and incorporate feedback from supervisors and experienced colleagues.
- Flexibility to adapt to changing project priorities while maintaining consistency and attention to detail.
- A commitment to safe, ethical, inclusive, and responsible working practices that support Worley’s people, customers, and sustainability ambitions.

You will work under general supervision, with regular technical guidance and opportunities to build your capability. As your experience grows, you will take increasing ownership of your work, contribute practical recommendations, and support the activities of junior team members where appropriate.

Moving forward together

We want our people to be energized and empowered to drive sustainable impact. So, our focus is on a values-inspired culture that unlocks brilliance through belonging, connection and innovation. We're building a diverse, inclusive and respectful workplace. Creating a space where everyone feels they belong, can be themselves, and are heard.

And we're not just talking about it; we're doing it. We're reskilling our people, leveraging transferable skills, and supporting the transition of our workforce to become experts in today's low carbon energy infrastructure and technology. Whatever your ambition, there's a path for you here.

And there's no barrier to your potential career success. Join us to broaden your horizons, explore diverse opportunities, and be part of delivering sustainable change.