Jobs › Invenergy

Senior Associate, Project Controls Cost & Schedule

Invenergy · Chicago, IL · $108,000–$124,000 a year · Full time

Posted Aug 31, 2026 · We last checked this listing on Oct 6, 2026

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Likely interview questions for this role

Written from this job description, not a generic list. Each one notes what the interviewer is really checking.

About your past

Tell me about a cost variance you investigated. What was really driving it?

What they are checking: Whether they dig into root causes instead of just reporting numbers that moved.

How have you mentored analysts to make sure their reports were accurate and on time?

What they are checking: Whether they can review others' work and build skills, which the posting asks of this role.

What would you do

Tariffs change on a key component mid-construction. How would you analyze the impact on the portfolio?

What they are checking: Whether they can trace a tariff change to affected projects, quantify it and explain options clearly.

A project manager disagrees with your forecast and says it's too pessimistic. How do you handle it?

What they are checking: Whether they can defend their numbers with evidence while staying open to information they missed.

About the work

Walk me through how you'd build a monthly cost performance report for a portfolio of renewable construction projects.

What they are checking: Whether they can turn raw cost data into a clear view of budget, forecast and variance that leaders trust.

How do you set and manage contingency on a project, and when do you release it?

What they are checking: Whether they treat contingency as a risk-based tool with discipline, not a slush fund.

How do you build a cost forecast that holds up, rather than one that changes every month?

What they are checking: Whether they forecast from commitments, progress and known risks, not by simply spreading the remaining budget.

What makes a project controls dashboard useful to executives instead of overwhelming?

What they are checking: Whether they design reporting around decisions leaders need to make.

How do cost and schedule connect in your analysis?

What they are checking: Whether they understand that schedule slips drive cost, and can show that link to leadership.

Which tools have you used for cost tracking and reporting, and what did you build in them?

What they are checking: Whether they are hands-on with the systems and spreadsheets the work depends on.

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The full job description

As published by Invenergy.

Invenergy is North America’s largest privately held developer, owner, and operator of power infrastructure. With 25 years of trusted execution, we deliver reliable, affordable energy through a diverse portfolio that includes natural gas, solar, land-based wind, energy storage, transmission, and domestic manufacturing. Headquartered in Chicago, we develop, own, and operate large scale projects that power communities and support the energy future. This position will be open for application for at least 3 calendar days from the posting date. This position will remain open for application based on business need, which may be before or after the 3-day posting window. Job Description Position Overview As the Senior Associate, Project Controls Cost, you will be heavily focused on project execution – developing construction plans, analyzing expenditures, cost forecasting, managing contingency, variance analysis reporting, tariff impact analysis, and creating detailed reports and dashboards to improve the execution of renewable energy projects. Invenergy follows a hybrid schedule, working in office Monday through Thursday and remotely on Fridays. Responsibilities • Conduct portfolio cost analysis and deliver monthly cost performance reports to leadership. • Provide mentorship and oversight of Analysts to ensure execution of all project responsibilities and reporting. • Support Project Managers in the full lifecycle of project cost management, ensuring all actuals, commitments, and forecasts are accurately captured, validated, and recorded in alignment with corporate standards. • Provide cost input to project planning activities such as construction execution plans, estimate updates, procurement strategies, and risk-adjusted forecasting. • Conduct commercial evaluations of vendor and contractor proposals to support change management, contract negotiations, and service agreement development. • Review and validate supplier and contractor invoices, change orders, and claims; ensure alignment with contract terms and project budgets. • Develop, maintain, and analyze project cost forecasts—including cash flow, contingency usage, committed cost tracking, and variance analysis—and clearly articulate drivers behind deviations. • Maintain the project cost control framework, including the cost breakdown structure (CBS), budget allocations, work package tracking, and integration with schedule and procurement updates. • Prepare both project and portfolio level reporting, which includes but is not limited to monthly cost reports, progress summaries, dashboards, and KPI updates for management review. • Monitor project risks, trends, and potential deviations; collaborate with cross-functional stakeholders to recommend mitigation actions and communicate cost impacts proactively. • Manage financial controls processes—purchase requisitions, purchase orders, budget transfers, and commitment management—and ensure alignment across cost systems, accounting, and procurement. • Ability to innovate our cost management system by piloting new concepts, scaling to the construction business group, and facilitate change management/training to have sustained process adherence. • Provide ad-hoc cost studies, scenario analyses, and decision-support reporting as needed. • Drive consistency and continuous improvement of cost control practices, tools, and reporting standards across projects. Minimum Qualifications • Bachelor’s degree in engineering, construction management, finance, accounting, or a related analytical discipline. • 7+ years of experience in project cost control, project accounting, financial analysis, or related project controls functions. • Strong analytical skills with the ability to develop forecasts, analyze variances, assess trends, and interpret cost, schedule, and commercial data. • Experience reviewing invoices, change orders, commercial proposals, or contract terms for accuracy and compliance. • Proficiency in project coordination across engineering, procurement, finance, and construction stakeholders. • Advanced attention to detail, problem-solving capability, and ability to complete tasks with minimal guidance. • 3+ years of experience with construction project cost & schedule integration • Strong communication and collaboration skills, with the ability to synthesize cost information for both technical and non-technical audiences. • Ability to travel up to 10% of the time and work occasionally on active construction sites. • Eligible to work in the United States without the need for employer visa sponsorship now or in the future. Preferred Qualifications • Construction or EPC project experience (internship or professional role highly desirable). • Experience with Earned Value Management (EVM), cost breakdown structures (CBS), and other project monitoring such as Cost Performance Index (CPI) monitoring • Experience with Primavera P6 or Oracle Primavera Cloud. • Experience with cost management or ERP systems such as EcoSys and Oracle Fusion. • Experience developing dashboards or data visualizations in Power BI or similar tools. • Relevant industry certifications such as AACE (CCP/CEP/EVP), PMI (PMP), or comparable project controls credentials. Base Pay $108,000.00 - $124,000.00 USD Annual Bonus: 20% - 30% The base pay range reflects the minimum and maximum target salary for the position. Invenergy considers a number of factors when determining base pay offers such as the scope and responsibilities of the position and the candidate's experience, education and skills. In addition to base pay, the total annual compensation package may also include eligibility to participate in our bonus program(s) which are designed to reward individual and company performance. Your recruiter can share more about bonus eligibility for this position during the hiring process. Invenergy offers a variety of other benefits including medical, dental and vision insurance, 401k, paid time off, etc. Invenergy LLC is an equal opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to, among other things, race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, age, status as a protected veteran, or disability.

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