Cost Analyst

Location: Essen | Hybrid flexibility

• Competitive, performance-based salary plus company pension scheme

• A meaningful and responsible role in a socially relevant field

• Regular feedback and development conversations to support your growth

• 29 days' annual leave

• Flexible working hours within a flexitime model

• Attractive employee discounts through corporate benefits

• A respectful, intercultural team culture with flat hierarchies and room for your ideas

We are looking for a Cost Analyst / Estimator (m/f/d) to join our team in Essen. In this role, you'll support the organisation with financial analysis, modelling, and cost strategy for public sector projects.

• Develop financial models to ensure complete and accurate financial information, including risk, sensitivity, and opportunity analyses, presented with clear visualisation tools

• Carry out business analyses to inform cost, pricing, and bid strategies, enabling sound decision-making

• Conduct financial and commercial analyses for contract requirements (e.g. Monte Carlo simulations, profit/loss analysis, benchmarking)

• Analyse customer requirements (contracts, technical specifications), identify risks, and highlight gaps in financial models

• Prepare customer-facing financial reports and align them with internal financial models

• Support understanding of the customer's perspective in terms of business case, affordability, and value-for-money

• Ensure compliance with financial reporting standards, legislation, and public sector procurement rules (including IFRS in collaboration with group finance)

• Assist with cost-efficient model reviews and peer reviews to maintain accuracy and integrity

• Contribute to wider business initiatives with data preparation and financial modelling beyond bid work

• Recognised professional finance qualification (or equivalent experience with proven financial expertise)

• Strong background in financial reporting and modelling, especially in Microsoft Excel

• Knowledge of detailed cost modelling processes and TUPE/transfer regulations (or comparable European legislation)

• Experience with governance processes in complex commercial environments

• Accuracy, attention to detail, and resilience under pressure

• Initiative and the ability to manage varied workloads independently after onboarding

• Strong analytical and communication skills, with the ability to translate complex information for stakeholders

• Team player with integrity, high ethical standards, and professional conduct

• Willingness to travel as required

• Fluent German (C2) in spoken and written form is essential

• Driving licence required

This role offers the chance to combine finance expertise with social impact, supporting projects that directly contribute to public services. You'll work in a collaborative, supportive team while developing your career in a dynamic and meaningful sector.