Scope (Purpose)
The Project Controls & Data Analyst is responsible for providing integrated R&D project control, database management, reporting and analytical support to ensure projects are effectively monitored, documented and delivered.
The role supports data integrity, performance tracking, process improvements and timely reporting to management and stakeholders. By leveraging advanced SQL proficiency and integrating AI-driven tools for automation and analysis, the incumbent will transform raw project data into actionable intelligence, enabling precise forecasting, risk mitigation, and data-informed decision-making for R&D.
Key Accountabilities
- Project Controls and Performance Management: Apply earned value management (CPI/SPI/BPI, EV/PV/AC, variance and estimate at completion), through the monthly cost and schedule reporting cycle and other analysis as required.
- Program Reporting and Analysis: Produce the recurring R&D reporting suite, monthly cost and schedule status, financial holdback, quarterly technical progress, metrics for R&D leadership, Program Managers, Technical Committee members, suppliers, members and Business Services.
- Self-Service Reporting and Analysis: Build and maintain the R&D reporting suite with Power BI and Grafana dashboards and ad-hoc analysis across budgets, commitments, deliverables and performance; working directly against approved read-only data sources, without depending on IT for routine report production. Ensure published figures reconcile to the system of record. Generate reports and data extracts to support business and project requirements. Identify opportunities to improve data management processes and reporting efficiency. Support adhoc analysis and reporting requests as required.
- Supplier and Stakeholder Coordination: Act as the day-to-day point of contact for supplier project managers, contract officers, lead authors and/or their managers, maintaining accurate contact and relationship records, driving on-time submission of cost reports, technical progress reports and deliverables, and challenging reported performance where it does not stand up to scrutiny.
- Database Administration and Maintenance: Manage the integrity, accessibility, and routine maintenance of R&D databases, including data imports/exports, backup/recovery strategies, and alignment with authorized Conexus procedures. Perform data validation, reconciliation, and quality checks to identify and resolve discrepancies.
- Strategic Data Integration and Automation: Leverage advanced SQL proficiency and AI-driven tools to automate administrative tasks, integrate corporate databases with Conexus Online systems (e.g., SharePoint, COMS), and transform raw project data into actionable intelligence for leadership decision-making
General Responsibilities
Under the direction of the Director, Research & Development, the Project Controls Analyst will:
Data and Reporting
- Perform data extraction, transformation and report production across R&D data sources.
- Use advanced SQL to interrogate and reconcile R&D data across systems, and to build and maintain the department's own Power BI and Grafana dashboards against approved read-only data sources.
- Align and maintain the R&D database with authorized Conexus procedures and processes. Coordinate, administer data processing for R&D deliverables and budget tracking.
- Act as SPOC for the R&D project control processes within COMS; cost and schedule reporting, work package budgets, change control and purchase orders: maintain reference data and configuration, specify changes to IT, and test and sign off releases.
- Maintaining and check contact information for all R&D supplier program managers, contract officers, lead authors, and/or their managers.
- Provide regular reports to R&D Director, Program Managers, Members, and Business Services, as well as external reports to Suppliers and Members.
- Ensure all published performance figures reconcile to the system of record; dashboards consume the values the source system calculates rather than re-implementing earned value formulas.
- Maintain current written procedures for the R&D project control and reporting processes, sufficient for another person to run a full cycle.
Project Control
- Collect, analyze, and maintain monthly cost and schedule status reports (CSSR) from suppliers transfer data into the database, and generate performance statistics as required for periodic and/or monthly reporting cycle.
- Interfaces with the Suppliers, Technical Committee Members, and various Conexus Departments (e.g. Business Services) by providing status reports on budgets, deliverables, schedules, and funding shares.
- Maintain real-time record of all current approved work package budgets and cross reference with the business service department and website records.
- Maintain monthly Financial Holdback reports for Program Manager’s review and approval, and forward these reports and data to the Business Service department for processing.
- Adjust all records to incorporate approved CCRs (Change Control Request) and web applications (BMS, COMS, SharePoint).
- Exercise judgment on earned value where progress is not directly measurable, including assessing percent complete from technical progress reports for universities and smaller suppliers who do not self-report performance indices.
- Set up the reporting cycle at the start of each fiscal year in COMS.
Assist the Director/Program Managers
- Set up, maintain quarterly data reports for use in Annual Reports, Quarterly Technical Progress Reports, and create necessary graphics and metrics.
- Prepare monthly analysis/report on project management performance measures (CPI/SPI) and provide input to the Balance Score card metrics every quarter.
- Special assignments as directed by the R&D Director and Program Managers
Requirements
Education & Experience
- Diploma or Degree in database Management, Data Analytics, Computer science or related area
- 5+ years in project controls, cost control or financial analysis, ideally on multi-supplier R&D, engineering or capital programs; or an equivalent blend of finance and project delivery experience.
- Demonstrable earned value management experience: CPI/SPI, planned and earned value, variance analysis, estimate at completion. Formal grounding (PMI-SP, CAPM/PMP, AACE) is an asset.
- Advanced Microsoft Excel, including handling large supplier workbooks.
- Proficient with Microsoft Office software including Word, Outlook and PowerPoint
- Builds their own dashboards. Confident in Power BI and/or Grafana, including connecting directly to a SQL data source, designing the query behind a panel, and maintaining a dashboard suite over time. Not just consuming reports someone else built.
- Comfortable using AI assistants to accelerate query writing, reconciliation and drafting with the judgment to verify every figure before it reaches a financial report, and the discipline to keep supplier-confidential data within approved tooling.
- Advanced SQL: a core working tool of this role. Complex multi-table retrieval, aggregation and transformation, used both to reconcile data across systems and to build reports independently. (Analysis against approved read-only data sources; schema changes and database administration sit with IT.)
- Experience working within an established business system (ERP, project control or finance platform) as a business owner or power user: specifying changes, testing releases and maintaining reference data.
- Discretion in handling commercially sensitive supplier cost and performance data.
Competencies
- Good database and program\project control and management skills
- Good organization, communication, and interpersonal skills
- Good time management and organizational skills to handle multiple tasks of varying priorities at any given time
- Ability to work in a team environment
- Self-starter able to work with minimal supervision
- Capacity to understand business systems and procedures
- Ability to produce flow charts and diagrams using Visio (or similar)
- Ability to generate reports & graphs
- Good knowledge of information mapping processes
- Ability and knowledge to maintain departmental financial reports
- Ability to facilitate meetings with assertiveness and diplomacy
- Ability to compile data from one application and migrate to another
- Strong numeracy and financial rigour; comfortable owning figures that leadership and members will act on.
- Confidence to challenge a supplier's reported performance, and the diplomacy to do it without damaging the relationship.
- Meticulous attention to detail where money is concerned.
Success Indicators/KPI’s
- Accurate and Timely Project Controls: Monthly cost, schedule, budget, commitment, deliverable and supplier performance data is maintained accurately and completed within established reporting timelines. Approved CCRs, work package budgets and financial holdbacks are incorporated promptly and accurately.
- Reliable Management Reporting & Data Integrity: R&D reporting is delivered accurately and on schedule, with published figures reconciling to the system of record. Variances, missed invoices, potential overspends and required CCRs are identified and escalated within the reporting cycle.
- Effective Self-Service Reporting & Analytics: Power BI/Grafana dashboards and SQL-based analysis provide reliable, accessible insight into budgets, commitments, deliverables and performance, reducing reliance on IT for routine reporting.
- Supplier & Stakeholder Accountability: Supplier reports and deliverables are received accurately and on time, discrepancies are identified and challenged appropriately, and stakeholders have clear and timely information on project status, financial performance and deliverables.
- Continuous Improvement & Automation: Reporting and project-control processes are continuously improved through SQL, automation and, approved AI tools, reducing manual effort while maintaining data accuracy, confidentiality and appropriate controls.
Work Environment
This role is based at the Conexus office in Toronto with the opportunity to work remotely 1-3 days per week.
Onsite presence is expected around the monthly reporting close and the quarterly and annual reporting cycles, when workload peaks.
Conexus employees are expected to consistently demonstrate our core values of Integrity, Collaboration, Innovation, Sustainability and Agility, specifically:
- Acting with respect, transparency and commitment in all relationships and decisions
- Fostering connection, trust and shared success by bringing the industry together across borders, disciplines, and perspectives
- Driving forward-thinking solutions and accelerating advancements that shape the future of nuclear energy
- Delivering exceptional results and value to advance a clean energy future that supports people, the planet, and progress.
- Adapting and evolving to meet challenges and realize opportunities in an ever-changing global landscape.
At Conexus, we recognize that supporting our valued employees' wellbeing extends beyond compensation. We offer a total rewards program that includes a pension plan, an annual health spending account, a fitness subsidy as well as life, health, dental and disability benefits, complemented by a truly flexible, hybrid work arrangement.
Pay Transparency
Starting salary will be aligned with a candidate's demonstrated qualifications, experience, skills, and internal pay parity.
Diversity & Inclusion
Conexus has earned recognition as a diversity leader in the nuclear industry, particularly for our work advancing women in engineering. We are committed to employment equity and diversity in the workplace, and we welcome applications from women, members of racialized groups/visible minorities, Indigenous persons, persons with disabilities, persons of any sexual orientation, and persons of any gender identity or gender expression. Accommodations are available on request throughout the selection process.
A Note on AI in Conexus' Hiring Process
Conexus may use artificial intelligence (AI) or other technology-assisted tools as part of the recruitment and selection process. These tools are intended to support and never replace human decision-making.
If you have questions about this job posting, including accessibility needs, please reach out to Human Resources on Careers@conexusnuclear.org
