Program/Project Financial Analyst

Position Summary

The Program/Project Financial Analyst is responsible for the comprehensive financial management, planning, reporting, forecasting, and compliance oversight of large federally funded programs and capital projects.

This position serves as the agency's principal financial liaison with the Federal Railroad Administration (FRA) and other federal and state funding agencies, ensuring compliance with grant requirements while providing strategic financial analysis and reporting to agency leadership.

The position develops and manages long-range financial forecasts, annual spending plans, grant budgets, project cash flow projections, reimbursement requests, and executive-level financial reports. The analyst monitors program expenditures, supports agency-wide budgeting efforts, coordinates audits, and ensures the financial integrity of federally funded programs throughout the grant lifecycle.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities

Federal Grant Financial Management

• Manage the financial administration of large, complex federal and state grants, including FRA-funded programs and projects.
• Ensure compliance with federal grant requirements, agency regulations, and applicable state laws.
• Develop, maintain, and monitor grant-specific budgets, funding allocations, and expenditure plans.
• Oversee grant reimbursement requests, drawdowns, and financial closeout activities.
• Coordinate directly with federal and state grant administrators regarding financial reporting, audits, and compliance matters.
• Maintain documentation supporting grant expenditures and funding eligibility.

Budget Development and Financial Planning

• Develop and maintain federal grant master budgets for major programs and capital projects.
• Prepare annual spending plans for departments and divisions based on project schedules, funding availability, and operational requirements.
• Perform detailed financial forecasting and multi-year funding analyses.
• Monitor budget performance and recommend corrective actions when variances occur.
• Support agency leadership in developing financial strategies for current and future funding opportunities.

Cash Flow Forecasting and Analysis

• Develop and maintain short-term and long-term projected cash flow models for grant-funded programs and agency operations.
• Analyze funding availability, reimbursement timing, and expenditure schedules to ensure adequate liquidity.
• Create monthly, quarterly, annual, and lifecycle cash flow projections.
• Coordinate with project managers and department leaders to validate forecast assumptions and spending schedules.
• Identify financial risks and recommend mitigation strategies.

Financial Reporting

• Prepare quarterly and annual financial reports required by federal and state funding agencies.
• Develop executive-level dashboards, summaries, and financial presentations for senior leadership, boards, and stakeholders.
• Analyze budget variances, forecast changes, and funding utilization trends.
• Prepare ad hoc financial analyses supporting strategic decision-making.
• Present complex financial information clearly to both financial and non-financial audiences.

Audit and Compliance Management

• Lead financial support activities for federal, state, and independent audits.
• Coordinate audit responses and provide supporting financial documentation.
• Monitor compliance with grant agreements, federal regulations, agency policies, and internal controls.
• Recommend and implement improvements to financial management processes and controls.
• Ensure accurate financial recordkeeping and reporting throughout the grant lifecycle.

Systems and Process Improvement

• Maintain financial records and reporting systems supporting grant administration.
• Support implementation and continuous improvement of financial planning and reporting processes.
• Utilize SAP/ORACLE/Deltek and other financial management systems to monitor budgets, expenditures, and financial performance.
• Develop advanced spreadsheet models and reporting tools to improve financial analysis and decision-making.

Minimum Qualifications

Education

• Bachelor's degree from an accredited college or university in:

+ Finance

+ Mathematics

+ Engineering

+ Or a closely related field

Preferred:

• Master's degree in Finance, Business Administration (MBA), Engineering Management, Public Administration, Economics, or a related discipline.

Experience

• Minimum of twenty (20) years of progressively responsible experience in financial management, budgeting, forecasting, project controls, grant administration, or program finance.
• Demonstrated experience managing large federal grant programs and capital projects.
• Extensive experience with Federal Railroad Administration (FRA) grants, Federal Transit Administration (FTA), Federal Highway Administration (FHWA), or similar federal funding agencies preferred.
• Direct experience preparing and managing multi-million-dollar program and project budgets.
• Experience developing complex cash flow forecasts and multi-year spending plans.
• Proven experience supporting federal and state audits.

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities

Financial and Technical Skills

• Advanced knowledge of federal grant regulations, Uniform Guidance, and government funding requirements.
• Expertise in financial forecasting, budget development, cash flow modeling, and variance analysis.
• Strong understanding of capital project financial management.
• Advanced quantitative and analytical capabilities.
• Experience preparing financial reports for executive leadership and governing boards.

Software Proficiency

• Advanced Microsoft Office skills required, with exceptional proficiency in:

+ Excel (advanced formulas, modeling, pivot tables, dashboards, Power Query, and data analysis)

+ Word

+ PowerPoint

+ Outlook

Preferred:

• SAP financial software experience.
• Experience with enterprise resource planning (ERP) systems.
• Experience with project controls and reporting systems.

Communication Skills

• Exceptional written and verbal communication skills.
• Demonstrated ability to summarize complex financial information into concise executive-level reports.
• Ability to present financial recommendations to senior executives, board members, government officials, and stakeholders.
• Strong interpersonal skills with the ability to collaborate across departments and external agencies.

Preferred Qualifications

Candidates demonstrating one or more of the following will receive special consideration:

• Direct experience managing FRA or other federal grant finances.
• Experience working within a public agency, transportation authority, transit agency, railroad, or infrastructure organization.
• SAP financial management system experience.
• Master's degree in a related field.
• Experience overseeing programs with multiple funding sources and large capital budgets.

Physical Requirements

• Ability to sit for extended periods while performing financial analyses and report preparation.
• Ability to communicate effectively in person, virtually, and in writing.
• Ability to travel occasionally to meetings, audits, project sites, and funding agency offices as required.

Equal Employment Opportunity

Employer

We are an Equal Opportunity Employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, age, disability, protected veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by applicable federal, state, or local law.