Senior Specialist, Operations Cost Control

About this opportunity:  The Senior Specialist, Operations Cost Control serves as a strategic advisor and subject matter expert for Conventional Operating Costs, providing enterprise-level leadership in financial planning, forecasting, performance analytics, and operational cost optimization. The role is accountable for developing long-term cost strategies, translating complex financial and operational data into actionable insights, and influencing business decisions that drive sustainable value creation.

Working closely with senior leaders across Conventional Operations and corporate functions, this position champions continuous improvement, cost governance, benchmarking, and best practices to enhance organizational effectiveness, strengthen cost competitiveness, and optimize business performance.

What you’ll do:

Strategic Business Planning & Long-Range Forecasting   Lead the development and integration of annual budgets, Long-Range Plans (LRP), and multi-year operating cost strategies across Conventional Operations.
Establish cost drivers, performance indicators, forecasting methodologies, and planning assumptions that support business objectives and strategic decision-making.
Provide enterprise-level trend analysis, scenario planning, and risk assessment to inform leadership decisions and resource allocation.
Translate complex operational and financial data into executive-level insights, recommendations, and actionable business strategies.
Influence resource allocation and investment decisions through robust economic, operational, and financial analysis.
Operational Performance & Forecast Leadership   Provide oversight and governance of monthly operating expenditure forecasting across Conventional business units, ensuring accuracy, consistency, and alignment with business priorities.
Lead financial and operational performance reviews, providing clear outlooks, insights, and recommendations to senior and executive leadership.
Identify emerging risks, opportunities, and performance trends through predictive analytics, forecasting, and performance monitoring.
Drive accountability for forecast accuracy and continuously improve planning processes, reporting standards, and performance management practices.
Enterprise Review & Governance   Lead and govern the annual Long-Term Asset (LTA) review process, ensuring alignment with corporate objectives, asset strategies, and operational priorities.
Facilitate cross-functional collaboration among Operations, Finance, Supply Chain, and senior leadership to develop integrated strategic business plans.
Establish and maintain consistent, transparent, and rigorous cost management frameworks, assumptions, governance practices, and decision-making processes.
Operational Excellence & Decision Support   Lead the development and enhancement of analytical tools, reporting frameworks, and performance management systems that improve organizational effectiveness and decision quality.
Establish best practices and governance standards for operating expenditure reviews, cost management, and business performance assessments.
Drive modernization, automation, and continuous improvement initiatives that enhance data quality, forecasting capabilities, reporting efficiency, and leadership visibility.
Strategic Value Creation & Continuous Improvement   Lead enterprise-wide benchmarking and performance analysis to identify cost competitiveness opportunities, best practices, and areas for operational improvement.
Identify, evaluate, and champion strategic cost optimization opportunities that deliver sustainable business value.
Partner across Cenovus business units to implement transformational improvements, standardize processes, and leverage enterprise-wide best practices.
Provide constructive challenge and strategic leadership during operational performance reviews, ensuring root causes, risks, and opportunities are understood and addressed.
Influence organizational priorities by translating operational and financial insights into strategic recommendations that improve business performance and shareholder value.
Mentor and guide business partners on cost management, performance analytics, forecasting, and continuous improvement methodologies.
Who you are:  Our ideal candidate will have the following minimum requirements:
Legally authorized to work in Canada.
Minimum 16 years of progressive experience in financial planning, cost control, operations, business analysis, or a related discipline.
Post‑secondary education in…