Controller PMO

Fairbanks Morse Defense; United States; On-site; USD 90,000 - 130,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading defense contractor in the United States seeks a PMO Controller responsible for managing governance frameworks and financial oversight on complex defense contracts. The ideal candidate will ensure compliance with regulations and manage budgeting, forecasting, and reporting processes. Essential qualifications include a Bachelor's degree, extensive experience in program management, and proficiency in project management tools. Strong leadership and analytical skills are crucial for success in this position.

Qualifications

• 8+ years of experience in a PMO, Program Management, or Finance role.
• Deep experience with Earned Value Management (EVM) in defense contracts.
• PMP or financial certification is a plus.

Responsibilities

• Oversee financial tracking and reporting procedures across all programs.
• Conduct regular financial reviews and audits of program control accounts.
• Lead continuous improvement initiatives across PMO using Lean methodologies.

Skills

Financial control

Budget performance

Compliance management

Analytical skills

Leadership

Communication

Education

Bachelor's degree in Business, Finance, or Engineering

Master’s degree

Tools

Microsoft Project

Primavera

Power BI

Oracle/Visual

Job description

Fairbanks Morse is looking for a PMO Controller to join our team. The PMO Controller is responsible for establishing, managing, and maintaining the Program Management Office (PMO) governance framework, policies, and processes, with a primary focus on financial control, budget performance, and compliance for a portfolio of complex defense contracts. This role acts as a control function, providing the executive team with a consolidated view of program health, risk, and financial status.

Key Responsibilities

• Develop, implement, and manage standardized financial tracking and reporting procedures across all programs (e.g., Earned Value Management System - EVMS, Cost Performance Reports - CPR).
• Oversee program budgeting, forecasting, and variance analysis to ensure projects remain within authorized funding limits.
• Conduct regular financial reviews and audits of program control accounts and work packages.
• Prepare and present consolidated portfolio-level financial reports, performance metrics, and key performance indicators (KPIs) to senior management and external stakeholders (e.g., government contracting officers).

Governance & Compliance

• Establish and enforce PMO methodologies, standards, templates, and tools to ensure consistency and repeatability across the defense portfolio.
• Ensure rigorous compliance with Defense Federal Acquisition Regulation Supplement (DFARS), Cost Accounting Standards (CAS), and specific contract requirements.
• Manage the governance structure, including planning and facilitating program review boards, steering committees, and gate reviews.
• Lead the continuous improvement of project management processes, leveraging best practices like CMMI or ISO standards.
• Define and manage the portfolio-level risk and opportunity management process, ensuring all program risks are properly identified, quantified, mitigated, and reported.
• Oversee the formal change control process for program scope, schedule, and budget, ensuring all changes are documented, approved, and integrated into the baseline.
• Collaborate with functional managers to optimize resource capacity planning and allocation across the program portfolio, prioritizing resources for strategic defense initiatives.
• Maintain a master schedule for the portfolio, identifying and managing inter-program dependencies and critical path analysis.
• Serve as the expert and consultant to Program Managers on control processes, compliance requirements, and financial management best practices.
• Provide training and coaching to program teams on PMO standards, tools, and methodologies.
• Lead continuous improvement initiatives across PMO using Lean, Six Sigma, and Kaizen methodologies.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Business, Finance, Engineering, or a related field. Master’s degree preferred.
• Minimum of 8+ years of experience in a PMO, Program Management, or Finance/Controller role, with at least 5 years specifically within the Defense or Aerospace industry.
• Certifications: Project Management Professional (PMP), PgMP, or a relevant financial certification is a plus. EVM certification is a significant advantage.
• Defense Industry Knowledge: Deep, demonstrable experience with Earned Value Management (EVM) and its implementation on large government contracts is mandatory. Strong understanding of defense contracting, compliance, and reporting requirements (e.g., CDRLs, DD-250s).
• Technical Skills: Expert proficiency with project management software (e.g., Microsoft Project, Primavera, or specialized PPM tools) and expert skills in Microsoft Excel and financial modeling.
• Proficiency in tools like Power BI, or similar analytical/reporting software. Oracle/Visual or other ERPs.
• Demonstrated ability to accurately assess key business metrics and situations from a “general manager’s” point of view, and ability to design, develop, and implement a roadmap for an operating business.
• Proven ability to consistently deliver results while influencing leaders without authority. Including but not limited to coaching leaders at different altitudes while driving change and leveraging change management best practices.
• Demonstrated success in cross-functional teams with ability to work and execute across boundaries and matrices.

Preferred Traits

• Exceptional analytical and financial acumen.
• Strong leadership, governance, and organizational skills.
• Excellent written and verbal communication, with the ability to present complex financial and program data to executive leadership.
• High attention to detail and a commitment to data accuracy and integrity.
• Ability to navigate and influence a complex, matrixed organizational structure.

Travel

Travel: <50%

This position requires access or potential access to Unclassified Naval Nuclear Propulsion Information, which is Not Releasable to Foreign Nationals (NOFORN) data. Therefore, to meet NOFORN requirement, you will have to provide proof of US Citizenship and attest that you do not have dual citizenship. Acceptable proof of US Citizenship is a US Passport, US Birth Certificate or Naturalization Certificate.

This specification is intended to indicate the kinds of tasks and levels of work difficulty that will be required of positions that will be given this title and shall not be construed as declaring what the specific duties and responsibilities of any particular position shall be. It is not intended to limit or in any way modify the right of any supervisor to assign, direct, and control the work of employees under his/her supervision. Ability to competently perform all the essential duties of the position, with or without reasonable accommodation, demonstrated commitment to effective customer service delivery, and the ability to work productively as a member of a team or work group are basic requirements of all positions at Fairbanks Morse Defense.