Corporate Services | Controller

RRM Design Group; San Diego (CA); On-site; USD 120,000 - 150,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Health premiums

Telemedicine

Paid time off

Flexible work

ESOP

401(k) match

Life and disability

Paid holidays

Volunteer time off

Learning & development

Mentoring

Company culture

Job summary

RRM Design Group in San Diego is seeking an experienced Controller to lead the accounting team, guide financial operations, and support sustainable growth. Reporting to the COO, you will oversee all accounting functions, mentor staff, and partner with leadership to shape strategy.

As an employee-owned firm, we value collaboration, innovation, and people. You’ll strengthen financial systems, manage budgets, cash flow, and month-end processes while advancing our ESOP-driven culture.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in accounting or finance required.
• 10 years of experience in accounting and finance, 5–6 years as a controller.
• Experience with project accounting.
• Demonstrated track record for mentoring and building high-performing teams.
• Strong leadership, analytical, and communication skills.

Responsibilities

• Leading, managing, and developing the accounting team, including Project Accounting, Payroll, AP/AR, and Collections.
• Collaborating with workgroup principals, market sector leaders, and management to support and execute strategic plan goals.
• Developing, maintaining, and overseeing annual budgets and business planning structures.
• Preparing accurate and timely month-end and year-end close financial statements.
• Managing cash flow analysis and forecasting.
• Drive continuous improvement through research and enhancement of software, processes, efficiency, and best practices.

Skills

Leadership

Mentoring

Analytical skills

Communication skills

Project accounting

People management

Education

Bachelor’s degree in accounting or finance

Tools

Unanet

Job description

Are you a strategic financial leader ready to make a meaningful impact? RRM Design Group is seeking an experienced Controller to help guide our financial operations, lead the accounting team, and support long-term, sustainable growth.

Reporting directly to the Chief Operating Officer, the Controller will oversee all accounting functions while leading and mentoring a high-performing accounting team. This role is central to our organization and offers the opportunity to influence company strategy, strengthen financial systems, and help shape our culture. It’s truly a career-defining opportunity for the right leader.

At RRM Design Group, we’re more than a design firm—we’re a purpose-driven, employee-owned company that values collaboration, innovation, and people. Join us in creating environments people enjoy, while helping build the financial foundation that supports our future.

Why RRM Design Group?

• Employee-owned firm with a collaborative, respectful, and innovative culture
• Direct partnership with the COO and leadership team to influence company-wide strategy
• Flexible work environment, support for professional growth, and a people-first mindset

Your role looks like:

• Leading, managing, and developing the accounting team, including Project Accounting, Payroll, AP/AR, and Collections.
• Collaborating with workgroup principals, market sector leaders, and management to support and execute strategic plan goals.
• Developing, maintaining, and overseeing annual budgets and business planning structures.
• Preparing accurate and timely month-end and year-end close financial statements.
• Managing cash flow analysis and forecasting.
• Drive continuous improvement through research and enhancement of software, processes, efficiency, and best practices.

What you’ll bring to the table:

• Bachelor’s degree in accounting or finance required.
• 10 years of experience working in accounting and finance, 5-6 of those years working as a controller.
• Experience with project accounting.
• Demonstrated track record for mentoring and building high-performing teams.
• Strong leadership, analytical, and communication skills.

Above & Beyond:

• CPA – not required but is a plus!
• Experience in ESOP, AEC, FAR, or prevailing wage environments is a big plus.
• Experience using Unanet.
• Some work experience in architecture, engineering, surveying, landscape architecture, or planning firm.

We’re eager to learn more about your qualifications and interest in joining our team!

*Psst…at RRM, we recognize that factors such as imposter syndrome or the confidence gap may deter some applicants from applying. However, we encourage you to apply anyways, as we recognize these restraints do not reflect an applicant’s abilities, and we don’t want them to get in the way of us meeting potential RRMers!

ABOUT US:

Ensuring the health and happiness of our RRMers is paramount to how we run our business. RRM Design Group is a 100% employee-owned multidiscipline design firm with a full spectrum of services including architecture, landscape architecture, planning, civil and structural engineering, and surveying. Our offices are located along the California coast from Orange County to the Bay Area. Over one-third of our workforce has been with us for a decade or more and we work on engaging projects in several diverse markets throughout the state.

We value the diversity of intersecting identities and strive to maintain an environment that is equitable, respectful, and inclusive. We expect our work environments to be places of diverse engagement and informed discourse. Ultimately, we acknowledge that our standards of excellence as a multidiscipline design firm are not separate from the values of diversity, equity, and inclusion.

Privacy Notice to Applicants/Employees. This notice is intended to comply with the California Consumer Privacy Act, as amended by the California Privacy Rights Act (“CCPA/CPRA”).

COMPENSATION:

The hiring range for this role is targeted at $120,000 – $150,000 per year, depending on skills and experience.

Need more information about this position? Email [e-mail] for quick answers to any questions.

What is an RRMer?

An RRMer (also known as an employee of RRM) is an individual who exhibits strong communication skills, cultivates a passion for what they do, is eager to learn and likes to have fun! At RRM, our goal is to foster a community of collaboration and inclusivity, and each RRMer owns their contribution to this environment. In this job, you'll be working with people like:

We Own This!

In 2018, RRM accomplished the pivotal goal of transitioning to a100% employee-owned company. As an ESOP (employee stock ownership plan) corporation, once meeting eligibility criteria, RRMers have an ownership interest in the company. This is a direct reflection of our culture, one that is a supportive team. We are all striving to grow this company forward so that we can continue to create projects that promote sustainability and social good, giving back to our communities we live and work in and supporting staff so they can support their families. We are a team working together towards common goals.

View Benefits

RRM takes great care to offer a competitive compensation and benefits package. Our package includes:

• 100% Paid Health Premiums for our Employees (Medical, Dental, & Vision)
• Telemedicine
• Paid Time Off
• Flexible work arrangements
• ESOP
• 401(k) with an Employer Match
• Employee Assistance Program (EAP)
• Life, AD&D, & Long Term Disability
• Paid Holidays
• Volunteer Time Off
• Learning & development program, RRM University (RRMU)
• Mentoring opportunities and clear paths for career growth
• Unparalleled company community and more!

What Drives Us?

RRM’s mission and core values are the make-up of who we are and how we operate day-to-day. These values define our company culture and are the basis for all behavior and decision making. Head to Our Mission to see a description of all our core values and why we are passionate about Creating Environments People Enjoy.

"A solid company with good leadership and successful business practices."

- Anonymous Glassdoor.com review (click to read more)

Learn more about our seven offices:

San Luis Obispo (HQ) | San Leandro | Santa Barbara | Ventura | San Juan Capistrano | San Diego | Seattle (New!)