Job Cost Manager

Professional Alternatives; Houston (TX); Hybrid; USD 100,000 - 120,000; Full time

Job summary

Professional Alternatives is seeking a Job Cost Manager for a Houston-based construction and energy infrastructure company. The role will own cost setup, monitoring, and reporting for complex projects within the ERP, collaborating with project managers and field teams.

The ideal candidate has strong construction/accounting experience, knowledge of contract types, and the ability to drive job-cost reporting and controls. Salary up to $120,000 with a hybrid Houston work model.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Accounting, Finance, or a related field preferred.
• Strong experience in construction accounting, project accounting, or job-cost accounting.
• Working knowledge of percentage-of-completion accounting.
• Experience supporting project-based businesses with complex contract structures.
• Understanding of T&M, lump-sum, unit-price, and/or target-price contracts.
• Strong knowledge of project setup, budgeting, billing, change orders, and job-cost reporting.
• Ability to communicate effectively with both finance professionals and field/project personnel.
• Strong analytical and problem-solving skills.
• Ability to take ownership of projects and work independently in a hands-on environment.

Responsibilities

• Set up new construction projects within the ERP, including project structure, phases, budgets, locations, teams, and billing parameters.
• Translate bid and estimate information into detailed project budgets and cost structures.
• Manage and monitor job costs throughout the project lifecycle.
• Partner closely with project managers and field operations to understand project activity and financial performance.
• Review project revenue, costs, margins, forecasts, and variances.
• Support percentage-of-completion and construction accounting processes.
• Manage accounting requirements associated with multiple contract structures, including: Time & Material (T&M), Lump Sum, Unit Price, Target Price.
• Support project invoicing, billing, and change-order activity.
• Review project activity for completeness and accuracy and resolve accounting discrepancies.
• Assist with WIP reporting, project forecasting, and month-end close activities.
• Ensure appropriate project accounting practices and internal controls are followed.
• Serve as a finance/accounting resource to project and operational teams.
• Identify opportunities to improve job-cost processes, reporting, and system utilization.

Skills

Construction accounting

Project accounting

Job-cost accounting

Analytical skills

Independent work

Education

Bachelor’s degree in Accounting/Finance or related field

Tools

Spectrum

Microsoft Dynamics

NetSuite

Job description

Job ID#: 42101

Job Cost Manager – Construction

Location: Houston, TX (Hybrid)
Compensation: Up to $120,000 base salary
Employment Type: Direct Hire

A well-established Houston-based construction and energy infrastructure company is seeking a Job Cost Manager to join its Finance & Accounting team. This is a highly visible, hands-on role responsible for the financial setup, monitoring, and reporting of complex construction projects.

The position will work closely with project managers, field operations, and senior finance leadership to ensure projects are properly established in the ERP, costs and billing are accurately tracked, and project financial performance is clearly understood.

This is an excellent opportunity for an experienced construction accounting professional who wants broader ownership, direct exposure to executive finance leadership, and the opportunity to grow toward a Job Cost Controller role.

Responsibilities

• Set up new construction projects within the ERP, including project structure, phases, budgets, locations, teams, and billing parameters

• Translate bid and estimate information into detailed project budgets and cost structures

• Manage and monitor job costs throughout the project lifecycle

• Partner closely with project managers and field operations to understand project activity and financial performance

• Review project revenue, costs, margins, forecasts, and variances

• Support percentage-of-completion and construction accounting processes

• Manage accounting requirements associated with multiple contract structures, including:

  • Time & Material (T&M)

  • Lump Sum

  • Unit Price

  • Target Price

• Support project invoicing, billing, and change-order activity

• Review project activity for completeness and accuracy and resolve accounting discrepancies

• Assist with WIP reporting, project forecasting, and month-end close activities

• Ensure appropriate project accounting practices and internal controls are followed

• Serve as a finance/accounting resource to project and operational teams

• Identify opportunities to improve job-cost processes, reporting, and system utilization

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Accounting, Finance, or a related field preferred

• Strong experience in construction accounting, project accounting, or job-cost accounting

• Working knowledge of percentage-of-completion accounting

• Experience supporting project-based businesses with complex contract structures

• Understanding of T&M, lump-sum, unit-price, and/or target-price contracts

• Strong knowledge of project setup, budgeting, billing, change orders, and job-cost reporting

• Ability to communicate effectively with both finance professionals and field/project personnel

• Strong analytical and problem-solving skills

• Ability to take ownership of projects and work independently in a hands-on environment

Preferred Experience

• Pipeline, energy infrastructure, industrial construction, EPC, or heavy construction experience

• Experience with Spectrum construction accounting software

• Candidates with experience in comparable project-based ERP systems such as Microsoft Dynamics, NetSuite, or similar platforms will also be considered

Ideal Background

The ideal candidate may currently hold a title such as Job Cost Manager, Project Accounting Manager, Senior Project Accountant, Construction Accounting Manager, Senior Job Cost Analyst, Project Controller, or Senior Construction Accountant.

This role is particularly well suited for someone who has strong technical construction-accounting experience and is ready to take greater ownership without moving completely away from the day-to-day details of project accounting.

Why Consider This Opportunity?

You’ll have direct exposure to senior Finance & Accounting leadership and play an important role in the financial management of significant construction projects. The company is looking for someone who can make an immediate impact while continuing to develop into a broader job-cost leadership position.

Salary: Up to $120,000, based on experience.