Project Controller

Babcock & Wilcox; Akron (OH); On-site; USD 150,000 - 230,000; Full time

Job summary

Babcock & Wilcox in Akron, OH seeks an experienced Project Controller to act as a strategic finance leader for large, complex initiatives across the enterprise. You will partner with project management, senior leadership, and cross-functional teams to drive accountability, mitigate risk, and deliver measurable business outcomes.

Responsibilities include financial planning, budgeting, risk management, and reporting to ensure financial discipline, transparency, and alignment with organizational

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Accounting, Finance, or related field; Master’s preferred.
• CPA, CMA, or equivalent certification strongly preferred.
• 15+ years of progressive finance experience with a focus on project-based financial management.
• Experience leading complex, cross-functional projects in a matrixed environment.
• Strong knowledge of US GAAP, cost accounting, and project financial controls.
• Experience with ERP systems and project financial management tools (implementation experience preferred).
• Proven ability to influence senior stakeholders and drive financial accountability across project teams.
• Advanced capability in managing the financial lifecycle of large-scale projects, including budgeting, forecasting, cost tracking, and ROI analysis.

Responsibilities

• Lead financial planning, analysis, and oversight for complex, high-impact projects, ensuring alignment with budgets, forecasts, and objectives.
• Establish and manage project budgets, forecasts, and cost controls; monitor performance and take corrective actions.
• Partner with project managers, engineering, operations, and executives to drive disciplined execution across initiatives.
• Identify, assess, and mitigate financial risks; implement robust control frameworks for compliance.
• Develop and deliver clear, actionable financial reporting to senior leadership.
• Drive continuous improvement in project financial management processes, tools, and ERP/digital transformation initiatives.
• Support change management efforts across major initiatives, ensuring stakeholder alignment and adoption of new processes.

Skills

Strategic & Analytical Thinking

Cross-Functional Leadership

Risk Assessment & Mitigation

Financial Systems & Digital Acumen

Executive Communication & Reporting

Change Management & Adaptability

Results Orientation & Accountability

Education

Bachelor’s degree in Accounting, Finance, or related field

Master’s degree preferred

CPA, CMA, or equivalent certification

Tools

ERP systems

Project financial management tools

Job description

As Project Controller, you will serve as a strategic finance leader responsible for the financial governance, performance management, and successful execution of large, complex projects and programs across the enterprise. This role plays a critical part in ensuring that high‑value initiatives—such as capital projects, system implementations, and transformation efforts—are delivered with financial discipline, transparency, and alignment to organizational objectives. You will partner with project management, senior and executive leadership and cross‑functional teams to drive accountability, mitigate risk, and deliver measurable business outcomes.

• Lead financial planning, analysis, and oversight for complex, high‑impact projects, ensuring alignment with approved budgets, forecasts, and strategic objectives. Provide financial visibility and transparency throughout the project lifecycle.
• Establish and manage project budgets, forecasts, and cost controls. Monitor financial performance, analyze variances, and implement corrective actions to ensure projects remain on track financially and operationally.
• Partner with project managers, engineering, operations, and executive stakeholders to drive disciplined execution of large, multi‑functional initiatives. Ensure financial considerations are embedded in all phases of project planning and delivery.
• Identify, assess, and mitigate financial risks associated with complex projects. Implement and maintain robust control frameworks to ensure compliance, protect assets, and support auditable project execution.
• Develop and deliver clear, actionable financial reporting and insights to senior leadership. Translate complex financial data into strategic recommendations that support decision‑making and optimize project outcomes.
• Drive continuous improvement in project financial management processes, tools, and systems, including participation in ERP implementations and digital transformation initiatives.
• Support change management efforts across major initiatives, ensuring stakeholder alignment, clear communication, and adoption of new processes and systems.

PREFERRED Work Experience Requirements

• Bachelor’s degree in Accounting, Finance, or related field required; Master’s preferred
• CPA, CMA, or equivalent certification strongly preferred
• 15+ years of progressive finance experience with a strong focus on project‑based financial management, capital projects, or large‑scale initiatives
• Demonstrated experience supporting or leading complex, cross‑functional projects in a matrixed environment
• Strong knowledge of US GAAP, cost accounting, and project financial controls
• Experience with ERP systems and project financial management tools (implementation experience preferred)
• Proven ability to influence senior stakeholders and drive financial accountability across project teams
• Project & Program Financial Management Advanced capability in managing the financial lifecycle of large‑scale projects, including budgeting, forecasting, cost tracking, and ROI analysis.

Specific Skills And/or Business Competencies

• Strategic & Analytical Thinking Ability to synthesize complex financial and operational data into actionable insights that drive decision‑making at the executive level.
• Cross‑Functional Leadership & Influence Strong ability to collaborate across diverse teams, influence without direct authority, and align stakeholders toward common project goals.
• Risk Assessment & Mitigation Proficiency in identifying financial, operational, and compliance risks within large projects and implementing effective mitigation strategies.
• Financial Systems & Digital Acumen Experience leveraging ERP systems and financial tools to enhance project reporting, controls, and efficiency; ability to support system implementations and transformations.
• Executive Communication & Reporting Exceptional ability to present complex financial information clearly and concisely to senior leadership, including translating data into strategic recommendations.
• Change Management & Adaptability Demonstrated ability to lead through change, manage ambiguity, and drive adoption of new processes within dynamic, project‑driven environments.
• Results Orientation & Accountability Strong ownership mindset with a focus on delivering measurable project outcomes, meeting deadlines, and maintaining financial discipline.