Project Controller

Simpson Booth Ltd; Tulsa (OK); On-site; USD 90,000 - 150,000; Full time

Job summary

Simpson Booth Ltd is seeking a highly experienced Project Controller to bridge project execution and financial oversight for pipeline manufacturing projects. You will provide end-to-end visibility from planning through budgeting, cost control, and financial reporting, ensuring on-time, within-scope delivery.

This role combines hands-on project management with controller-level financial analysis, interfacing with operations, finance, and leadership to optimise capital and operational projects.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree or equivalent in accounting/finance/related field.
• Progressive experience in project management, accounting, FP&A or controllership.
• Experience with SAP; IFS preferred.

Responsibilities

• Own the overall project plan and timeline across engineering, production, procurement, and operations.
• Track milestones, schedule risks, and provide updates on progress and financials to leadership.
• Develop, monitor and maintain project budgets, forecasts, and cost estimates with FP&A involvement.
• Reconcile project costs, support month-end close, and ensure accurate cost coding and reporting.
• Build dashboards and standardise project financial reporting across the portfolio.

Skills

Financial acumen

Budgeting

Forecasting

Variance analysis

Project management

Communication

Analytical thinking

Multi-tasking

Integrity

Education

Bachelor's degree in Accounting, Finance, Business Administration, Construction/Project Management, Engineering

Tools

SAP

IFS

MS Project

Power BI

Excel

Job description

Our client is a leading global expert in the provision of specialist technical services and operates in several jurisdictions around the world.

The Role

The Project Controller is a newly established role designed to bridge project execution and financial oversight for capital and operational projects within the pipeline manufacturing sector. This position provides end-to-end visibility across the project lifecycle – from planning and scheduling through budgeting, cost control, and financial reporting – ensuring projects are delivered on time, within scope, and within budget. Positioned at a level above a traditional Project Accountant, this role combines hands-on project management with controller-level financial analysis, serving as the key liaison between operations, finance, and manufacturing leadership.

Key Responsibilities

Role Specific Responsibilities

• Own the overall project plan and timeline for assigned pipeline manufacturing projects, coordinating across engineering, production, procurement, and operations teams.
• Track project milestones, deliverables, and critical-path activities, proactively identifying and resolving schedule risks or delays.
• Facilitate project status meetings and provide clear, concise updates to leadership on progress, risks, and financial performance.
• Coordinate resource allocation across concurrent projects to ensure manufacturing capacity aligns with project timelines.

Financial Planning, Analysis & Budgeting

• Develop, monitor, and maintain project budgets, forecasts, and cost estimates in coordination with operations and finance leadership.
• Perform financial planning and analysis (FP&A) for individual projects and the broader project pipeline, including variance analysis (actual vs. budget/forecast).
• Prepare and present cost-to-complete analyses, margin analysis, and cash flow projections for active and upcoming projects.
• Identify cost drivers, risks, and opportunities for efficiency, recommending corrective action when budgets or timelines are at risk.

Project Accounting & Cost Control

• Review and validate project-related costs, including labor, materials, and overhead allocations, ensuring accurate cost coding and job costing.
• Reconcile project financials on a recurring basis, ensuring alignment between project management systems and the general ledger.
• Support month-end and project close-out processes, including final cost reconciliation and financial reporting.
• Ensure compliance with company policies, accounting standards, and contract/customer billing requirements as applicable.
• Maintain project data integrity within SAP and/or IFS, including project structures, cost centers, WBS elements, and budgets.
• Build and maintain reporting dashboards and templates to standardise project financial reporting across the pipeline manufacturing portfolio.

Partner with Finance, Operations, Manufacturing, and Executive leadership to align project execution with broader business objectives.

Support continuous improvement of project management and cost control processes, tools, and templates.

Health, Safety & Environment

You have a duty to take care of your own health and safety and that of others who may be affected by your actions at work.

You will carry out assigned tasks and duties in a safe manner, in accordance with instructions, and comply with all Health, Safety & Environmental rules, policy, procedures, regulations and codes of practice.

You must also co-operate with management and co-workers to help everyone meet their legal obligations.

Ensure that you follow any instructions or health, safety & environmental training the Company provides and report any hazards, injuries or ill health that present a serious and imminent risk.

Ensure that you follow any instructions or health, safety & environmental training provided by the company and report any hazards, injuries or ill health that present a serious and imminent risk and inform your line manager about any shortcomings you identify within your health and safety arrangements.

Key Requirements

Skills & Experience

Job Specific Education Required:

Bachelor's degree in Accounting, Finance, Business Administration, Construction/Project Management, Engineering, or a related field is preferred.

Equivalent combination of relevant work experience and education will be considered in lieu of a degree.

Work Experience Required:

Progressive experience in project management, project accounting, financial analysis, or controllership, ideally within a manufacturing, industrial, energy, or pipeline-related environment.

Demonstrated experience managing project budgets, forecasts, and cost reporting for capital or operational projects.

Hands‑on experience with SAP required; experience with IFS strongly preferred.

Experience in pipeline manufacturing, oil & gas, or a related heavy‑industrial sector is a plus.

Skills & Knowledge Required:

Strong financial acumen with the ability to translate project activity into clear budget, forecast, and variance analysis.

Solid understanding of project management fundamentals: scheduling, scope management, resource planning, and risk management.

Proficiency with SAP (required) and IFS (preferred) for project cost tracking, budgeting, and reporting.

Advanced Microsoft Excel skills; experience with project management or BI/reporting tools (e.g., MS Project, Power BI) is a plus.

Excellent analytical, organisational, and problem‑solving skills with strong attention to detail and accuracy.

Strong communication skills, with the ability to present financial and project information clearly to both technical and non‑technical audiences.

Ability to manage multiple projects and priorities simultaneously in a fast‑paced manufacturing environment.

High degree of integrity and sound judgement in handling confidential financial and project information.

Communication Requirements:

Internal Communications

Collaborate closely with plant operations, finance, procurement, and other internal departments to support accurate financial reporting and cost analysis.

Work with site leadership and operational teams to ensure timely and accurate accounting information is maintained. Interface with internal stakeholders, external vendors, and auditors as needed to address inquiries, support reporting requirements, and resolve discrepancies. Participate in regular team, operational, and safety meetings.

External Communications

Maintain professional communication with external vendors and service providers regarding invoices, payment inquiries, and account-related matters.

Assist with resolving discrepancies and maintaining accurate supporting documentation as needed.