Project Controls Manager

Gardner Builders; Minneapolis (MN); Hybrid; USD 90,000 - 130,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Paid parking or public transportation

Company-provided phone

Laptop

Job summary

Gardner Builders is seeking a Project Controls Manager to guide the financial health of large construction projects from contract award through closeout. You will partner with Project Managers and accounting to forecast, monitor costs, and protect margins.

Applicants bring 5+ years in commercial construction accounting or PM, with strong forecasting and AIA pay app experience. This in-person role in Minneapolis offers hybrid work and a comprehensive benefits package.

Qualifications

• 5+ years of progressive commercial construction accounting or project management experience.
• Experience supporting large, complex construction projects with cross-functional teams.
• Strong understanding of forecasting, margin, cash flow and cost-to-complete.
• Experience with AIA pay apps, schedules of values and change orders is a plus.

Responsibilities

• Own the financial picture of one or more large projects typically $50M+.
• Drive monthly forecasts with project teams to validate costs and margins.
• Monitor budgets, commitments, actuals, contingency, and change orders.
• Prepare owner billings and supporting docs; manage unbilled work and closeout.
• Review pay apps with teams and trade partners; ensure contract compliance.
• Build cash flow forecasts and manage collections and retainage timing.
• Provide clear financial insights to project leaders and Controller.
• Improve billing, cost coding, and cost management practices.

Skills

Financial analysis

Forecasting

Cost-to-complete

Cash flow

Excel

Communication

Attention to detail

Education

Bachelor's degree in accounting/finance or related field

Tools

CMiC

Textura

Procore

Excel

Job description

At Gardner, we believe commercial construction should feel as welcoming as it is professional. That’s why we don’t just build and renovate spaces; we build relationships rooted in hospitality. Our mission is to set the platinum standard for our clients, partners, and team members by delivering exceptional results while embodying our core values: passion, humility, excellence, empathy, and nimbleness. We bring a hospitality-driven approach to every project, ensuring that every interaction is thoughtful, responsive, and human-centered.

Who You Are

You’re curious about what’s behind the numbers and confident asking the questions that help a team see the full picture. You understand how construction projects come together and how decisions along the way affect cost, cash flow, and profitability.

You enjoy being a trusted partner to project teams. You can dig into the details, challenge an assumption with care, and turn complex financial information into a clear next step. You take ownership, follow through, and bring a hospitality mindset to the people who count on you.

At Gardner, we believe how we build matters as much as what we build. As our Project Controls Manager, you’ll help guide the financial health of large, complex projects from contract award through closeout, working closely with Project Managers, Project Executives, and our accounting team.

What Success Looks Like

• Project teams trust the numbers and have a clear understanding of where their projects are headed financially.
• Forecasts reflect reality, with assumptions thoughtfully challenged and remaining costs accurately accounted for.
• Financial risks and opportunities are identified early, with practical recommendations that help protect margin and cash flow.
• Owner billings and trade partner payments are accurate, timely, and supported by complete documentation.
• Cash needs are anticipated, collections stay on track, and payment issues are addressed before they create larger challenges.
• Project Managers and Project Executives count on you as an engaged partner who asks good questions, follows through, and helps them make informed decisions.
• Owners, trade partners, and teammates experience Gardner’s hospitality through your responsiveness, clarity, and care.

How You’ll Contribute

• Own the financial picture of one or more large construction projects, typically $50M+ and delivered through cost-plus-fee contracts with a guaranteed maximum price.
• Drive monthly project forecasts, partnering with project teams to validate remaining costs, challenge assumptions, and maintain a dependable view of final cost and margin.
• Monitor budgets, commitments, actual costs, contingency, and change orders to identify risks and opportunities early and recommend practical next steps.
• Prepare and submit accurate owner billings, including AIA pay applications and supporting documentation, while keeping unbilled work and closeout requirements moving.
• Partner with project teams and trade partners to review pay applications, confirm contract and documentation compliance, and resolve payment questions.
• Build forward-looking cash flow forecasts, follow up on collections, and anticipate the timing of billings, payments, and retainage releases.
• Give project leaders and the Controller clear financial insights that support decisions and protect project profitability.
• Help project teams strengthen billing, cost coding, and cost management practices while contributing to better processes across accounting.

What You’ll Bring

• 5+ years of progressive commercial construction accounting or project management experience with a general contractor or construction manager.
• Experience supporting large, complex construction projects and collaborating with project teams, accounting, and financial leadership.
• A strong understanding of construction accounting and project economics, including forecasting, cost-to-complete, margin, and cash flow.
• Working knowledge of AIA G702/G703 pay applications, schedules of values, change orders, stored-material billing, retainage, and supporting documentation.
• Strong analytical skills, sound judgment, and the confidence to investigate discrepancies and constructively challenge assumptions.
• Clear communication, strong relationship-building skills, and the ability to manage competing deadlines without losing sight of the details.
• Proficiency with Excel, construction accounting systems, and construction management software.
• Openness to light travel (generally under 15%) for visits to client sites and visits to other Gardner offices — typically planned well in advance and with flexibility to accommodate personal and family needs.

What Will Set You Apart

• Direct experience managing financial performance on $50M+ cost-plus-fee, guaranteed maximum price projects.
• Familiarity with CMiC, Textura, and Procore.
• A bachelor’s degree in accounting, finance, or a related field, or an equivalent combination of education and experience.
• Examples of turning financial analysis into decisions that improved project outcomes.
• Experience helping project teams build stronger financial practices and more consistent processes.
• A natural connection to Gardner’s values of passion, humility, excellence, empathy, and nimbleness.

Why Join Gardner Builders?

We are proud to be recognized as:

• 8-Time “Best Places to Work” by Minneapolis/St. Paul Business Journal
• 6-Time “Top 150 Workplaces” by Minneapolis Star Tribune
• #1 Top Workplace in Construction by Star Tribune (2023)
• 4-Time “Best Workplace” by Inc. Magazine
• “Best Places to Work” by Milwaukee Business Journal

Our culture-first approach encourages personal and professional growth, an EOS-led structure, and a commitment to building a workplace where everyone feels valued, challenged, and loves coming to work.

Compensation & Benefits

• Annual Salary: $90,000 - $130,000 (paid weekly) + discretionary bonus.
• Comprehensive Benefits: Health, dental, vision, HSA with employer contribution, and 401(k) plan with employer contribution
• Ancillary Benefits: Company-paid basic life & AD&D insurance, company-paid long-term disability, company-paid employee assistance program, accident insurance, and critical illness insurance
• Perks: Paid parking or public transportation costs, company-provided phone, and laptop.
• Work-Life Balance: Generous paid time off, paid sabbatical leave, paid bereavement leave, paid parental leave, free onsite fitness facility, and regular company and team outings.

Interview Process

Our process typically includes three conversations (phone and in-person) to ensure a mutual fit.

Pre-Employment Screening

Drug screen and background check required.

Other Items to Note

• Gardner reserves the right to hire any individual without legal or financial obligation for unwanted solicitations. No agency emails, calls, or solicitations are accepted without a valid agreement.
• Must be currently legally authorized to work in the U.S. without sponsorship for employment visa status (e.g., H1B status, 0-1, TN, CPT, OPT, etc.). We are unable to sponsor or take over sponsorship of an employment Visa at this time.
• We are only considering local candidates at this time. We are unable to provide relocation assistance at this time.

Physical Demands & Work Environment

• This is a full-time, in-person role located in Minneapolis. Remote work is available as needed but is not intended to be standard operating procedure.
• This role is based on a jobsite, but may require travel to a culture hub, client site, etc. Travel and work location requirements will vary based on project assignments. This position requires prolonged periods of sitting at a desk and working on a computer, with frequent use of typing, writing, and handling documents.
• Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions of the role.