Project Financial Controls Manager

Milhouseinc

Chicago (IL)

On-site

USD 120,000 - 170,000

Full time

11 days ago

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Benefits offered by this job

Health benefits

401(k) plan

Paid holidays

Professional development incentives

Tuition assistance

Transit benefits

Parental leave

Recognition program

Job summary

Milhouse Engineering and Construction, Inc. is seeking a Project Financial Controls Manager to lead the controls function for profitable project delivery. You will supervise the controls team, approve project setups in Deltek, and establish forecasts, reviews, and reporting standards to guard against financial risk.

The role requires deep experience in project finance, P&Ls, and contract structures, with a focus on delivering measurable improvements and training for staff across the organization.

Qualifications

Bachelor’s degree in Finance, Accounting, Business, Construction Management or related field.
Minimum 10 years of progressive experience in project controls or project finance.
Prior leadership experience managing Controls teams.

Responsibilities

Lead and develop the Project Financial Controls team and assign coverage.
Approve project setups and structural changes in Deltek, including budgets and key financial assumptions.
Establish standards for forecasting, reviews, and recurring reporting.
Review P&Ls and performance metrics such as EAC, ETC, backlog, and margin.
Evaluate contract structures and financial risks from terms and staffing plans.
Escalate risks and guide corrective actions and staffing analyses.
Translate findings into actionable recommendations for project managers.
Lead controls review meetings and ensure Deltek updates are reflected.
Provide training on project financial controls and profitability practices.
Drive continuous improvement in controls and governance processes.

Skills

Team leadership

Deltek Vantagepoint/Vision

Forecasting

Financial reviews

Project controls

Excel

Risk analysis

Problem solving

Education

Bachelor’s degree in Finance/Accounting/Business/Construction Management/Engineering Management

Tools

Deltek Vantagepoint/Vision

Microsoft Excel

Job description

The Project Financial Controls Manager leads the financial controls and governance function within PF&G and is responsible for ensuring projects are financially structured, forecasted, monitored, and challenged to support profitable delivery. Operating within the Milhouse Project Management Methodology (PMM), this role leads the Controls team, establishes financial review and validation standards, and partners with Project Managers and Group Leaders to identify financial risk and drive corrective action throughout the project lifecycle.

Lead and develop the Project Financial Controls team and assign project validation and financial review coverage.

Approve project setups and structural changes in Deltek, including contract type, billing structure, rates, fees, revenue method, budgets, phases/tasks, and key financial assumptions.

Establish and maintain standards for project forecasting, financial reviews, invoice validation, controls documentation, audit support, and recurring reporting.

Review project P&Ls and financial performance, including revenue, direct labor, subconsultants/ODCs, overhead, multipliers, margin, burn, backlog, EAC, ETC, and remaining fee.

Evaluate T&M/cost-plus and lump-sum/fixed-fee project structures and identify financial risks created by contract terms, rate tables, staffing plans, scope changes, or delivery performance.

Review high-risk projects, material revisions, margin deterioration, revenue leakage, and control exceptions; escalate significant risks and recommend corrective actions. Guide resource and staffing analysis by evaluating labor mix, billing rates, cost rates, overhead burden, remaining budget, and expected margin to support profitable project delivery.

Translate financial findings into clear recommendations for Project Managers and Group Leaders, including staffing, scope, rate, change‑order, billing, or delivery actions.

Ensure invoices do not bypass required Controls validation and verify that identified exceptions are resolved before invoices advance for Project Manager approval.

Lead Controls review of percent-complete (% complete) and monthly project financial meetings; challenge % complete, ETC/EAC, staffing, remaining fee, backlog, and revenue assumptions, and ensure approved updates are reflected in Deltek.

Provide training and guidance to Controls staff and project teams on project financial controls, forecasting, profitability, and related best practices.

Drive continuous improvement in project financial controls, reporting, and governance processes using project performance data and recurring findings.

Four-year bachelor's degree in Finance, Accounting, Business, Construction Management, Engineering Management, or a related field from an accredited College or University. Equivalent relevant experience may be considered.

Minimum 10 years of progressive experience in project controls, project finance, FP&A for a project-based business, or related financial operations;

Prior team leadership experience required.

Experience in engineering, construction, consulting, or another project-based professional services environment strongly preferred.

Advanced understanding of project financial management, project P&Ls, profitability, multipliers, labor and billing rates, overhead/burden rates, and margin analysis.

Strong knowledge of T&M/cost-plus and lump-sum/fixed-fee contract structures and the financial risks associated with each.

Demonstrated experience with project forecasting and controls, including EAC, ETC, backlog, burn rate, remaining fee, percent complete, and revenue leakage.

Ability to evaluate staffing/resource plans and model the impact of labor mix, rates, cost, and overhead on project profitability.

Strong quantitative analysis, forecasting, financial interpretation, and problem-solving skills with the ability to convert findings into corrective actions.

Demonstrated ability to lead and develop a team, establish standards, and manage multiple project reviews and deadlines.

Experience with Deltek Vantagepoint/Vision or a comparable project-based ERP; strong Microsoft Excel and reporting skills.

Knowledge of project management principles and professional-services or engineering/construction project delivery.

Milhouse is a pay transparency non-discrimination organization committed to fostering an inclusive and equitable workplace. We ensure that all employees are compensated fairly and without bias, in accordance with applicable laws and regulations. In compliance with the Illinois Equal Pay Act, effective January 1, 2025, we include pay scales and benefits in all job postings and ensure that all promotion opportunities are communicated to current employees within 14 days of external postings. Additionally, we participate in E-Verify to confirm employment eligibility and uphold compliance with federal requirements.

Here’s a little information on Milhouse Engineering and Construction, Inc.:

Milhouse Engineering and Construction, Inc. was founded in 2001 with the goal of building the best engineering company in the country. It was based on the belief that if we hired great people, fueled their passion while challenging them to excel, and maintained a laser focus on the needs of your clients, success would come- and so it has. Our portfolio of successful projects continues to grow, our family of highly satisfied clients continues to expand, and our staff just gets better and better.

We are a unique, Chicago-based firm whose collective passion, vision and expertise has led to phenomenal growth! With more than 500+ talented professionals and offices across the globe, Milhouse offers a dynamic work environment where there is no limit to what you can achieve if you are willing to go after it.

Our people are the cornerstone of our organization, and key to our success. Join a remarkably talented team that shares a passion for what they do and a vision for improving communities around the world through innovative engineering and construction.

Medical, Dental & Vision Coverage – Reach out to learn how your deductible could be covered 100% through Garner Health!

Company Sponsored Life InsuranceandShort-Term Disability – We’ve got your back when life takes unexpected turns.

Voluntary Coverages – Take control of your well‑being with added coverage options.

Discounted Gym Membership – Stay active with wellness options that support your fitness goals.

Competitive Base Salary – Earn what you're worth in a performance-driven culture.

401(k) Retirement Plan – Build your future with confidence.

Professional Development Incentives – Get rewarded for growing your skills — includingbonuses for earning your P.E. License.

Milhouse University (Cross‑Functional Training) – Expand your expertise with internal training built to elevate your career and receive PDH credits for applicable training towards professional engineering licenses, etc..