Sr Program Controller

CBRE Government & Defense Services; United States; Remote; USD 135,000 - 165,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical benefits

Well-being programs

Financial planning

Short-term incentives

Job summary

CBRE Government & Defense Services seeks a Senior Program Controller to lead program finance, FP&A, and contract financial management. You will guide budgeting, forecasting, and strategic analysis to support profitability across labor-intensive service contracts.

The role requires coordinating with senior leadership, ensuring FAR/CAS/GAAP compliance, and leveraging Power BI for dashboard insights. Travel is minimal to occasional.

Qualifications

• Education: degree in finance or accounting preferred but not required.
• 7+ years in program finance or related experience.
• 2+ years in leadership or supervisory role.
• Experience with government contracting and/or outsourced facilities management strongly preferred.

Responsibilities

• Lead financial leadership and strategic support across organization.
• Oversee Program Finance/contract financial management and FP&A activities.
• Manage labor and subcontractor accruals, vendor costs, and SOX-compliant revenue recognition.
• Support contract setup, WBS structures, and ERP configuration (JAMIS, SAP, Deltek, PeopleSoft).
• Monitor funding, AR, margins, and rate structures; present to senior leadership.

Skills

FP&A

Budgeting

Forecasting

Margin analysis

Leadership

Cross-functional collaboration

Communication

Education

Bachelor’s degree in finance or accounting

Tools

Power BI

JAMIS

SAP

Deltek

PeopleSoft

Job description

The Senior Program Controller leads the strategic direction and day-to-day operations of Program Finance functions. The position serves as a key leader in financial planning and analysis. Their primary responsibility is to oversee the financial operations of the company, ensuring that financial strategies align with the overall business objectives. By analyzing financial data and trends, the Senior Program Controller helps guide decision-making processes that drive the company's growth and profitability. This role blendsProgram Finance leadership, FP&A, accounting oversight, and decision supportto ensure strong financial governance, profitability, and operational alignment across labor-intensive service contracts.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities

Financial Leadership & Strategic Support

• This role will need to effectively interact with multiple levels of leadership within the organization including SBU (Strategic Business Unit) and Corporate Leadership. Act as a trusted financial advisor to operational leadership, providing insight on profitability, margin drivers, and cost structure.
• Lead annual operating plan (AOP), budget development, forecasts, outlooks (EAC/ETC), and variance analysis.
• Translate financial results into actionable operational and strategic recommendations.

Program Finance / Contract Financial Management

• Oversee financial performance of government contracts, ensuring compliance with contract terms, FAR/CAS/GAAP, and internal controls.
• Manage or review labor accruals, subcontractor accruals, vendor costs, and SOX-compliant revenue recognition.
• Support contract setup, WBS structures, charging practices, and ERP configuration (e.g., JAMIS, SAP, Deltek, Peoplesoft).
• Monitor funding, billed/unbilled AR, subcontractor costs, and margin performance.
• Knowledge of Indirect Pool Structures, including, but not limited to PMO rates, fringe rates, overhead rates, and G&A rates.

People Leadership & Cross-Functional Collaboration

• Lead, mentor, and develop finance team members (Analysts as applicable).
• Partner cross-functionallywith Operations, Contracts, HR, Procurement, and Accounting.
• Present financial results, risks, and recommendations to senior leadership.

Education, Experience and Skill Requirements:

• Education
• Bachelor’s degree in finance or accounting preferred but not required
• Experience
• 7+ years of program finance/related experience,
• 2+ years in a leadership or supervisory role.
• Construction, BOS and O&M knowledge.
• Experience supporting government contracting and/or outsourced facilities management, IFM, O&M, or BOS environments strongly preferred

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities

• Strong understanding of FP&A, budgeting, forecasting, and margin analysis
• Experience with labor-intensive, service contracts (janitorial, maintenance, grounds, BOS, O&M)
• Understanding of government and/or complex commercial contract types (FFP, CPAF, CPFF, T&M, IDIQ, LOE)
• Power BI and/or equivalent experience in developing& maintainingaggregated financial dashboards.
• Excellent communication skills with ability to explain complex financial concepts to non-financial leaders

Travel Requirements

• Minimal to occasional (≤10%), asrequiredfor site reviews, audits, or leadership meetings

The base salary range for this position is $135,000–$165,000. This position may also be eligible for a wide range of competitive benefits that can include but not limited to: medical, well-being, financial planning and short-term incentives benefits.

This description is not intended to be an all-inclusive list of the accountabilities of the job described. Rather, it describes the general nature of the job. In addition, some aspects of this job may change over time according to business needs, and these changes may not be recorded immediately. The requirements stated represent the minimum levels of knowledge, skills, and/or abilities required to qualify and satisfactorily perform this job.

This document should not be construed as creating a contract of employment between CBRE Government & Defense Services and any of its employees or otherwise altering an employee’s at-will employment relationship with CBRE Government & Defense Services.

Equal Opportunity Employer/Protected Veterans/Individuals with Disabilities
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