1244-Project Controller

Reference number

2026-0084

Salary

Market + Benefits

Details

Lead, mentor, and develop the Project Accounting team by overseeing workload distribution, monitoring performance, and ensuring deadlines are met.
Oversee the financial management of construction projects, including progress billing, contractual holdbacks, subcontractor payments, documentation compliance, and project profitability monitoring.
Serve as a trusted business partner to operational teams by identifying financial risks, recommending corrective actions, and overseeing accounts receivable, cash flow, and project close-out activities.
Lead continuous improvement initiatives, including the automation of financial processes, optimization of internal controls, and participation in the implementation of the new CMiC ERP system.
Contribute to strategic finance initiatives and support operations by managing project accounting activities as needed.

Description

We have an outstanding opportunity for you to join a leading Québec-based construction company recognized for its expertise in managing and delivering large-scale construction projects as a Project Controller. Experiencing sustained growth, the organization is actively modernizing its financial processes, systems, and tools to support its continued expansion and enhance operational performance. You will report directly to the Director of Finance, a leader whom Cielo had the pleasure of placing in the past. Recognized for her collaborative leadership style, high standards, and people-first approach, she is committed to developing her team, empowering employees, and sharing her knowledge. This role offers an excellent opportunity for a finance leader who wants to make a tangible impact on operations, contribute to transformation initiatives, and play a key role in the growth of a well-established organization in the construction industry. The position is offered on a hybrid work model.

As the Project Controller, you will play a strategic role within the Finance team by overseeing the financial operations of construction projects, leading and developing your team, and driving the continuous improvement of financial processes and systems. You will serve as a trusted business partner to operational teams, helping ensure project profitability, the integrity of financial information, and the efficiency of day-to-day operations.

Approximately 30% of your time will be dedicated to team leadership. You will supervise, mentor, and develop the Project Accounting team while ensuring an equitable distribution of workloads and project assignments. You will establish performance objectives, conduct annual performance reviews, monitor key performance indicators (KPIs), and provide ongoing coaching and feedback. You will also ensure compliance with deadlines, internal policies, and accounting procedures to maintain a high standard of operational excellence.

Approximately 30% of the role will focus on technology projects and continuous improvement initiatives. You will actively contribute to the automation of financial processes, particularly within Accounts Payable, support the implementation of the new CMiC ERP system, and drive the optimization of project accounting processes, documentation, reporting tools, and internal controls. Leveraging your understanding of construction operations, you will help implement best practices, recommend practical improvements, and play a key role in transforming the finance function and deploying new technologies.

Approximately 30% of your responsibilities will involve overseeing the accounting activities related to construction projects. You will review and approve payment applications prepared by the team to ensure accuracy and timely submission. You will validate payments to subcontractors and suppliers before approval, plan disbursements based on cash flow availability, and oversee the management of contractual holdbacks, special payment agreements, and the collection of progress billings. You will also ensure that all supporting documentation required for payments, including lien waivers, CNESST and CCQ compliance certificates, and other mandatory documentation is complete and compliant.

You will closely monitor dashboards and performance indicators related to project progress, change orders, payment applications, and other key performance metrics. Acting as the primary finance resource for Vice Presidents, Project Directors, and Project Managers, you will provide guidance on complex issues related to subcontractor invoicing, project compliance, and financial matters. You will actively monitor project profitability, identify financial variances, risks, and anomalies, and recommend appropriate corrective actions to ensure sound financial management.

You will also oversee the weekly follow-up of accounts receivable collections and project close-outs in collaboration with Vice Presidents and the COO. Working closely with the Director of Finance, you will participate in the daily management of cash flow by determining which funds should be released or retained based on the financial status of each project.

Finally, approximately 10% of your time will be dedicated to strategic initiatives and special projects. You will support the Director of Finance on various ad hoc assignments, contribute to initiatives aimed at strengthening the finance function, and, when required, assume responsibility for the full accounting cycle of specific construction projects to ensure operational continuity.

This position represents an outstanding opportunity for a finance leader seeking to combine people leadership, expertise in construction project accounting, process improvement, and technology transformation within a dynamic and growing organization.

Profile

You are a bilingual Project Accounting Manager with more than 10 years of experience, including several years in the construction industry. Recognized for your collaborative leadership style, you have a proven ability to lead, develop, and motivate high-performing teams. You possess strong expertise in construction budgeting, progress billing, payment applications, contractual holdbacks, lien waivers, and the various compliance requirements unique to the construction sector.

Beyond your technical expertise, you are a trusted business partner who understands the operational realities of construction projects and collaborates effectively with project teams, operations, and senior leadership to ensure project profitability, maintain strong internal controls, and drive continuous process improvements. You are recognized for your attention to detail, organizational skills, and ability to identify financial risks while developing practical, value-added solutions.

Comfortable working in a fast-paced and evolving environment, you actively contribute to process automation initiatives, ERP implementation and optimization projects (CMiC or Maestro experience is considered an asset), and the development of best practices and key performance indicators (KPIs). You possess advanced Excel skills and demonstrate strong analytical, problem-solving, and communication abilities, enabling you to collaborate effectively with cross-functional stakeholders.

About us

CIELO is a recruitment firm specializing in finance, accounting and management in Quebec, Canada and internationally. Our head office is located in downtown Montreal. Only successful candidates will be invited to an interview. We would like to thank all the candidates for showing interest in this position. The masculine form is used to lighten the text.