Director of Finance - Construction Company

Job Description

Job DescriptionSalary: DOE

Director of Finance Job Description

J. Benton Construction - Caribbean Construction Experts is more than a construction company. We're a team of builders that nurtures the needs of our clients while giving back to the Virgin Islands community where we live and work. Our goal is to be seen as one of the leading companies in the Caribbean by providing our clients with an unrelenting focus on customer service. We accomplish this by striving for excellence through continuous improvement and successfully completing projects without sacrificing quality. The project experience is just as significant to our team as the final product. We are proud to call the U.S. Virgin Islands our home.

Since 2019, J. Benton has been in a strategic partnership with Consigli Construction Co., Inc., one of the Northeasts top general contractors, allowing both companies to leverage their shared experience, complementary strengths and resources for a best-in-class approach to wide variety of projects.

The Director of Finance will oversee all financial activities for the company, ensuring the financial health and growth of the business. This individual will provide strategic leadership and direction to the finance department, collaborating with senior leadership to drive profitability, cost efficiency, and sustainable financial management. The Director of Finance will also play a pivotal role in financial reporting, forecasting, budgeting, and compliance, with a strong focus on the unique needs of the construction industry.

RESPONSIBILITIES

Responsibilities include, but are not limited to:

• Financial Planning & Analysis:
  • Lead the preparation of annual budgets and long-term financial forecasts.
  • Provide analysis and recommendations on financial performance, including cost management, profitability, and cash flow.
  • Identify trends, variances, and key metrics related to project costs, margins, and overhead.
• Cash Flow Management:
  • Manage the companys cash flow and liquidity, ensuring sufficient funds are available for operational needs and strategic investments.
  • Oversee invoicing, collections, and working capital management for projects to ensure timely cash flow.
• Project Financial Oversight:
  • Collaborate with project managers and operations teams to track and manage project budgets, ensuring alignment with financial targets and timelines.
  • Oversee the financial aspects of contracts, change orders, and job costing to ensure accurate tracking of project costs.

• Accounting:
  • Oversee accounting functions, including general ledger, accounts payable, accounts receivable, and payroll.
  • Prepare and review financial statements, including balance sheets, income statements, and cash flow statements, ensuring accuracy and timeliness.
  • Lead the preparation and review of WIP reports to monitor project financials, including under/overbillings, job cost variances, and profit margins.
  • Ensure accurate, timely reporting to stakeholders, highlighting potential risks and financial trends.
• Risk Management:
  • Owner Bonding Requirements: Oversee and manage bonding requirements related to projects, ensuring compliance with owner and contractual obligations.
  • Owner Insurance Requirements:
    • Ensure proper insurance coverage for each project, in line with owner requirements.
    • Collaborate with Estimating & Purchasing teams to ensure insurance and bonding requirements are incorporated into project plans and contracts.
• Compliance:
  • External Audits:
    • Lead and manage annual financial audits, including Workers Compensation and General Liability audits.
    • Oversee any other required audits, including IRS, VI Bureau of Internal Revenue, and VI Dept of Labor audits.
  • Internal Audits:
    • Manage the internal audit process, ensuring that financial controls and reporting procedures align with internal policies and industry standards.
• Team Leadership & Development:
  • Manage and mentor the finance team, ensuring efficient workflows and skill development.
  • Foster a culture of continuous improvement, driving the team to adopt best practices and new technologies to streamline finance operations.
• Strategic Financial Leadership:
  • Collaborate with the executive team to develop and implement financial strategies that align with the companys long-term objectives.
  • Support decision-making by providing financial insights and scenario modeling for new projects, investments, and acquisitions.

• Reporting & Communication:
  • Prepare detailed financial reports and presentations for senior leadership, stakeholders, and investors.
  • Communicate financial performance and challenges to non-financial managers and team members in a clear and concise manner.

CORE COMPETENCIES

• Strong interpersonal skills.
• Detail-oriented with strong organizational skills.
• Ability to manage multiple priorities in a fast-paced environment.
• Results-driven with a strategic mindset and business acumen.
• Team Leadership & Development.

REQUIRED EDUCATION AND EXPERIENCE

• A Bachelors Degree in Accounting, Business Management or closely related field. MBA or CPA preferred.
• Minimum of 7 years of progressive experience
  in finance and accounting, with
  at least 5 years in a senior leadership role, preferably as a Director.
• Proven experience in the construction industry or related field (e.g., real estate development, engineering, infrastructure), with a strong understanding of job costing, WIP schedules, and project-based accounting.
• Demonstrated success in leading financial planning and analysis (FP&A) including budgeting, forecasting, and cash flow modeling for a multi-project environment.
• Hands-on experience managing cash flow and working capital, including billing, collections, and vendor payment cycles within a project-based operation.
• Strong background in financial reporting and GAAP compliance, including preparation and review of balance sheets, income statements, and cash flow reports.
• Experience conducting and managing external audits (e.g., financial, workers comp, insurance) and internal audits, including compliance with federal and local tax and labor authorities.
• Experience with owner-required bonding and insurance processes, including documentation, negotiation, and compliance for construction contracts.
• Familiarity with construction contracts, subcontracts, change orders, and financial risk assessment.
• Strong leadership and team development experience, with a track record of building and mentoring high-performing finance teams.
• Ability to present complex financial information clearly and concisely to non-financial stakeholders, including project managers, executives, and clients.
• Proficient in construction accounting software (e.g., Sage 300 CRE, or equivalent) and advanced Excel skills for financial modeling and data analysis are highly desirable.
• Demonstrated ability to provide strategic financial leadership, including scenario modeling, investment evaluation, and long-term financial planning.
• Experience collaborating across departments such as Operations, Estimating, Legal, and Purchasing.

An Affirmative Action / Equal Opportunity Employer

J. Benton Construction provides equal employment opportunities to all employees and applicants for employment and prohibits discrimination and harassment of any type without regard to race, color, religion, age, sex, national origin, disability status, genetics, protected veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, or any other characteristic protected by federal, state, or local laws.