Corp Operations Controller- Vegetation Management

Job Title: Operations Controller – Vegetation Management

Location: Willow Grove, PA

Department: Finance

Reports To: Director, Field Facing Analysis – Vegetation Management

Position Type: Full-time

Description:

The Operations Controller is responsible for driving planning/budgeting/forecasting processes for a specific geographic region or business unit, and ensuring the financial plans meet the expectations of business segment stakeholders. Reporting to the respective segment Field Facing Analysis leader, the role will operate in a matrix organization with responsibilities for coordinating and leading FP&A and Accounting efforts with the field to meet the business needs of P&L leadership and other stakeholders.

The Operations Controller is expected to work effectively across the company, evidenced by strong business partnership with the FP&A, accounting, field, IT, and business development functions. This position is expected to challenge and support the business, increasing our ability to anticipate issues and identify opportunities, and drive informed data‑driven decision making through diligent financial management. The successful candidate will be a hands‑on, client‑first strategic thinker, as well as a strong analytical leader with a proven track record of success in progressive finance roles.

The department is going through a transitionary period. We need a motivated team member who wants to be part of the design process and help create the desired product / future state processes and procedures. Initial responsibilities may be geographically agnostic and include:

• Collaborate on budgeting and forecasting process improvements including system implementation and leveraging greater level of detail to better analyze performance vs plan
• Assist in the development of detailed analyses to better identify and understand the drivers of variances vs plan and prior periods
• Work to develop a set of more comprehensive financial reports for operational leadership, ensuring everyone is looking at one set of numbers (i.e. helping to create reports that walk cost report forward to consolidated GAAP result)

Once future state processes and procedures are identified and defined, responsibilities are expected to shift as follows:

• Financial Leadership:
  Function as the designated financial leader to a business unit / geographic region to drive value creation for the Company
• Business Partnership:
  Establish and maintain effective relationships with operational management for the designated business unit / geographic region; significant travel required (estimated 50%)
• Financial and Business Strategy:
  Partner with operational and business leadership to develop and execute forward‑thinking strategy, business plans, and initiatives that align with the Company’s long‑range strategy and annual operating plans
• Continuous Improvement:
  Develop and implement improved processes, procedures, and internal controls utilizing industry best practices; evaluate current operational practices and establish an environment of continuous improvement to ensure established processes support effective and efficient management
• Financial Planning:
  Develop the long‑range plan (LRP), annual operating plan (AOP), quarterly and latest view forecasts based on key business drivers from Operations to achieve financial objectives; ensure accountability of financial results to appropriate business unit leadership
• Accounting and Reporting:
  Coordinate with Accounting the month‑end close process to ensure the business unit / geographic region’s results are accurate and complete; provide an analysis of variances against the approved targets; provide financial and operational performance trends to region / business unit leadership and offer advice and counsel to management for continuous improvement opportunities; coordinate and prepare project accounting reports for project management team
• Business Performance Management:
  Facilitate the month‑end financial reviews with Operations to review the P&L performance and key performance indicators (KPI’s); drive development of improvement plans with accountability;…