Tier One Construction Project - Melbourne
Red Appointments is partnering with an established contracting organisation is seeking an experienced Finance Operations Manager to operate in a project-embedded Project Controls and commercial leadership role on a Tier One construction project in Melbourne.
This permanent and full time position is deliberately site-focused and delivery-driven, with a strong emphasis on project controls, forecasting accuracy, commercial performance, and risk management. It is suited to a hands-on finance professional who thrives inside live construction environments and works closely with project, commercial and site leadership teams.
The Role:
Reporting to the Division Manager and working day-to-day with senior project leadership, you will act as a core member of the project controls function, responsible for governing financial performance, providing commercial insight and supporting informed decision-making throughout the project life-cycle.
You will be embedded in the delivery environment, actively supporting the project team with cost control, forecasting, cashflow, WIP, claims and commercial governance, ensuring financial outcomes are transparent, accurate and proactively managed.
This role operates at the intersection of finance, commercial management, and project controls, with a strong on-site presence and direct involvement in project delivery.
Project Location & Work Environment:
This is a project-embedded role, based across delivery and operational locations within the inner northern corridor of Melbourne, north-east of the CBD.
You will spend the majority of your time working alongside project directors, commercial managers, engineers and site teams, supporting live delivery, governance forums and reporting cycles. A consistent and visible on-site presence is fundamental to the success of this role.
Key Responsibilities:
- Act as the project-embedded finance and project controls lead for a Tier One construction project
- Support project leadership with financial governance, commercial controls, and performance reporting
- Own and drive project cost control, forecasting accuracy, cashflow, management and WIP reporting
- Lead and guide project teams through claims, variations, progress claims and month-end processes
- Analyse project performance to identify risks, trends, and opportunities early in the delivery cycle
- Provide clear, practical commercial insights to support project decision-making
- Support project governance forums, board reporting and financial reviews
- Partner with commercial managers to ensure contract terms, claims strategies and recoveries are commercially effective
- Drive discipline and consistency across project controls systems, processes, and reporting
- Ensure compliance with legislative, taxation, audit, and corporate governance requirements
- Support internal and external audits relevant to project delivery
- Promote continuous improvement across project commercial and financial controls
About You:
You are a project-controls-oriented finance leader who is comfortable operating on site and influencing outcomes in a delivery-focused environment.
You will bring:
- Tertiary qualification in Accounting or Commerce
- CA or CPA qualification
- Significant experience in tier one sized project-based finance, commercial or project controls role
- Strong understanding of project cost control, WIP, forecasting, cashflow and claims management
- Experience working in site-embedded or delivery-aligned roles
- Ability to partner effectively with project, commercial and engineering teams
- Strong analytical capability with a focus on insight, not just reporting
- High attention to detail and ability to meet tight reporting cycles
- Clear communication skills and confidence operating in governance and executive forums
Highly Desirable:
- Experience supporting Tier One builders or major infrastructure projects
- Background in construction, and/or electrical contracting environments
- Exposure to formal project controls frameworks or large-scale project governance
What's On Offer:
- Senior project-controls-focused finance role embedded in a Tier One construction project
- High-impact position with direct influence on delivery and commercial outcomes
- Strong exposure to project, divisional and executive leadership
- Opportunity to play a key role in the successful delivery of a major project
To apply for this position please select the Apply Now button and forward your resume in MS Word format only. For a confidential chat about the opportunity, please call Gillian Morrell on 0432 189 475.
PLEASE NOTE - To be considered for this position applicants must have the right to work in Australia. Only shortlisted applicants will be contacted.
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