Own the numbers. Elevate our story.
Step into the spotlight as Nelson-Rudie’s Director of Finance - a strategic partner and executive leader who turns numbers into momentum for a 100% employee-owned engineering firm. You’ll be the architect behind our financial strategy, guiding everything from budgeting and forecasting to cash flow and reporting. Your expertise will fuel our growth, empower our engineering teams, and keep our project-based accounting running smoothly for innovative engineering initiatives nationwide.
This isn’t just about compliance and accuracy, though you’ll nail those, too. It’s about driving innovation, making smart decisions, and helping every employee-owner see the impact of their work. If you love blending big-picture vision with hands-on leadership in the engineering world, this role is for you.
Why You’ll Love This Role
- Big canvas: exciting mix of projects across the country, lots of variety.
- Executive leadership and governance.
- Freedom to analyze and automate processes and fix what slows teams down.
- A culture that learns, adapts, and shares success.
Employee-Ownership Financial Leadership
- Understand how finance influences share price by improving margin discipline, smart capital allocation, and cash flow predictability and teaching those drivers to our employee-owners in a way they can understand to enhance the culture.
- Give quarterly updates with simple visuals and live walkthroughs of drivers.
- Participation in regular board presentations, governance touch points, and annual planning sessions.
Strategic Financial Leadership & ESOP-Specific Responsibilities
- Develop and implement financial strategies aligned with company goals and employee-ownership culture.
- Actively educate team members on employee-owned value creation, share price growth, and financial literacy to support generational wealth-building and engagement.
- Facilitate transparent communication about ESOP plan performance, distribution policies, and annual valuation processes.
- Advise the President and Executive Leadership Team on financial performance, risk management, and ESOP compliance.
- Support long-term planning and capital investment decisions.
Financial Planning + Analysis
- Lead annual budgeting and forecasting processes; monitor variances and recommend corrective actions.
- Collaborate with HR and operations to budget for staff training, development, and engagement initiatives, measuring ROI on people investments.
- Partner with business development and marketing to model financial scenarios for new markets, services, or client segments.
- Prepare accurate monthly, quarterly, and annual financial reports for internal and external stakeholders.
- Create reliable cash flow projections and manage liquidity to support operations and growth.
Accounting Operations + Technology Optimization
- Oversee accounts payable, accounts receivable, payroll, and general ledger functions.
- Maintain compliance with GAAP and applicable federal, state, and local regulations.
- Lead or co-lead finance system modernization, automation, and data analytics initiatives.
- Encourage adoption of dashboards and KPIs that empower project managers and leadership to make informed decisions.
- Manage audit processes and coordinate with external auditors and tax professionals.
Risk Management + Compliance
- Implement robust internal controls to safeguard company assets.
- Monitor regulatory changes and ensure adherence to financial laws and ESOP requirements.
Leadership, Succession Planning + Collaboration
- Build and mentor a high-performing finance team, supporting career pathways and internal mobility in alignment with Nelson-Rudie’s focus on staff development and succession planning.
- Partner with operations, HR, and technology leaders to align financial practices with business needs.
- Support project managers with job costing, billing, and construction-specific financial challenges.
- Provide training and guidance on financial processes and systems.
Board + Governance Engagement
- Participate in board meetings (even as a non-voting member), contribute to governance discussions, and support board-level financial reporting.
Culture + Values Integration
- Model and reinforce Nelson-Rudie’s core values (Connect, Adapt, Elevate, Innovate, Share Success) in financial practices and team leadership.
- Participate in culture building and reinforcing activities as a member of the executive leadership team
WHAT YOU’LL BRING
Bachelor’s degree in Finance, Accounting, or related field; CPA or MBA preferred.
7+ years of progressive finance experience, ideally in engineering or construction.
Strong knowledge of GAAP, financial modeling, and project-based accounting.
Proficiency in Deltek Ajera or similar ERP systems; advanced Excel skills required.
Excellent communication, analytical, and leadership skills.
BENEFITS + WORK STYLE
We offer a competitive salary and a comprehensive benefits package designed to support your success and well-being:
- Competitive Salary: We benchmark compensation to attract and retain top talent in the engineering industry.
- Medical, Dental, Vision & Life Insurance: Robust coverage for you and your family.
- Employee Stock Ownership Plan (ESOP): Become an employee-owner and share in the company’s success.
- 401(k) Retirement Plan & Bonus Program: Plan for your future with company contributions and annual performance bonuses.
- Flexible Hours & Hybrid Work: On average, expect 50% in-office time, with Thursdays as our all-company in-office day for collaboration and connection.
- Professional Growth: Opportunities for advancement, ongoing learning, and internal promotion.
- Energetic, Inclusive Culture: Work in a fast-paced, innovative environment where your voice matters and your impact is recognized.
About Us
Nelson-Rudie & Associates, Inc. (Nelson-Rudie) is a 100% employee-owned consulting engineering firm established in 1976. With a talented team of 80+ design professionals, the company provides structural, mechanical, electrical, and refrigeration engineering services on a wide range of project types across the country. We offer a fast-paced, energetic environment where innovation and collaboration thrive.
Visit nelsonrudie.comto learn more about our company.
