If you combine your construction industry financial expertise with a servant-leader approach and a drive for continuous improvement, this position offers you some very compelling opportunities. You will:

• Play a key role a strategic initiative to streamline our company, drive operational excellence, and build capacity in critical areas.
• Put your personal stamp on our company as you take a square one approach to implementing processes, controls and best practices. Quick question for you - click here
• Help identify and evaluate opportunities as we expand in the Midwest, helping shape our future -- and your own career -- in the process.
• Join a company committed to innovation, even in areas where innovation is not expected; we are one of the top 10 mechanical contractors in Illinois, one of the top 50 in the Midwest, and one of the top 500 nationwide.
• Enjoy a family-oriented culture that stretches back four generations, including work-life balance and a great partnership between leadership and employees.

If you're not already familiar with Urbana, Illinois, it is a mid-sized college town (home to the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign) with great schools and a low cost of living. Relocation assistance is available.

Building the future with quality, innovation and safety. A&R Mechanical Contractors is a fourth generation, family-owned company with humble beginnings. Now, with 90 years of experience under our belt, we have an extensive suite of service and repair offerings in piping, ventilation, plumbing and civil construction. Our turn-key capabilities set A&R Mechanical apart from the competition. Our reputation for innovative solutions stems from extensive experience as well as significant investment in state-of-the-art technology and machinery.

To be a good fit for the Director of Finance and Accounting opportunity, you will have:

• A bachelor’s degree in accounting or finance with 10+ years’ experience in progressively more responsible roles in a finance/accounting department.
• Experience in a senior financial management position with a $75 million+ construction services company.
• Experience working with a senior management team, resulting in the development and implementation of impactful financial management strategies.
• Familiarity with Excel, Word and financial reporting systems including G/L, A/P, A/R systems.
• Experience with construction-related ERP and project management systems such as Sage 300CRE, ProCore and/or Viewpoint is a plus
• Knowledge of continuous improvement methodology such as Lean or Six Sigma is preferred. At minimum you will need a drive to find better ways of doing things. Quick question for you - click here
• Experience with multi-state operations is a plus.

Just as important will be the following competencies and characteristics:

• Demonstrated leadership, team management, and interpersonal skills, including the ability to motivate others.
• High emotional intelligence and a servant-leader approach.
• The ability to organize work, engage in a variety of tasks simultaneously and consistently meet deadlines.
• Strong analytical, and written and oral communication skills.

A&R has been family-owned since 1925, and our ongoing growth has created the need for greater structure. We are working with a strong consultant who has provided a framework. Your mission will be to assess accounting and finance processes, identify areas to strengthen them and implement improvements. We'll look to you to promote a continuous improvement mindset in all areas.

You will report to and act as a key advisor to the president, and provide leadership to three managers and a total team of nine. The team is responsible for accounts payable, accounts receivable, payroll, cash management and treasury management. You also will oversee contracts administration and human resources, and provide high-level support for procurement, such as negotiating with strategic suppliers. Quick question for you - click here

Key responsibilities will include:

• Financial reporting and profit projections.
• Developing an annual budget and providing financial projections.
• Directing financial reporting, accounting and administrative services, insurance and bonding, and staff.
• Providing external lenders and the internal Board of Directors with relevant information in a timely manner.
• Creating an environment in the organization that fosters a mindset focused on profitability, growth, cash flow, and risk mitigation.

Your specific activities will fall into four main areas. This list is an overview, and not intended to be an exhaustive listing of duties and responsibilities.

• Financial planning and analysis, including preparing and maintaining regular financial planning reports for internal management and the Board of Directors, including monthly profit and loss forecast (vs. budget).
• Accounting activities, including overseeing preparation of month-end, quarter-end, and year-end financial statements.
• Cash management, including performing cash flow planning and ensuring that the organization’s capital structure and liquidity objectives are met.
• Risk management, including administering the company’s insurance programs, coordinating with the organization’s safety program leadership.

Strategic impact
Given the changes in the marketplace and our growth plans, we decided that this is the ideal time to lean out our organization and build strengths in key areas. You will help us in a number of ways, including identifying opportunities and enabling us to better forecast trends. In addition, you'll manage and develop your staff to build capacity.

Growth = opportunity
Our strategic plans include deepening our presence in Illinois and also expanding to other midwestern states. Not only will you support these efforts through valuations and other activities, but the growth could create opportunities for you to expand your role.

Innovation: Business as usual
Construction processes and technology are evolving rapidly and, in an industry that can be slow to change, A&R Mechanical Contractors is moving full-speed into the future. We have a long-standing commitment to technology that helps us work quickly and accurately while also mitigating risk.

Proven process
Our successful process-based approach enables us to focus on the most efficient ways to achieve customer goals and quality needs. This starts with our experienced designers and estimators who have the ability to envision the completed project before it begins. Our construction team then brings their expertise to the project, along with the capacity to complete the job from start to finish.

Excellent compensation
In addition to a competitive salary and generous performance-based bonus program, we offer comprehensive benefits, including medical insurance, flexible spending plans, a 401(k) plan with company match, paid time off, and more.

You should take a proactive approach to establishing your credibility quickly, and building relationships with different stakeholders. Currently there is a lot of "managing in the moment" and you'll play a lead role in transforming the organization to a more disciplined process orientation. You won't be alone in this effort, but it will require all of leadership to sell the improvements, influencing and motivating others to get on board.

In short order you should become a trusted advisor to the leadership team, particularly the President. In addition to providing higher-level thinking, you should be able to contribute to tactical considerations. We'll look to you to learn quickly and act with urgency, but we don't need bulls in our china shop. You should have the professional maturity to take calculated risks without being afraid of failure.

The accounting team is a tight-knit group, and the ideal leader for them is steady, motivating, and able to look beyond the self and focus on the success of the team. We're looking less for a manager and more for a coach who can articulate common goals, clarify expectations, provide support and hold people accountable.