7-15+ years of finance experience with a focus on senior leadership roles
Background in manufacturing, engineered products, or industrial projects
Strong grasp of project accounting and operational finance
Experience managing working capital in project-based settings
Proficient in financial control and reporting
Familiarity with ERP systems, particularly SAP Business ByDesign is a plus
Responsibilities
Lead US finance operations including month-end close and compliance
Deliver accurate monthly management accounts
Ensure robust financial governance and balance sheet reconciliations
Oversee project accounting for large-scale manufacturing contracts
Manage US cash flow forecasting and liquidity planning
Partner with project managers on profitability and risk assessments
Drive finance process improvements and reporting automation
Benefits
Opportunity to join a rapidly scaling business in a high-growth sector
Exposure to major hyperscale and AI infrastructure projects
High-impact leadership role with significant autonomy
Strong growth and career development opportunities
Collaborative international leadership environment
Full Job Description
Role Overview
This is a senior finance leadership role within a high-growth, project-driven manufacturing environment. The successful candidate will lead the US finance function while partnering closely with operations, production, supply chain, engineering, project management and executive leadership.
The role requires a strong combination of:
Financial control and compliance
Manufacturing and project accounting
Working capital and cash flow management
Commercial finance and operational partnering
Systems/process improvement
Leadership in a fast-scaling environment
The individual will play a key role in building a scalable finance infrastructure capable of supporting substantial US growth in the data center sector.
Key Responsibilities
Financial Control & Reporting
Lead all US finance operations including month-end close, reporting, controls and compliance
Deliver accurate and timely monthly management accounts
Ensure robust balance sheet reconciliations and financial governance
Manage US statutory, sales tax and regulatory compliance requirements
Support annual audit processes and external advisor relationships
Maintain strong internal controls in a rapidly scaling environment
Manufacturing & Project Accounting
Oversee project accounting for large-scale engineered-to-order manufacturing contracts
Monitor revenue recognition under percentage-of-completion methodologies
Manage WIP, accrued revenue, deferred revenue and project margin reporting
Partner with operations to improve labor utilisation, productivity and project costing accuracy
Drive visibility around material usage, scrap recovery, manufacturing variances and cost controls
Support inventory accuracy, valuation and operational finance reporting
Working Capital & Cash Management
Lead US cash flow forecasting and liquidity planning
Manage debtor collections, milestone billing and customer cash conversion
Monitor DSO, inventory turns and supplier payment performance
Support banking relationships and financing initiatives including working capital facilities and asset-based lending structures
Commercial Finance & Business Partnering
Partner with project managers and operational leaders on profitability, risk and execution
Support bid reviews, commercial assessments and contract governance
Provide financial insight into pricing, margins and operational performance
Help drive operational accountability through KPI reporting and business analytics
Systems & Process Improvement
Improve finance processes, controls and reporting automation
Support continued rollout and optimisation of SAP Business ByDesign and Power BI reporting
Develop scalable reporting structures suitable for a growing multi-site US operation
Assist in developing integrated labor, production and project performance reporting
Leadership
Build and develop the US finance team over time
Act as a key member of the US leadership team
Foster a high-accountability, hands-on and solutions-focused culture
Work closely with Group Finance and leadership teams across Ireland and the US
Requirements
Required Experience
7-15+ years finance experience with progression into senior finance leadership
Experience in manufacturing, engineered products, construction, industrial projects or related sectors
Strong understanding of project accounting and operational finance
Experience managing working capital in project-based environments
Strong financial control and reporting background
Experience operating in a scaling or fast-growth business environment
ERP experience essential (SAP Business ByDesign experience advantageous)
Preferred Experience
Data center, electrical, modular construction or industrial manufacturing exposure
Multi-entity or international group experience
Experience with percentage-of-completion accounting
Exposure to US sales tax compliance and multi-state operations
Experience supporting operational KPI and Power BI reporting environments
Personal Attributes
Commercially minded and operationally engaged
Strong leadership presence with the ability to influence across functions
Hands-on and comfortable operating in a fast-paced environment
Strong analytical and problem-solving capability
Able to balance strategic thinking with executional detail
High accountability and ownership mindset
Qualifications
CPA, or equivalent professional qualification preferred
Bachelor's degree in Accounting, Finance or related discipline
Key Success Measures
Accurate and timely month-end close
Improved cash conversion and working capital performance
Enhanced visibility and control over project profitability
Strong financial governance and audit readiness
Improved operational finance reporting and KPI accuracy
Scalable finance processes capable of supporting rapid US growth
Benefits
What CEL Offers
Opportunity to join a rapidly scaling business in one of the world's fastest-growing sectors
Exposure to major hyperscale and AI infrastructure projects
High-impact leadership role with significant autonomy
Strong growth and career development opportunity
Collaborative international leadership environment
What's Offered:
Competitive salary and performance-based incentives
Health, dental, and vision insurance
401(k) retirement plan
Paid time off and holidays
Professional development and career advancement opportunities
