Controller

Mainroad Group is seeking an experienced and hands-on Operations Controller to join our leadership team and oversee finance operations across our employee-owned group of highway maintenance and infrastructure services companies throughout British Columbia and Alberta.

Reporting to the Chief Financial Officer , the Operations Controller will play a key leadership role in ensuring the effective and efficient delivery of our day-to-day financial operations. This position will lead payroll, accounts payable, collections, working capital, operational cash flow, and support for accounts receivable , with a strong focus on operational efficiency, financial controls, service excellence, and business partnership.

Working closely with our Corporate Controller , who oversees accounting policies, consolidated financial reporting, and the month-end and year-end close processes, the Operations Controller will bring a practical, business-focused approach to the organization’s financial operations.

This is an opportunity for a finance leader who enjoys being close to the business and making a tangible impact. The successful candidate will thrive in a complex, multi-company and multi-location environment and will build strong, collaborative relationships with Operational Directors, General Managers, and teams across the organization .

We are looking for someone who combines strong financial expertise with leadership, sound judgment, operational curiosity, and a solutions-oriented mindset — someone who can improve processes, strengthen controls, develop people, and help our operational teams succeed.

What You'll Do:

• Lead payroll, accounts payable, collections, support accounts receivable, and related finance operations.


• Lead and develop the Payroll Supervisor and AP/AR Supervisor.


• Provide complete and timely operational finance information, reconciliations, and supporting schedules to the Corporate Controller for financial reporting and the month-end and year-end close.


• Partner with Operational Directors, General Managers on contract and project planning, work-in-progress reviews, forecasting, and operational performance.


• Monitor working capital, cash flow, aged receivables, holdbacks, and collection risks.


• Oversee centralized payroll for hourly, salaried, seasonal, unionized, and non-union employees across multiple companies and jurisdictions.


• Ensure operational finance activities comply with internal policies, delegated approval authorities, collective agreements, applicable legislation, and established control procedures.


• Identify opportunities to standardize, automate, and improve finance processes, controls, reporting, and service delivery.


• Establish meaningful performance measures for payroll, AP, AR, collections, and working capital.


• Mentor, coach, and develop employees, creating opportunities for growth and preparing team members to take on broader responsibilities.


• Build a capable, accountable, collaborative, and high-performing finance operations team.

What You Bring:

• CPA designation


• Bachelor’s degree in accounting, finance, business administration, or a related field.


• At least 8–10 years of progressive finance experience, including leadership responsibility.


• Strong experience in payroll, AP, AR, collections, working capital, and financial controls.


• Experience in highway maintenance, construction, infrastructure, transportation, utilities, field services, or another contract-based industry is preferred.


• Experience supporting multiple companies, locations, and operating teams.


• Knowledge of project accounting, work in progress, forecasting, and cost analysis.


• Experience with unionized payroll, collective agreements, ERP systems, and process improvement is an asset.


• Demonstrated ability to mentor, coach, and develop employees for broader responsibilities and career growth.


• Strong business judgment, analytical capabilities, communication skills, and a practical leadership style.