Operations Controller in Surrey

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:

• 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.

Behaviors

• Detail Oriented: Capable of carrying out a given task with all details necessary to get the task done well.
• Leader: Inspires teammates to follow them.
• Functional Expert: Considered a thought leader on a subject.

Education

• Bachelor's Degree or better in Accounting or related field.