Business Unit Business Manager - Houston, TX

OVERVIEW

The Business Unit Finance Manager/Finance Business Partner is the primary finance partner to the assigned Business Unit Vice President and leadership team. This role translates operating and project performance into forward-looking financial insights, leads the Business Unit planning and reporting cadence, and supports decisions that improve growth, margin, cash flow, and return on resources. The position connects the Business Unit with Corporate Finance and Corporate Accounting, ensuring accurate reporting, disciplined forecasting, strong financial controls, and continuous improvement of finance and accounting processes.

ABOUT S&B

S&B is an exceptional full-service Engineering, Procurement, and Construction (EPC) company, proudly maintaining private ownership and operation for over five decades. With our extensive experience, we have successfully undertaken diverse projects across various industries, including Oil & Gas, Chemicals, Petrochemicals, Energy Transition, Power, and Pulp & Paper. What sets us apart is our unwavering commitment to safety, timely project completion, and cost-effective solutions. Our proven track record speaks for itself, as we consistently deliver outstanding results while adhering to the highest industry standards. Moreover, our company culture is unparalleled, fostering an environment of collaboration, innovation, and excellence. At S&B, we understand the value of our talented team, and we ensure they are rewarded accordingly. We offer a competitive compensation package, flexible and hybrid work schedules, and a comprehensive benefits program to attract and retain the best professionals in the field.

SUPERVISORY RESPONSIBILITIES:

N/A.

EDUCATION:

Bachelor's degree in Finance, Accounting, Business Administration, Economics, or a related field required.

MBA, CPA, CMA, or other relevant advanced degree or professional certification preferred.

QUALIFICATIONS AND EXPERIENCE:

• 8+ years of progressive experience in Financial Planning & Analysis, finance business partnering, project finance, corporate finance, accounting, or related disciplines; prior leadership experience preferred.
• Experience in engineering, procurement and construction (EPC), energy, oil and gas, industrial services, construction, or another project-based environment strongly preferred.
• Demonstrated ownership of budgets, forecasts, month-end reporting, variance analysis, management reporting, and executive presentations.
• Strong understanding of project financials, revenue and margin forecasting, cost-to-complete, backlog, cash flow, working capital, and Selling General & Administrative expense management.
• Working knowledge of U.S. GAAP, financial controls, and the relationship between operational activity and accounting results.
• Advanced Excel and financial modeling skills. Experience with OneStream, Oracle, Power BI, or comparable Enterprise Resource Planning, Enterprise Performance Management, and business intelligence tools preferred.
• Strong analytical judgment, commercial awareness, executive communication, and ability to influence without direct authority.
• Ability to manage multiple priorities, meet tight reporting deadlines, and operate effectively in a matrixed environment.

COMPUTER SKILLS AND DIGITAL COLLABORATION EXPECTATIONS:

• Demonstrated proficiency in Microsoft Office applications, including Outlook, Word, Excel, and PowerPoint, is required for effective communication, reporting, and documentation.
• Working knowledge of Microsoft Teams is required, including participation in virtual meetings, collaboration through chat and channels, document sharing, and coordination with distributed project teams.
• Ability to effectively use digital tools to support project coordination, reporting, scheduling updates, and communication across engineering, procurement, construction, and client teams.
• Willingness to adapt to evolving Company systems, software platforms, and digital workflows as project and business needs change.
• Comfortable working in a technology-enabled construction environment, including use of laptops, tablets, and mobile devices to access drawings, schedules, procedures, and project data.

TYPICAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:

Finance Business Partnership and Decision Support:

• Partner with the Business Unit Vice President and leadership team to evaluate financial performance, business priorities, resource needs, commercial opportunities, and operating risks.
• Provide clear, decision-oriented analysis of revenue, gross margin, overhead, backlog, project execution, cash flow, working capital, and key performance indicators.
• Challenge assumptions constructively, identify performance gaps and opportunities, and recommend actions that create measurable value for the Business Unit.
• Support business cases, investment decisions, organizational changes, pricing and commercial evaluations, and other strategic initiatives.

Budgeting, Forecasting and Long-Range Planning:

• Lead the annual Business Unit budget, periodic forecasts, and long-range financial planning process in alignment with Corporate Finance guidance and timelines.
• Coordinate with Business Unit leaders, Project Controls, operations, and functional owners to develop credible assumptions for revenue, gross margin, labor, SG&A, capital expenditures, headcount, cash flow, and key operating drivers.
• Maintain an integrated, driver-based forecast; perform scenario and sensitivity analysis; and clearly communicate risks, opportunities, and changes from prior outlooks.
• Monitor actual results against budget and forecast, explain material variances, and drive timely corrective actions and forecast updates.

Month-End Close, Reporting and Performance Management:

• Develop the Business Unit specific finance calendar and coordinate month-end financial review activities with Corporate Accounting, Project Controls, and operational stakeholders.
• Review results for completeness, accuracy, and business reasonableness, including project forecasts, revenue and margin, accruals, costs, overhead, working capital, and cash flow.
• Prepare and deliver timely monthly reporting and executive commentary to Corporate Finance and the Business Unit Vice President, highlighting performance, key drivers, risks, opportunities, and required actions.
• Lead monthly Business Unit performance reviews and support project reviews, ensuring that financial issues are understood, owners are identified, and follow-up actions are completed.
• Provide quarterly review materials, annual budget presentations, Key Performance Indicators reporting, and ad hoc analysis for Corporate Finance and executive leadership.

Project and Commercial Performance:

• Partner with Project Controls and project leadership to validate project forecasts, expected gross margin, cost to complete, change orders, contingency, cash flow, billing, collections, and commercial exposure.
• Promote accountability for delivery of as-sold margin and early identification of margin leakage, execution risk, and forecast volatility.
• Support analysis of backlog, bookings, book-to-burn, project mix, utilization, client concentration, and other drivers of Business Unit performance.
• Assist leadership with financial aspects of contract and subcontract decisions, claims, client negotiations, and risk mitigation, engaging Legal, Risk, Tax, Treasury, and Accounting as appropriate.

Accounting Partnership, Controls and Process Improvement:

• Work closely with Corporate Accounting to resolve accounting and close issues, improve data quality, strengthen controls, and ensure consistent application of company accounting policies.
• Identify and lead finance and accounting process improvements that simplify work, reduce cycle time and manual effort, improve forecast and reporting accuracy, and create value for the business.
• Standardize reporting, definitions, templates, and review routines across the Business Unit while maintaining clear ownership and documentation.
• Partner with Corporate Finance, Corporate Accounting, Project Controls, and systems teams to improve OneStream, Oracle, Power BI, and related reporting or planning processes.
• Support internal and external audits and ensure complete, timely, and well-supported financial information.

Leadership and Collaboration:

• Build relationships across the Business Unit and corporate functions and serve as a proactive, accessible finance advisor.
• Communicate complex financial matters in practical business language tailored to operational and executive audiences.
• Promote a culture of financial accountability, forecast discipline, transparency, and continuous improvement.
• Coach Business Unit leaders and project teams on financial drivers, reporting expectations, and decision support tools.
• May lead, supervise, or provide functional direction to financial analysts or other finance support resources.

LANGUAGE SKILLS:

Ability to read, analyze, and interpret complex compensation, benefits, and financial data, as well as technical documentation, policies, and regulatory guidance. Ability to effectively communicate analytical findings and recommendations through written reports, dashboards, and presentations. Strong ability to communicate clearly and professionally with cross‑functional partners and leadership.

MATHEMATICAL SKILLS:

Advanced ability to apply mathematical concepts including percentages, ratios, statistical measures, trend analysis, and financial modeling. Ability to interpret and analyze large datasets, perform scenario modeling, and translate quantitative results into actionable business insights. Comfort working with formulas, data logic, and analytical frameworks to support decision making.

PHYSICAL DEMANDS:

Requires prolonged periods of sitting; frequent use of a computer, keyboard, and mouse; and the ability to view data on computer monitors for extended periods. Occasional standing or movement may be required.

WORK ENVIRONMENT:

Normally will work in an office environment, but occasionally will participate in a field trip to job site which may require exposure to outdoor weather conditions, loud noise, fumes, and airborne particles.