Financial Program Controller

Position Overview

Eram Talent is partnering with a leading organization in Dhahran to identify a dynamic and detail-oriented Financial Program Controller who will play a pivotal role in driving financial oversight and strategic governance for enterprise-level transformation initiatives. This position is ideal for a finance professional with a strong analytical mindset, exceptional proficiency in data visualization, and the ability to translate complex financial and operational data into strategic insights for senior leadership. The successful candidate will collaborate closely with cross-functional teams to ensure program objectives are met, risks are mitigated, and financial performance is optimized.

Key Responsibilities

The Financial Program Controller will be responsible for a wide range of critical functions, including:

• Cost & Benefits Validation: Collaborate in the development of accurate cost estimates, evaluate projected program benefits, and validate financial outcomes against established business cases to ensure alignment with organizational goals.
• Program Governance & Management: Implement and maintain robust program governance frameworks to oversee the planning, coordination, and execution of large-scale enterprise transformation initiatives, ensuring adherence to strategic objectives and regulatory standards.
• Dashboard Development: Design, construct, and maintain dynamic performance dashboards that provide real-time visibility into financial metrics, project schedules, risk assessments, and benefit realization, enabling data-driven decision-making across the organization.
• Executive Reporting: Develop and deliver high-impact executive reports that synthesize complex financial and operational data into clear, concise, and visually compelling presentations, facilitating informed strategic decisions by senior leadership.
• Variance Analysis: Conduct thorough variance analysis to identify discrepancies between actual performance and budgeted or planned targets, and propose proactive corrective action plans to address cost overruns or schedule deviations.
• Risk & Issue Tracking: Monitor and manage program risks and issues within established governance frameworks, ensuring timely implementation of mitigation strategies to minimize potential disruptions to project objectives.
• Analytical & Quantitative Expertise: Leverage advanced analytical skills to interpret complex financial data, perform quantitative modeling, and deliver strategic insights that support long-term financial planning and operational efficiency.
• Problem-Solving: Exhibit strong problem-solving capabilities to identify root causes of financial discrepancies, budget deviations, or operational inefficiencies, and develop effective solutions to resolve these challenges.
• Communication & Collaboration: Foster seamless communication and collaboration across Project Management and Finance teams, ensuring alignment on program objectives, financial targets, and reporting requirements.
• Technical & Data Tools Proficiency: Demonstrate advanced proficiency in Microsoft Excel (including PivotTables, complex formulas, and financial modeling) and hands-on experience with data visualization tools such as Power BI or Tableau. Familiarity with project management platforms like MS Project, Jira, Confluence, or Smartsheet is also required.
• Attention to Detail: Maintain a high standard of accuracy and precision in financial analysis, reporting, and data management to ensure the integrity of program outcomes.

Requirements

To qualify for this role, candidates must meet the following criteria:

• Education: A Bachelor’s degree from an accredited institution in Finance, Accounting, Economics, Business Administration, Information Systems, or Industrial Engineering (with a focus on Finance).
• Academic Performance: A minimum cumulative GPA of 3.0 out of 4.0 (or equivalent on a 4.0/5.0 scale).
• Technical Knowledge: Hands-on experience with Earned Value Management (EVM) principles, as well as familiarity with tracking Capital Expenditure (CapEx) and Operational Expenditure (OpEx). Proficiency in using Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP) systems for integrated financial tracking is highly desirable.

Preferred Qualifications

While not mandatory, the following certifications and skills will enhance a candidate’s profile:

• Certified Cost Professional (CCP) or Certified Cost Technician (CCT)
• Certified Financial Planner (CFP) or Certified Management Accountant (CMA)
• Project Management Professional (PMP) certification
• Microsoft Certified: Data Analyst Associate (Power BI)
• Microsoft Office Specialist (MOS) – Advanced Excel certification