Director of Construction Finance

About Mendoza Companies

Mendoza Companies is a multi-entity ecosystem of construction, services, and investment businesses operating under The Mendoza Way.

The platform includes High-Light Electric, Inc. (HLE) — a California-based union electrical infrastructure contractor founded in 1996 delivering public works and complex electrical construction across California — along with Mendoza Trust and an international independent contractor workforce.

We partner with Caltrans, municipalities, transit authorities, and infrastructure programs throughout California, with active expansion into Nevada, Arizona, and additional U.S. markets.

Mendoza Companies is guided by Mission 2040: to build a $1 billion business ecosystem connecting 1,000 families and communities through business.

The Role

The Director of Construction Finance provides executive-level leadership over Mendoza Companies’ operational financial discipline, ensuring margin protection, forecasting accuracy, cash flow visibility, claims substantiation, and financial governance remain aligned with Mission 2040.

As Mendoza Companies transitions from a family-operated construction business into a structured, scalable ecosystem of business units, this role must bring strategic rigor while respecting the entrepreneurial foundation of the organization. The Director will guide leadership through disciplined financial evolution, installing structure where needed while collaborating constructively with ownership and executives.

This role bridges execution and financial strategy—translating field operations into predictive financial clarity across all business units. The Director installs structured forecasting systems, internalizes WIP production, enforces disciplined billing and cost controls, and strengthens financial literacy across operational leadership.

Operating at the parent-company level, this seat carries authority over project-level financial approvals, margin validation, forecasting integrity, and financial risk oversight. This role serves as the company’s financial control tower for project performance and scalability.

What You'll Do

• Internalize and produce monthly WIP reporting across all business units.
• Validate cost-to-complete assumptions and percentage-of-completion calculations.
• Approve billing releases and ensure timely and accurate change order pricing.
• Oversee cost code discipline and budget transfer approvals.
• Produce weekly executive financial dashboards highlighting margin, billing lag, and cash projection status.
• Deliver consolidated monthly financial performance reviews to executives and ownership.
• Develop and present structured financial proposals and process improvements for executive and ownership review.
• Identify early margin erosion indicators and implement corrective measures.
• Collaborate with external CPA by feeding validated operational financial data into month-end processes.
• Lead structured forecast review sessions with AOMs and Project Managers.
• Strengthen financial literacy within operations through training and accountability.
• Review financial exposure in contracts in coordination with internal departments.
• Support claims strategy by substantiating financial impacts and modeling recovery scenarios.
• Participate in DML10 meetings periodically or as required to reinforce financial discipline within business units.
• Remain available to address urgent financial matters impacting company risk, cash flow, or margin.

What We're Looking For

Required

• Bachelor’s degree in Finance, Accounting, Construction Management, Business, Mathematics, or related analytical field.
• 7+ years in construction finance, project controls, or operational financial leadership.
• Demonstrated success building forecasting systems and internal WIP structures.
• Experience collaborating with external CPA firms.

Preferred

• Experience in public works or infrastructure is preferred.
• Unionized construction experience preferred.

What to Expect in This Role

This role operates in a fast-paced construction environment where priorities can shift based on project execution, financial risk, and operational demands.

You will work closely with executive leadership, field operations, estimating, and finance teams across multiple active projects.

Expect high visibility, high accountability, and frequent interaction with both strategic and operational decision-makers.

This role may include occasional travel to project sites and regional offices (approximately 10–20%).

What We Offer

We offer a competitive and comprehensive benefits package, which may include:

• Medical, dental, and vision insurance
• 401(k) program
• Paid time off and company holidays
• Performance-based bonus eligibility
• Professional development and leadership growth opportunities

Hiring Process

Our hiring process is designed to be structured, efficient, and focused on mutual fit.

• Application and screening questionnaire
• 10–15 minute structured pre-screen interview using an AI-supported assessment tool
• Initial HR screening interview
• Leadership panel interview (may include in-person sessions depending on scheduling)
• Final interview with the CEO

AI tools are used to support consistency, structure, and efficiency in early-stage evaluations and are regularly reviewed to ensure fairness and compliance.

Qualified candidates can expect a timely and transparent process.

Pre-employment screening, reference checks, and verification of credentials are required prior to offer.

Equal Employment Opportunity

HLE is an equal opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, gender, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, national origin, age, disability, protected veteran status, genetic information, or any other characteristic protected by applicable law.