Senior Project Accountant

Meow Wolf•Santa Fe, NM

1d•$88,870 - $122,640•Hybrid

About The Position

Meow Wolf opens portals of possibility. Come as you are! We are individuals who inspire creativity in people's lives through art and exploration, so that our combined imaginations can transform the world we live in. We create immersive and interactive experiences that transport audiences into fantastic realms of story and exploration. Our Vision is to be the world’s leading creative company, reimagining the paradigm of art and storytelling, to make a positive difference in the world. We share a strong commitment to Belonging through our values of: Collaborative Creativity, Provocative Playfulness, Outsiders Welcome, Authentic Compassion, and Audacious Courage. The Senior Project Accountant is responsible for developing, monitoring, and analyzing budget and actual costs for new construction projects, including estimate refinements prepared internally and/or with outside estimating firms. This role will take the lead on providing financial support to pre‑operations efforts (including Marketing and Merchandising). As Senior Project Accountant, you will work with the Blue‑Sky team, developing budgets and means for tracking costs on efforts that have potential to become construction projects. You will assist with the implementation of the financial and cost management system (WORKDAY) for all projects, work closely with program management and purchasing, and review scope and payment terms for all contracts relating to the projects. This role reports to the Director, Project Finance, and together you will develop a comprehensive database from past projects to assist in improving the accuracy of project budgeting across all projects. Your efforts will bring value and quality to construction projects, ultimately elevating the Meow Wolf experience.

Requirements

3+ years of construction/theme‑park estimating experience in retail, hotel, theme parks and themed attractions required; knowledge of Tenant Improvements (TI), attraction/exhibition (themed environments) estimating, and facility impact costing required.
Strong knowledge of Microsoft applications to create reports and present information in Excel and PowerPoint.
Capable of presenting cost estimates to upper‑management level positions.
Able to navigate and analyze large datasets.
Maintain positive and informative relationships with vendors and contractors to uphold the reputation of the owner and owner’s representatives.
Able to maintain and track separate project accounts.
Influence decisions of major nature, requiring a high degree of tact and diplomacy to obtain favorable results.
Analytical and data‑based decision‑making skills.
Executive presence and strong collaboration; relationship‑builder internally and externally; outstanding verbal and written communication skills.
Computer, interpersonal, and customer‑service skills.
Able to multitask and work with a diverse group of vendors, executive managers, subcontractors, consultants.

Nice To Haves

Knowledge of cost‑management software preferred.

Responsibilities

Accurate tracking of project commitments, cost‑to‑date, and EFC trending.
Create project cash flows and update monthly with assistance from the Project Team.
Provide up‑to‑date cost‑to‑complete (forecasting EFCs) and identify/communicate spending risks.
Work closely with project/program managers, estimators, and purchasing to ensure budgeting, scheduling, and coordination processes run smoothly; monitor progress against deadlines and budget limits and generate progress reports to managers.
Make suggestions for improvements to project operations as needed.
Continually monitor and evaluate each step of a project to ensure budgetary and deadline goals are met; develop recurring status reports to stakeholders covering progress, staffing needs, schedule changes, and scope adjustments.
Create and maintain reports addressing all aspects of project development and completion.
Develop and manage project budget estimates for TI, Retail, Bar/Café, front and back of house (including ticketing) and Exhibitions (show design, fabrication, and installation).
Review continually evolving design documents and update estimates at each stage of design to ensure projects are tracking on budget.
Maintain all supporting project financial documentation (e.g., cost reports, contract signature pages, change order signature pages; contracts reside with Contracts and on Project Box file structure).
Develop conceptual Rough Order of Magnitude (ROM) estimates for projects prior to and in Blue Sky Phase to develop initial costs for business‑unit financial analysis.
Create value‑engineering components with the project team to mitigate cost overruns.
Compile overall project summaries on cost at project conclusion.
Develop and maintain a database of cost comparisons for various exhibition and non‑exhibition facilities (BOH).
Provide weekly and monthly project cost reports for the Director, Project Finance, PM, and Executive Management.
Support Director, Project Finance with project labor tracking through ERP Time Entry system.
Review and process project invoices and contract payment applications for approval hierarchy, cost coding, contract compliance, payment milestones; confirm capital versus expense; validate integrity of the schedule of values; field approvals; necessary submittits in accordance with contract requirements, including but not limited to statutory lien waivers.
Review General Contractor payment applications (ensuring/validating schedule of values adjustments, field approvals, and necessary paperwork delivered in accordance with contract requirements, including but not limited to waivers).