Senior Project Accountant

Overview

This role involves developing, monitoring, and analyzing budget and actual costs for new construction projects, including estimate refinements prepared internally and/or with outside estimating firms. The position also provides financial support to pre-operations efforts (including Marketing and Merchandising).

Location

On-site (Santa Fe, NM) or remote-eligible, provided the candidate lives in one of the following markets: Santa Fe NM, Denver CO, Las Vegas NV, Dallas TX, Houston TX or Los Angeles CA.

Applicants must be currently authorized to work in the United States on a full-time basis. The employer is unable to sponsor or take over sponsorship of an employment Visa at this time.

Compensation & Benefits

Compensation: The base annual salary range for this position is $88,870 - $122,640. “Off-scale salaries” and other components of pay (including a salary higher than the published system-wide salary at the designated position grade) may be offered when necessary to meet competitive conditions.

Benefits (full-time):

• Medical Insurance options: PPO & HDHP
• Dental and Vision Insurance
• HSA, HRA, and FSA options
• 401k Retirement Plan
• Company paid Life Insurance Policy and Disability Coverage(s)
• Voluntary Critical Illness and Life Insurance Policies
• Company Paid Employee Assistance Program
• Paid Parental Leave for 12 weeks
• Discount off Meow Wolf Gift Shop Merch and Cafes
• Admission to Meow Wolf attractions for employees and guests
• Regular or Project Based Full-time positions

Responsibilities

• Accurately track 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.
• Partner with project/program managers, estimators, and purchasing to support smooth budgeting, scheduling, and coordination processes; monitor progress against deadlines and budget limits and generate progress reports to managers.
• Suggest improvements to project operations as needed.
• Monitor and evaluate each step of a project to ensure budgetary and deadline goals are met; produce recurring status reports 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)
  • Exhibitions (show design, fabrication, and installation)
• Continually review evolving design documents and update estimates at each design stage to ensure projects track on budget.
• Maintain 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 establish 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.

Required Qualifications

• 3+ years of construction/theme-park estimating experience in retail, hotel, theme parks and themed attractions.
• Knowledge of Tenant Improvements (TI), attraction/exhibition (themed environments) estimating, and facility impact costing.
• Strong knowledge of Microsoft applications to create reports and present information in Excel and PowerPoint. Cost-management software knowledge preferred.
• Ability to present cost estimates to upper-management level positions.
• Ability to navigate and analyze large datasets.
• Ability to maintain positive, informative relationships with vendors and contractors.
• Ability to maintain and track separate project accounts.
• Ability to 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; manage field approvals; and ensure necessary submittals are completed per contract requirements (including, but not limited to, statutory lien waivers).
• Ability to review General Contractor payment applications (including validating schedule of values adjustments, field approvals, and necessary paperwork delivered per contract requirements, including but not limited to waivers).
• Ability to influence decisions of a major nature with tact and diplomacy.
• Analytical and data-based decision-making skills.
• Executive presence; strong collaboration; relationship-building internally and externally.
• Outstanding verbal and written communication skills.
• Computer, interpersonal, and customer-service skills.
• Ability to multitask and work with a diverse group of vendors, executive managers, subcontractors, and consultants.

Work Environment and Physical Demands

Work environment: Professional office environment using standard office equipment (computers, phones, photocopiers, filing cabinets, scanners). The role may occasionally involve indoor settings with exposure to noisy environments, dim lighting, strong visual effects (including strobing lights, special effects, fog machines), and small and/or enclosed spaces.

Physical demands: Primarily sedentary work with extended periods of sitting, working at a computer, and viewing screens. Frequent use of standard office equipment; may require repetitive hand and wrist movements for typing and data entry. Occasional standing, walking, and light lifting (e.g., files, binders, or office supplies) may be required. Requires mental focus, ability to analyze complex financial information, and sustained concentration for accuracy and compliance.

Employees will comply with company and OSHA standard workplace safety protocols; reasonable accommodations may be made for individuals with disabilities.

Work Schedule

Full-time position averaging 40 hours a week, Monday to Friday, 9am to 5pm MT or 10am to 6pm MST. Flexibility may be required to work evenings or weekends based on business needs, and travel to off-site locations may be required.

Travel

Some travel is required (10%–25%).

Additional Information

• Deadline to submit applications: September 30, 2026. The employer may extend this deadline if necessary.
• This role does not require supervisory responsibility.
• Job duties may change at any time with or without notice.

Equal Opportunity

The employer is an equal opportunity employer and prohibits discrimination and harassment of any kind, with employment decisions based on business need, job requirements, and individual qualifications without regard to protected characteristics under federal, state, or local law.

Criminal History

Qualified applicants with criminal histories will be considered consistent with applicable law, including the City of Los Angeles Fair Chance Ordinance.