Startup- Project Accounting Director

Job Title: Project Accounting Director- Start up Real Estate Development Data Center

Location: Arlington, VA (On-site preferred)

Industry: Real Estate Development — Data Centers & AI Infrastructure

Compensation: Competitive DOE- Base Bonus LTI

About the Company

We are a rapidly expanding real estate development company at the forefront of the data center boom. With an aggressive pipeline of large-scale, complex projects, we are seeking a highly skilled Project Accounting Director to build, lead, and elevate our project accounting function as we scale.

Position Overview

The Project Accounting Director will oversee all financial and accounting activities related to our development projects, ensuring accuracy, compliance, and strong financial controls. This leader will manage a growing team, partner closely with development and construction leadership, and play a key role in supporting the financial success of high-value, multi-phase data center projects.

This is a hands-on leadership role ideal for someone who thrives in a high-growth, fast-paced environment and enjoys building processes, teams, and best-in-class accounting operations.

Key Responsibilities

• Lead and manage the project accounting team, ensuring timely and accurate reporting across all active development projects.
• Oversee project financials including budgeting, forecasting, cost tracking, work-in-progress (WIP) reporting, job costing, and project audits.
• Partner with development, construction, and FP&A teams to provide financial insights that support planning, execution, and strategic decision-making.
• Establish and refine project accounting policies, internal controls, and standardized procedures as the company scales.
• Manage monthly close processes related to project accounting.
• Review and approve draw packages, vendor invoices, change orders, and capex allocations.
• Lead the rollout and optimization of Yardi functionality specifically for construction and development accounting.
• Provide senior leadership with financial reporting, variance analysis, and real-time project cost visibility.
• Support lender compliance, reporting, and construction loan requisitions.
• Mentor, train, and develop project accountants with a focus on growth, accountability, and operational excellence.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Accounting, Finance, or related field
• 8 years of progressive project accounting experience within real estate development or construction; data center experience is a strong plus.
• Demonstrated leadership experience managing and developing high-performing teams.
• Yardi experience is STRONGLY preferred — ideally in job cost, development, and construction modules.
• Strong understanding of GAAP, job-cost accounting, and project reporting.
• Highly skilled in building and scaling accounting systems, processes, and controls.
• Excellent communication skills with the ability to partner cross-functionally at all levels.
• Ability to thrive in a growing, entrepreneurial environment.
• On-site presence preferred due to the collaborative and fast-moving nature of the role.

What We Offer

• Opportunity to join one of the fastest-growing companies in the data center & AI real estate sector.
• Strategic leadership role with high visibility and impact.
• Competitive compensation package, bonuses, and benefits.
• A dynamic, growth-driven culture with room to build and scale a team from the ground up.