Digital & Data Global Financial Controller

Job description

At Jacobs, we're challenging today to reinvent tomorrow by solving the world's most critical problems for thriving cities, resilient environments, mission-critical outcomes, operational advancement, scientific discovery and cutting-edge manufacturing, turning abstract ideas into realities that transform the world for good.

Your impact:

Jacobs has a fantastic opportunity for a motivated and highly skilled and commercially minded Financial Controller to join our Digital & Data business unit.

This role serves as the key finance partner for our digital and data-driven initiatives, overseeing P&L and cash flow performance, shaping commercial models, and ensuring best-in-class financial governance for our wholly owned subsidiary and broader digital portfolio.

The successful candidate will bring expertise in SaaS, software, and digital business models, with the ability to bridge finance, technology, and product strategy.

You will operate as both a financial leader and a strategic partner, supporting growth, innovation, and operational excellence.

We empower employees with our hybrid working policy, allowing them to split their work week between Jacobs’ offices/projects and remote locations enabling them to deliver their best work.

This position can be aligned to a Jacobs office based in North America but Dallas, Texas is the preferred location.

Key Responsibilities:
* Financial Leadership & Control
* Own the P&L and cash flow forecasting for the Digital & Data business unit.
* Lead financial oversight of strategic initiatives, including:
* Enterprise License Agreements (for wholly owned subsidiaries).
* R&D tax credit programs.
* Five-year digital growth strategy financial modeling.
* Development of scalable commercial models for digital offerings.
* Global delivery center pricing, cost allocation, and subsidiary integration.

Software & SaaS Expertise
* Act as the finance subject matter expert on SaaS, software, and digital business models.
* Oversee capitalization of software development costs in line with GAAP guidelines, including process leadership, time/cost tracking, and amortization oversight.
* Partner with Engineering and Product teams to evaluate capitalization eligibility.
* Ensure compliance with revenue recognition policies for software/SaaS contracts, including review of ARR, CAC, LTV, and other SaaS metrics.

Commercial Models & Policy Development
* Shape commercial models that align with customer needs, contracts, and product strategy.
* Align new product launches with software revenue recognition policies.
* Establish subsidiary policies and procedures across Digital & Data products to drive financial consistency and scale.

Subsidiary CFO Responsibilities
* Serve as Finance Lead for a wholly owned subsidiary, partnering closely with the subsidiary CEO.
* Drive investment analysis, forecasting, budgeting, ROI assessments, and headcount planning.
* Lead pricing and discounting strategies.
* Manage financial aspects of data royalties and partnerships
* Design and run optimal SaaS forecasting and accounting frameworks, including capitalization, amortization, revenue recognition, and cost classification (COGS vs.

G&A).
* Professional accounting qualification (CPA, ACA, ACCA, or equivalent) required.
* Proven experience as a Finance Controller, Finance Director, or senior finance business partner in a SaaS, software, or digital business.
* Strong technical knowledge of GAAP accounting, capitalization rules, and software revenue recognition.
* Experience with SaaS metrics, financial modeling, and commercial strategy.
* Demonstrated ability to partner with business leaders, engineering, and product teams.
* Strong analytical and communication skills, with the ability to simplify complexity for executive audiences.

Ideally You Will Also Have:
* Commercial & Federal portfolio experience.

What We Offer
* Opportunity to shape the financial strategy of a fast-growing digital and data business.
* Exposure to executive leadership and involvement in high-impact decisions.
* A collaborative, innovative environment where finance enables technology-led growth.
Jacobs is an Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action Employer.

All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, religion, creed, color, national origin, ancestry, sex (including pregnancy, childbirth, breastfeeding, or medical conditions related to pregnancy, childbirth, or breastfeeding), age, medical condition, marital or domestic partner status, sexual orientation, gender, gender identity, gender expression and transgender status, mental disability or physical disability, genetic information, military or veteran status, citizenship, low-income status or any other status or characteristic protected by applicable law.

Learn more about your rights under Federal EEO laws and supplemental language.

Required Skill Profession

Other General