Controller, Development
Location: Dallas, Texas
Department: Accounting
Reports To: SVP, Controller
COMPANY OVERVIEW
Gillon Property Group is a Dallas-based commercial real estate investor, developer, and operator with a distinguished track record of identifying and creating value in premier mixed-use, retail and other commercial assets across diversified asset types. We are a vertically integrated, entrepreneurial organization committed to excellence, integrity, and long-term partnerships. GPG is dedicated to driving long-term value by creating extraordinary places that enhance people’s lives.
POSITION SUMMARY
The Controller, Development is a senior leader within the accounting organization, accountable for the integrity of accounting, financial reporting, and internal control across the full real estate development lifecycle - from pre-development and entitlement through construction, lease-up, stabilization, and transition to long-term operations. This role owns project-level and entity-level accounting for the firm’s development pipeline, including ground-up and redevelopment projects, the joint ventures and capital structures that fund them, and the operating assets they become.
The ideal candidate is a true real estate development Controller who has lived the construction draw cycle, managed cost-to-complete and capitalization on active projects, and closed out and placed projects in service - and who also brings operating property experience (monthly close, CAM, leasing, and budgets) to ensure a seamless handoff from development to operations. The Controller partners closely with the SVP, Controller, Development, Construction, Asset Management, and Investments, and builds and develops the team that supports both sides of the platform.
KEY RESPONSIBILITIES
Development & Construction Accounting
- Own accounting for the firm’s development pipeline across the full project lifecycle: pre-development, entitlement, land acquisition, design, construction, lease-up, stabilization, and project closeout.
- Establish and maintain project budgets, job cost structures, and cost codes; oversee tracking of hard costs, soft costs, contingency, and owner allowances against approved budgets.
- Lead the monthly construction and development draw process, including preparation and review of lender and equity draw packages (AIA G702/G703, invoices, lien waivers, retainage, stored materials, and title date-downs).
- Partner with Development and Construction on cost-to-complete, budget reallocations, change orders, contingency usage, and GMP/contract reconciliations; provide monthly project cost and cash forecasts.
- Own capitalization policy and execution, including interest, real estate taxes, insurance, development fees, overhead allocation, and other carry costs; determine capitalization start and stop dates.
- Manage placed-in-service, substantial completion, and asset conversion from construction-in-progress to fixed assets; coordinate cost segregation studies and depreciation set-up.
- Oversee accounting for tenant improvements, landlord work, leasing commissions, and tenant allowances on new development and redevelopment projects.
- Account for and track public incentives and partnerships (e.g., TIF, PID, 380/381 agreements, abatements, and reimbursements), including compliance and reporting.
- Lead project closeout, including final cost reconciliations, retainage release, final lien waivers, and audit-ready project cost files.
Capital Structures, Joint Ventures & Debt
- Review and approve the setup of new projects, entities, and ownership structures; ensure compliance with governing documents (PSAs, JV/partnership agreements, construction loan agreements, and guaranties).
- Own partnership/JV accounting for development ventures, including capital account maintenance, equity funding sequencing, preferred returns, promote/waterfall calculations, and investor reporting.
- Manage construction loan compliance and reporting, including debt covenants, in-balance tests, completion and carry guaranties, interest reserves, and conversion or refinancing to permanent debt.
- Review and approve investor capital calls, equity funding requests, and distributions; oversee development fee and cost-reimbursement calculations to the GP/developer.
- Lead accounting workstreams for acquisitions, dispositions, recapitalizations, financings, and restructurings.
Operating Property Accounting
- Oversee the transition of completed projects into operations, including opening balance sheets, lease set-up, vendor and service contracts, operating budgets, and reporting handoff to the property accounting team.
- Own the accuracy and timeliness of the monthly, quarterly, and annual close for assigned operating and development entities.
- Review operating results, variance analyses, and portfolio performance reporting for ownership and executive audiences.
- Oversee lease accounting and lease administration review, CAM/operating expense and tax estimates, and annual reconciliations.
- Review property operating budgets, reforecasts, development pro formas, and tax projections and workpapers.
Financial Reporting, Controls & Treasury
- Own timely, accurate financial reporting on the income tax basis, GAAP, or other required basis of accounting for project, entity, lender, and investor audiences.
- Serve as the primary technical accounting authority for development matters (capitalized interest, consolidations, JV allocations, debt modifications, and acquisitions/dispositions); document positions in technical memos.
- Establish and maintain accounting policies, procedures, and an internal control framework tailored to development and construction, including draw approvals, change-order controls, and payment authority.
- Oversee cash management and project funding, wire and ACH controls, banking relationships, and liquidity planning across development and operating entities.
- Coordinate internal, external, lender, and construction audits and serve as a primary point of contact.
- Review and assess the accounting and financial implications of legal documents, including PSAs, construction contracts, loan agreements and guaranties, JV agreements, and leases.
Team Leadership, Mentoring & Development
- Build, lead, and develop the accounting team; set clear expectations and hold regular one-on-ones, with candid feedback and well-documented performance reviews.
- Mentor hands-on and cross-train team members across development and operating property accounting to build depth across the platform.
- Create individual development plans; support CPA pursuit and technical training; give high-potential staff stretch assignments and exposure to senior leadership.
- Own succession planning, documented procedures, recruiting, and onboarding; foster a culture of accountability, collaboration, and recognition.
Cross-Functional Partnership
- Serve as the accounting partner to Development, Construction, Asset Management, Leasing, Operations, and Investments; attend project meetings and provide financial insight that informs decisions.
- Support investor, lender, and management reporting and communications, including development status and budget reporting.
- Help modernize systems and reporting (e.g., Yardi, job cost and construction management tools) to improve accuracy, efficiency, and investor transparency.
- Identify risks; design and implement risk mitigation strategies.
QUALIFICATIONS & EXPERIENCE
Education & Credentials
- Bachelor’s degree in Accounting, Finance, or a related field.
- CPA
Experience
- 10+ years of progressive accounting experience, including prior Controller or Assistant Controller leadership in commercial real estate.
- Real estate development accounting experience, including full-cycle accounting for one or more ground-up or major redevelopment projects from pre-development through stabilization.
- Hands-on experience with construction draws, lender and equity draw packages, job cost, cost-to-complete, capitalization, and project closeout.
- Strong partnership/JV accounting experience, including waterfalls, promotes, and complex ownership/equity structures.
- Demonstrated experience leading, mentoring, and developing accounting teams, with a track record of growing staff into larger roles.
- Advanced Excel skills.
Preferred
- Operating property accounting experience (monthly close, CAM reconciliations, lease accounting, and budgeting); the more depth on both development and operations, the better (strongly preferred).
- Experience with construction loans, completion guaranties, public incentives (TIF/PID), and mixed-use or retail development (strongly preferred).
- Public accounting experience (strongly preferred).
- Yardi experience, including Job Cost / Construction Manager (strongly preferred).
- Experience with construction management or draw software.
- Experience modernizing systems, reporting, and controls.
Location
- Based in Dallas, Texas, at GPG headquarters, 3100 Monticello Avenue; open to discussing flexible work arrangements for the right candidate.
CORE COMPETENCIES
- Integrity and accountability: high integrity and accountability across every project and entity.
- Builder’s mindset: comfortable in the field with development and construction teams, asks the right questions, and understands how projects get built and financed.
- Technical judgment: strong technical accounting skills and sound judgment on complex matters.
- Executive leadership: excellent communication and executive-level leadership capabilities.
- Teaching and development: a genuine commitment to teaching and developing people; patient, approachable, and invested in the team’s success.
- Problem solving: strong organizational and problem-solving skills.
- Adaptability: thrives in a fast-paced, entrepreneurial environment.
- Follow-through: manages multiple projects, priorities, deadlines, and teams with accuracy and follow-through.
OUR VALUES
Gillon Property Group expects all employees and leaders within the firm to embody the following values:
- HUMILITY: We lead by listening. We value diverse perspectives, acknowledge our limitations, and create a culture of mutual respect, knowing collaboration begins with an open mind and shared trust.
- INTEGRITY: We do what we say we will do. We uphold the highest ethical standards and make honest decisions grounded in long-term stewardship for future generations.
- PASSION: We bring energy, accountability, and joy to our work. Our entrepreneurial spirit, love for our families, and sense of purpose shape a culture where people thrive.
- INNOVATION: We challenge convention and embrace new ideas. With creativity, evolving practices, and modern technologies, we continuously improve how we invest, build, and operate.
- EXCELLENCE: We share an obsession with delivering top-tier results. We exceed expectations through outstanding quality and disciplined focus over haste.
WHY JOIN GILLON PROPERTY GROUP
This is an opportunity to lead development accounting for a growing, vertically integrated real estate platform with a meaningful pipeline, ownership alignment, and long-term ambition. The Controller, Development will own accounting across the full project lifecycle - from first dollar spent through stabilization and operations - work directly with senior leadership, build and develop a high-performing team, and help modernize how the firm reports to its investors, lenders, and ownership.