Senior Global Controller

Key Objectives

1.    Strategic Partnership:

• Serve as the finance expert for the Chief Technology Officer (CTO) and R&D Directors, participating in their respective functional leadership teams.
• Collaborate with R&D Directors and BU Heads of Finance to define functional goals and translate them into tangible financial plans.
• Achieve strategic capex, opex, working capital, and structural savings goals, managing an annual budget of approximately €50m for the Global R&D team and indirectly an additional 250m of R&D spend within the BUs

2.    Data-Driven Insights:

• Analyze the financial performance of the Global R&D Function on a monthly, quarterly, annual, and ad hoc basis.
• Provide fact-based analysis to identify financial risks and opportunities, driving critical decision-making.

3.    Performance Enhancement & Transformation Catalyst:

• Implement recently standardized processes and digitalization efforts within the Functional Control team to the R&D function.
• Enhance performance management, efficiency, and innovation through proactive involvement in wider finance projects and initiatives.
• Drive harmonization, standardization, and process automation, leading to efficiency gains and continuous improvements in end-to-end processes.

4.    Financial Liaison:

• Act as a bridge between R&D, BUs, and the finance function, ensuring accurate financial reporting and maintaining the integrity of accounts.
• Review complex topics and liaise with Group Reporting to ensure proper recognition.

5.    Strategic Governance:

• Serve as an objective voice and governor of the company’s processes and policies, ensuring compliance and supporting internal control process improvements.

Key Responsibilities

Governance and Structure Creation:

• Develop and implement governance structures to streamline processes within the R&D department and across BUs.
• Collaborate with fellow controllers and business units to establish clear guidelines and workflows.

Stakeholder Management:

• Liaise with various business units and stakeholders, fostering strong relationships and ensuring effective communication.
• Confidently manage difficult conversations and navigate complex stakeholder dynamics.
• Engage with stakeholders around the world to align on goals and objectives.

Process and Data Management:

• Provide detailed analysis and oversight of processes and data within the R&D team.
• Identify gaps between current operations and desired outcomes, proposing and implementing improvements.

Commercial and Cost Controlling:

• Bring a commercial mindset to R&D product-driven initiatives.
• Adapt cost-controlling methods to better fit the evolving needs of the organization.
• Analyze financial data to support commercial decision-making and drive efficiency.

Change Management:

• Lead transformation initiatives aimed at improving the overall structure and functionality of the R&D department.
• Proactively propose and implement changes to improve efficiency and effectiveness.
• Manage the complexities of a large matrix structure, ensuring smooth transitions and minimal disruption.

Ownership and Initiative:

• Take full ownership of projects, driving them from conception through to implementation.
• Bring innovative ideas to the table and confidently execute them.
• Provide seniority and drive to inspire and motivate colleagues through periods of change.

Financial Reporting and Analysis:

• Develop project budgets, forecasts, and financial plans in collaboration with the R&D team.
• Provide accurate and timely financial reporting to stakeholders, including project status updates and budget vs. actual analysis.
• Conduct cost-benefit analyses and return on investment (ROI) assessments for proposed projects.

Risk Management:

• Identify potential risks and opportunities, proactively mitigating risks.
• Ensure integrity, compliance, and transparency of financial results, liaising with Group Reporting as necessary.

Process Improvement:

• Drive process solutions for transfer pricing and cost allocation models globally, regionally, and locally.
• Participate in projects to standardize, streamline, and bring efficiency to end-to-end processes across the company.
• Work with dependent areas such as R2R, P2P, and I2C to drive improvements.

Team Collaboration:

• Be a proactive member of the Functional Control team, seeking continuous improvements in efficiency and effectiveness.
• Coach and guide the team of analysts, helping them develop their professional skills.

Complexity of the Role

•    Working within a large multinational matrix organization with a global R&D function led by the CTO, as well as R&D directors reporting directly to 8 BU Directors.
•    Direct exposure to senior C-suite executives and a global, regional, and local network of cross-functional stakeholders.
•    Navigating several systems and processes that are continuously improving, particularly through ongoing finance transformation and digital application changes.
•    Managing change in end-to-end processes following a recent restructure within finance.

Requirements

• Masters degree in Accounting, Economics, Business Studies, or equivalent. MBA or chartered controller degree is a plus.
• Minimum of 10 years of experience in senior-level controlling, preferably within a large, multinational organization.
• Proven track record in business partnering and change management with senior/executive stakeholders across multi-functional and cultural teams.
• Excellent stakeholder management and communication skills.
• Ability to analyze and interpret detailed financial data.
• Proactive approach to problem-solving and change management.
• Confident and assertive in managing difficult conversations and driving change.
• Proven P&L and B/S impact with experience in forecasting and budgeting.
• Sound understanding of key accounting principles (IFRS) and accounting systems (SAP). HFM is preferabel but not mandatory.
• Strong analytical skills, able to transition from a helicopter view to deeper granular understanding.
• Willingness to start with a blank slate and build structures from the ground up.
• High level of seniority and drive, with a proactive and confident approach.
• Ability to work in a fast-paced, unstable environment and adapt to changing priorities.
• Fluent in English, both verbal and written communication.
• Proven self-starter, problem solver, and implementer with a result-driven, ‘Getting it done’ mentality.
• Stress-resistant, flexible, and open to change.
• Natural curiosity and attention to detail.
• High level of integrity