Head of Controlling, Financial Planning

If you enjoy a dynamic, international working environment and like to work in a highly motivated and friendly team, you are in the right place You can expect an open corporate culture with flat hierarchies as well as interesting and challenging tasks. As part of your induction, you will be optimally prepared for your area of responsibility.

Become part of our Constructor Community and, at the earliest possible date, join our Controlling team in the north of Bremen on a full-time basis as

(Full-time; 38.5 hours/week)

The Head of Controlling, FP&A (m/f/d) is responsible for establishing and leading a unified, professional financial steering function for the University.

The role ensures budget discipline, financial transparency, forward-looking analysis, and high-quality decision support across all academic, research and operational activities.

Acting as the central financial business partner to the University's top management, the role bridges strategy, operations, and finance, enabling informed, data-driven decision-making.

Your Responsibilities:

• Build, lead, and continuously develop the University's Controlling and FP&A function

• Define, implement, and enforce controlling standards, methodologies, and best practices across the institution

• Safeguard the professional independence, objectivity, and integrity of the controlling function

• Own and continuously improve the end-to-end annual budgeting process

• Establish and maintain rolling forecast, multi-year planning, and scenario planning frameworks

• Challenge assumptions and ensure financial realism and sustainability

• Ensure timely delivery of high-quality management accounts, variance analyses, and performance dashboards

• Govern allocation methodologies for shared services, infrastructure, and G&A costs

• Ensure full transparency of Revenues and Costs

• Lead advanced financial and economic analyses

• Assess financial implications of new initiatives

• Deliver high-quality regular and ad-hoc analyses for senior leadership and governing bodies

• Functionally manage and align business units embedded controllers

• Ensure consistent planning logic, assumptions, KPIs, and reporting standards across units

• Foster a strong controlling community and knowledge sharing across the University

• Own and further develop the analytical and controlling system landscape

• Ensure high standards of data quality, consistency, traceability, and auditability

Line of Reporting:

• President / Chancellor

• CFO/VP Finance

• Provost and Deans

• Director of Research & Transfer Office (RTO)

• VP of People Management

• Head of Finance

• IT and Facility Management
   

Your Qualifications:

• 10+ years of relevant professional experience in FP&A, Controlling, or Corporate Finance

• Proven experience in complex, multi-activity organizations (such as Universitiesor Research organizations; large or mid-sized commercial organizations with advanced FP&A, cost accounting, and performance management practices; matrix organizations with both functional and business-line accountability

• Several years of leadership experience, including building, managing, and developing teams

• Demonstrated ability to operate effectively at both strategic and operational levels

• University degree (Master's level preferred) in Business Administration, Finance or Economics

• Nice to have: CMA, CIMA, ICV, IHK or similar

Skills & Competencies:

• Excellent analytical, financial modeling, and conceptual skills

• High level of integrity, independence, and professional judgment

• Strong command of modern FP&A and BI tools

• Fluent German is highly desirable

• Pragmatic, hands-on, and solution-oriented mindset

• Strong builder mentality with the ability to establish structures from the ground up

• Trusted advisor to senior management, balancing challenge and support

What you can expect at Constructor University:

We are an international, world-class private university embarking on an exciting journey of growth and expanding our portfolio. Join us and become a part of our global teams

• Flexible working hours for work-life balance

• Option for remote work

• Individual onboarding, support, and development planning

• Corporate fitness with EGYM Well Pass (formerly Qualitrain)

• In collaboration with Deutsche Dienstrad – Lease a company bike, whether it's a bicycle, road bike, or e-bike, for both private and business use.

• Green campus with recreational areas and extensive dining options

• Constructor University has comprehensive sustainability and environmental programs

Your application:

We look forward to your application. The review of applications will begin immediately and will continue until the position is filled.

If you have any questions, please contact job-.university.

Please note that only applications submitted through the official application portal will be considered for recognition.

If you like working with happy, enthusiastic colleagues, you'll enjoy your career with us