Junior Business Controller (f/m/d)

De Gruyter Brill; Leiden; On-site; EUR 80,000 - 100,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Family-friendly working hours

Flexitime

Generous leave policies

Holistic benefits and allowances

Personal development opportunities

Job summary

De Gruyter Brill based in Leiden, Netherlands is seeking a Business Controller for a high-impact, leadership role within its finance team. The role involves ensuring accurate financial reporting and data management, while leading a team of Financial Controllers.

Candidates should have over 10 years of relevant experience, ideally from a Big 4 background, and possess a robust understanding of IFRS and HGB regulations. The position offers flexible work options and extensive personal development opportunities.

Qualifications

• 10+ years relevant experience, preferably with a Big 4 background.
• Strong knowledge of IFRS and HGB in an international, multi-entity environment.
• Proactive, improvement-oriented mindset with affinity for digitalization and process optimization.

Responsibilities

• Ensure accurate and compliant consolidated monthly figures (IFRS and/or HGB).
• Lead and develop the Financial Controllers team (2–4 FTE).
• Prepare cashflow reporting and forecasting.
• Oversee month-end, quarter-end, and year-end closings.

Skills

Leadership skills

Financial analysis

Communication

Stakeholder management

Education

Bachelor’s or Master’s degree in Accounting, Finance, or similar

Job description

Leiden | Full-time | as soon as possible

We are looking for a detail-oriented and proactive Business Controller to support our finance reporting and controlling activities. In this role, you work at the intersection of finance, data, and systems, helping to ensure accurate reporting and improve our data and BI landscape. You will collaborate closely with Business Controllers, BI specialists, and stakeholders across the organization, contributing to reporting, forecasting, data quality, and process improvements. This position is fixed-term for one year.

• Ensure accurate and compliant consolidated monthly figures (IFRS and/or HGB)
• Lead and develop the Financial Controllers team (2–4 FTE) and support the broader Accounting organization
• Prepare cashflow reporting and forecasting
• Maintain and implement the Group Accounting Manual across all entities
• Oversee month-end, quarter-end, and year-end closings and coordinate statutory accounts
• Advise on financial policy, regulatory developments, and the economic impact of business decisions
• Develop KPI frameworks, forecasts, and financial models, including liquidity planning
• Review investment proposals, budgets, and business cases
• Initiate and implement improvements in financial processes, systems, and reporting
• Coordinate tax filings and translate new tax regulations into practical guidance

Your profile

• Bachelor’s or Master’s degree in Accounting, Finance, or similar; RA qualification preferred
• 10+ years relevant experience; Big 4 background strongly preferred
• Strong knowledge of IFRS and HGB in an international, multi-entity environment
• Proven leadership skills with experience managing financial teams
• Excellent analytical, communication, and stakeholder management abilities
• Proactive, improvement-oriented mindset with affinity for digitalization and process optimization

We offer you

• A high-impact leadership role at one of the world’s most innovative scholarly publishers
• Family-friendly working hours, flexitime, hybrid/home office options, and generous leave policies
• Holistic benefits and allowances to support your wellbeing
• A learning culture with personal development opportunities and access to a dedicated development budget
• Passionate, international teams who share your commitment to shaping the future of scholarly communication

At De Gruyter Brill, we are dedicated to diversity, equal opportunity, and building an inclusive culture where everyone belongs. We believe in individual potential, so please apply even if you don’t meet every requirement—passion and a willingness to learn matter as much as qualifications. We look forward to hearing from you!