Business Controller

Would you like to contribute directly to world-leading research in the plant sciences as a Business Controller? At Plant Sciences Group (PSG), you will act as the financial sparring partner for multiple research groups and help turn complex plans into financially viable realities.

As a Business Controller at PSG, you will have end-to-end responsibility for the financial management of several chair groups. PSG is distinguished by its advanced research facilities, including specialized greenhouses, measurement systems, and research infrastructure that are rarely found elsewhere. This complexity makes your role particularly challenging: you understand the financial implications of these facilities and support management in making well-informed decisions. You thrive at the intersection of science and business operations and can translate financial insights into accessible information for colleagues from diverse professional backgrounds.

Your role

As a Business Controller, you will play a key role in the financial management and control of our organization. You will develop robust financial forecasts and project estimates, monitor budgets, and proactively advise on risks, opportunities, and optimization initiatives. Based on financial analyses and management information, you will advise managers and directors on strategic financial decisions.

You are comfortable moving between numbers and content, and you have the ability to make complex financial issues understandable and relevant to non-financial stakeholders. Through your insights and guidance, you help managers make better-informed decisions. In addition, you will contribute to the ongoing professionalization of the Finance & Control function within PSG.

Your responsibilities

• Advise at a strategic level and connect financial decision-making with PSG’s long-term objectives and strategy;
• Develop multi-year budgets, forecasts, and scenarios, and support decision-making through analyses and business cases;
• Advise on financial risks and opportunities, including those related to the utilization and funding of advanced research facilities;
• Contribute to cost price calculations for rate setting and external audits;
• Assess investments, major grant applications, and other financing-related proposals;
• Translate financial and operational data into clear reports, dashboards, and actionable insights;
• Collaborate closely with fellow Business Controllers and contribute to knowledge sharing and continuous improvement within the team.

About your working environment

The Finance & Control department acts as the business partner for Plant Sciences Group and is committed to quality, integrity, and excellent service. We achieve this by providing accurate, reliable, and integrated financial information and advice, thereby actively contributing to excellence in education, research, and operations.

The Finance & Control team of Plant Sciences Group consists of approximately 35 finance professionals and is organized into two teams: Business Control and Project Control. You will work closely with fellow Business Controllers, each responsible for a portfolio of chair groups and research units. Together, you share responsibility for the financial management and internal processes of PSG while contributing to broader developments across Wageningen University & Research.

To be successful in this role, you bring a strong combination of financial expertise, analytical thinking, and business acumen. You are able to translate financial insights into practical actions and meaningful results, while effectively supporting decision-making at both operational and strategic levels.

You also have the following qualities:

• Strong financial insight combined with a hands-on mentality; you know how to turn analyses into concrete actions and measurable outcomes;
• Excellent communication skills, with the ability to translate financial data into clear, understandable language and actionable management information;
• A structured and independent working style, enabling you to maintain oversight in complex environments and multifaceted challenges;
• Strong organizational awareness, initiative, and the ability to navigate different and sometimes conflicting interests. You are comfortable challenging stakeholders and are confident in your role as a trusted advisor;
• The ability to move seamlessly between strategic and operational topics and to translate financial information into sound business decisions.

In addition, you have:

• A completed Bachelor's (HBO) or Master's degree, preferably in Business Economics, Accounting, Finance, or a related field;
• Significant experience in Financial Control and/or Business Control, preferably within large, complex, or project-driven organizations.
• Fluent proficiency in Dutch, both spoken and written.
  

In our international working environment there is an increasing amount of communication in English. For this position it is about  English language level C1 and Dutch language level C1.

Wageningen University & Research offers excellent terms of employment. A few highlights from our Collective Labour Agreement include:

• working hours that can be discussed and arranged so that they allow for the best possible work-life balance;
• sabbatical leave, study leave, and partially paid parental leave;
• there is a strong focus on vitality and you can make use of the sports facilities available on campus for a small fee;
• a fixed year-end bonus of 8,3%;
• excellent pension scheme.

In addition to these first-rate employee benefits, you will of course receive a good salary. We offer, depending on your experience, a competitive gross salary of between €3,399.- and €6,228.- for a full-time working week of 36 hours, in accordance with the CLA Wageningen Research (scale 11). Initially, we will offer you a one‑year contract, which—if there is mutual enthusiasm—will be extended to a permanent contract. We actively encourage development and mobility within our organisation. In our recruitment and selection policy, you can read which conditions apply specifically to you as a (former) employee. If you have any questions about this, we are happy to help you.

We encourage development and internal mobility within our organisation. Our recruitment and selection policy sets out the conditions that apply specifically to you as a (former) employee. If you have any questions, we are happy to help.

Coming from abroad
Wageningen University & Research is the university and research centre for life sciences. The themes we deal with are relevant to everyone around the world and Wageningen, therefore, has a large international community and a lot to offer to international employees. 

Because we expect you to work and live in the Netherlands our team of advisors on Dutch immigration procedures will help you with the visa application procedures for yourself and, if applicable, for your family. If you come with a partner, we offer a Dual Career group program organized by our Welcome Center. This program helps your partner to get familiar with the Dutch culture, labour market and assists your partner to find a job.

Feeling welcome also has everything to do with being well informed. Wageningen University & Research's International Community page contains practical information about what we can do to support international employees coming to Wageningen. Furthermore, our Welcome Center can assist you with any additional advice and information about for example housing, opening a bank account or schooling. Finally, certain categories of international staff may be eligible for a tax exemption on a part of their salary during the first five years in the Netherlands.

For more information about the position, please contact Marcel Marks via email: marcel.marks@wur.nl.
Questions about the procedure? Get in touch with Jeanine van 't Veer via jeanine.vantveer-drost@wur.nl.

Ready to apply?
Click on the application button next to the vacancy on our website. Only applications submitted through our website will be considered.

You can apply up to and including 13 July 2026. Internal candidates are preferred to apply before 20 June 2026.

We review applications on a rolling basis, including before the closing date. As a result, the vacancy may close earlier than indicated.

Procedure
As part of our selection process, an assessment may be incorporated within the procedure

Welcome, safe, and valued
Wageningen University & Research (WUR) highly values diversity and inclusion because we believe that different insights lead to innovative solutions. We create a work environment where everyone feels welcome, safe, and appreciated, regardless of background, identity, or experience. Together, we are building a culture where everyone's unique contribution adds to the success of our organization.

​The mission of Wageningen University & Research is “To explore the potential of nature to improve the quality of life”. Under the banner Wageningen University & Research, Wageningen University and the specialised research institutes of the Wageningen Research Foundation have joined forces in contributing to finding solutions to important questions in the domain of healthy food and living environment. With its roughly 30 branches, 7,600 employees (6,700 fte) and 13,100 students and over 150,000 participants to WUR’s Life Long Learning, Wageningen University & Research is one of the leading organisations in its domain. The unique Wageningen approach lies in its integrated approach to issues and the collaboration between different disciplines.

Read the 5 reasons why your future colleagues enjoy working at WUR and watch the video below to get an idea of our green campus!

We will recruit for the vacancy ourselves, so no employment agencies please. However, sharing in your network is appreciated.

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