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Foundation Controller (all genders)

 

The Hasso Plattner Foundation

Established by SAP co-founder Hasso Plattner, the Hasso Plattner Foundation builds and runs its own long-term philanthropic initiatives. It founds and funds institutions, shaping them over decades, such as the Hasso Plattner Institute for Digital Engineering, Museum Barberini, and Sabine Plattner African Charities. An in-house Investment Office manages the endowment that makes it all possible.

You'll sit at the crossroads of finance and philanthropy, giving controlling and financial rigor to charitable projects spanning the globe while acting as the trusted link between our controlling and program management teams.

This role is based in Potsdam, Germany. We work predominantly in-office, by design. It's how we keep decisions fast and collaboration real.

 

The Role

We are looking for a Foundation Controller (all genders) to support our team in Potsdam. In this role, you will be in charge of the controlling of dedicated charitable affiliates as well as charitable projects. You will liaise with our project partners worldwide to ensure diligent project controlling. You will report to the Head of Controlling.  

Suitable candidates are self-starters who feel comfortable in a dynamic team and understand how to set priorities under pressure. International candidates with relevant professional experience are encouraged to apply for this position. The position has high visibility with internal and external partners and requires very good communication skills. 

 

Your Responsibilities

  • Control charitable affiliates, foundation assets, and external charitable projects against strategic and compliance guidelines, tracking financial KPIs and reporting on financial health 
  • Review charitable affiliates' and projects' financial reports, budgets, and audit reports, and give clear feedback to external partners and internal Program Managers 
  • Prepare for and participate in board meetings and charities’ committee meetings 
  • Conduct due diligence on funding requests: check compliance with our charitable purpose, test budget plausibility, and assess expected impact before requests go to the board 
  • Ensure accurate project-related data and document records in S/4 HANA and our legal entity management software 
  • Manage ad-hoc projects in the Foundation universe, as well as internal initiatives to further enhance controlling capabilities, tools, and processes
  • Use AI tools, including large language models and agentic workflows, to speed up financial reporting and controlling tasks 
  • Act as a connector between the Foundation's controlling team and the program management team to ensure key information is shared mutually and in a timely manner 

 

What You Bring

  • Very good academic degree in business administration or similar subject 
  • 2 – 4 years of relevant professional experience in the field of controlling with a recognized company (preferably with a charitable organization, consulting, or audit firm) 
  • Ideally, experience in working with project partners in different countries and cultures 
  • Excellent communication and writing skills in English, preferably at least intermediate fluency in German 
  • Mastery of MS Office, especially Excel and PowerPoint; Power BI; knowledge in SAP FI/BI or similar is a plus
  • Comfortable working with AI tools such as large language models and agentic workflows, or eager to learn 
  • Experience with audit processes would be an advantage 
  • Exceptional attention to detail and proven ability to deliver high-quality reports to senior management 

 

You Are...

  • Structured and have a self-dependent working style with the ability to handle multiple projects and tasks at the same time 
  • Organized and know how to plan and prioritize your own work, focusing on the most value-adding activities 
  • Strong verbal communication skills and business writing skills with the ability to translate financial information to audiences with little or limited financial knowledge 
  • An analytical, detail-oriented self-starter with a getting-things-done attitude
  • Welcome and actively seek feedback for your personal development and performance improvement 

 

What We Offer

  • A lean team with short reporting lines and fast decisions: your work is visible to leadership from day one 
  • The entrepreneurial pace and ownership of a high-ambition organization, backed by the stability of a well-funded endowment 
  • AI tools in active use (n8n, Asana AI Studio, LLMs, agentic workflows); we’re early in the journey, building seriously; we see AI as a means to an end, not a headline
  • Competitive compensation, state-of-the-art IT, public transport ticket, free lunch, excellent coffee, outdoor sports, and a beautiful lakeside office in Potsdam

 

To Apply

Send your CV, diplomas, references, salary expectations, and earliest start date as one PDF.

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