Vacancy description

The main task of the function is to act as the financial conscience of the Institute and to support the Institute’s activities from a financial, as well as an HR-angle. The function has many responsibilities and is therefore very diverse. The postholder will have a critical role in setting the financial strategy for the organization, ensuring that financial systems are robust and are followed to a high standard, and overseeing the work of the finance department.

Responsibilities·      

• Provide strategic and financial guidance to the Management Team and the General Director to ensure that the organization’s financial commitments are met.
• Be in control of the Institute’s finances in every aspect of the function:
• Ensure timely financial reports, budgets and annual accounts.
• Lead the process of accounts payable and accounts receivable.
• Manage liquidity, taxes and pensions.
• Manage the projects administration, time registration system, contracts, financial reporting to clients and external auditing.
• Manage the fellowships of students, communicate with and report to the fellowship organizations.
• Develop policies and procedures to support the above functions.
• Member of the Management Team and participate in working groups
• Ensure a proper administrative organization and embed internal control measures.
• Provide support to professional services in the organization as appropriate, possibly including HR and IT policy.
• Functional relations with the Controller of EUR Holding bv and other financial experts of the Erasmus University.

• Minimum HBO+ degree in finance,
• Minimum 10 year of experience as head of a financial administration,
• Familiar with Project-administration; knowledge of SAP-FiCo is a plus,
• Familiar with consultancy contracts,
• Affinity with Human Resources,
• Excellent communication and computer skills (MS-Office),
• Excellent English and Dutch language skills (in writing and speech),
• Highly organized, accurate and structured way of working/ be able to work with deadlines / multitasking,
• Flexible attitude to work with the variety of tasks and deadlines,
• Proactive and independent working style,
• Interested in working in an international environment and having an international mindset.

Fixed-term contract: The position is available in Rotterdam, the Netherlands, starting for a period of 1 year, with possible extension of employment.

We offer a challenging job in an international and dynamic work environment. The salary is in accordance with the responsibilities of the job and is subject to education and experience and corresponds to Scale 12-13 of CAO NU (4.814,00 euros to 6.702,00 euros gross per month). IHS has attractive employment conditions, which include a holiday allowance of 8.0%, an end-of-year bonus of 8.3% and 30 vacation days per year, in case of a full work week. The Controller will report to the General Director.

The candidate must be in possession of a Dutch residence permit or be an EU citizen.

The Institute for Housing and Urban Development Studies (IHS)

The Institute for Housing and Urban Development Studies (IHS) is a centre of urban expertise of Erasmus University Rotterdam. Looking at cities from different perspectives, we educate urban professionals from diverse backgrounds, provide consultancy services to national and local governments from the Global South and engage in cutting-edge urban research.

Bringing practical experience from real-life projects back to the classroom, we inspire collaboration and co-creation of urban knowledge. Together with our partners, we work at the forefront of urban development to improve the wellbeing of people living in cities across the globe.

The Department for Finance and Office Management

At the moment the Controller supervises 2-4 colleagues.

Due to coming retirement of the current controller recruitment is started now to allow a reasonable transition period.