Director, HR & MSF & IT Controlling

RWE•Chicago, IL

2d•$166,000 - $250,000

About The Position

As the Director of HR & Management Support Functions (MSF) & IT Controlling at RWE Clean Energy (RWECE), you hold a critical high-profile leadership position, leading a team of five controllers and being responsible for the financial planning & analysis, budgeting, performance management and business partnering of three key areas: HR, Management Support Functions (MSF) and IT. You will drive transparency, financial alignment, and strategic support across all three areas. With company-wide impact and direct financial influence over essential corporate functions this role offers exceptional exposure to RWECE C-suite, senior business leadership and Group stakeholders in Germany. You will work closely with the department head (SVP, Controlling) to shape the direction of Controlling for the Americas region. As Director you act as strategic advisor to the executive leadership team, ensure strong business partnering and contribute to digital transformation and cost optimization initiatives across the organization. HR Controlling: You are responsible for the company-wide FTE (Full Time Employees) and personnel cost planning, budgeting, monitoring, and reporting. In a dynamic and growing business environment you ensure transparency and strategic alignment for FTE and personnel costs and that associated company targets will be achieved. This critical and visible role offers direct exposure to the entire RWECE C-suite and senior leadership team, providing a platform for influencing strategic decision-making at the highest level. You will work closely with the HR and the leadership team as a strategic partner and trusted advisor on compensation strategies and workforce initiatives. You actively drive change by evaluating improvement measures, giving recommendations, and providing business decision support. You will own and drive high-impact deliverables, operate with a high degree of autonomy and accountability, and play a key role in translating people strategy into business outcomes. The position offers international exposure through collaboration with the German Group Holding and other global entities. MSF Controlling: You are responsible for planning, budgeting, monitoring & reporting the financial performance of RWECE’s Support Functions (i.e. corporate overhead departments). This critical function ensures transparency, cost effectiveness, and strategic alignment of all support functions spend. Working as strategic partner and trusted advisor with the business, evaluating improvement measures, actively giving recommendations/appropriate challenges, and business decision support. IT Controlling: You are responsible for the financial planning, budgeting, monitoring & reporting for the RWECE IT & OT business. Ensuring transparency, cost effectiveness, and strategic alignment of all RWECE IT & OT investments. Working as strategic partner and trusted advisor with the IT/OT function to evaluate improvement measures, actively giving recommendations/appropriate challenges, and business decision support.

Requirements

BA/BS in Finance/Accounting/Economics/Business (required); MBA or an Advanced degree is a plus, but not required
Minimum 12 years of professional experience in Controlling, Financial Planning & Analysis, Financial or Management Consulting, or other Finance-related fields; Minimum 4 years leading a team and/or function
Ability to lead, inspire, manage, develop and empower team members
Applies problem-solving skills to align financial insights with strategic priorities; leverages excellent analytical abilities to integrate diverse and complex data into holistic insights and recommendations; manages complexity across the organization with stakeholder awareness; demonstrates proactive and creative problem-solving
Self-motivated to drive the business, increase performance and deliver results
Consults cross-functionally to convey complex information, challenge status quo,and solve diverse issues
Persuasive communicator who establishes feedback culture and drives consensus building across senior leadership
Proven ability to empathize, build relationships, and effectively communicate with people from a diverse set of backgrounds
Expert in segment FP&A; implements reporting frameworks and planning strategy
Continuous process improvement supporting the proactive pursuit of best practices, processes, standardization and tools that drive gains in efficiency, automation, and quality
Demonstrated desire to learn about the Company and the renewables space
Proficiency with Microsoft Office tools, especially Excel (moderate to advanced); knowledge in SAP, PeopleSoft, Tableau, Power BI and other system/tools is a plus
General accounting and IFRS knowledge a plus
Language: English (fluent), German is a plus

Nice To Haves

Renewable energy experience is a plus, but not required
MBA or an Advanced degree is a plus, but not required
Integration and change management experience is a plus
knowledge in SAP, PeopleSoft, Tableau, Power BI and other system/tools is a plus
Language: German is a plus

Responsibilities

Serve as a key finance partner to the C-suite and senior leadership, providing insights / challenges / recommendations on cost structures, strategic initiatives, and workforce planning
Prepare and present financial reporting, forecasts, and business cases to executive stakeholders, including Board-level and RWE Group presentations
Act as the primary finance contact for corporate functions including HR, IT/OT, and all MSF departments, ensuring financial transparency and strategic alignment at the highest levels
Lead, motivate, develop and retain a high-performing team of Controlling professionals by fostering a culture of excellence, innovation, empowerment, and data-driven decision-making
Define and execute the controlling strategy for corporate functions aligned with company-wide strategic, financial and operational goals
Partner closely with global counterparts to ensure alignment with group-wide standards, especially in planning, cost modelling, and internal governance
Oversee end-to-end financial planning, budgeting, and forecasting for: Company-wide FTE and personnel costs (HR Controlling) Overhead costs of 14+ support departments (MSF Controlling) IT & OT costs and investments (IT Controlling)
Ensure high-quality monthly and quarterly reporting and performance tracking
Drive data quality, consistency, transparency and actionable insights for executive decision-making
Act as a trusted advisor to senior functional leaders, proactively identifying cost drivers, investment trade-offs, and savings opportunities
Deliver forward-looking analysis and scenario modelling that links operational planning with financial performance
Support transformation and organizational design efforts with financial insight
Design and maintain robust controlling processes, models, and planning tools
Lead and/or support cross-functional continuous process improvements and digitization of FP&A activities (e.g. implementation of SAP-based budgeting tool)
Ensure compliance with Group policies and internal financial standards.

Benefits

Medical
Dental
Vision
Life Insurance
Short-Term Disability
Long-Term Disability
401(k) match
Flexible Spending Accounts
EAP
Education Assistance
Parental Leave
Paid time off
Holidays
Eligible employees also participate in short-term incentives, in addition to salary.