Sr HR Controlling Associate

RWE•Chicago, IL

4d•$105,000 - $141,000•Onsite

About The Position

The Senior Associate, HR Controlling will be part of the HR & Management Support Function (MSF) Controlling team in the rapidly growing Renewables Business of RWE Clean Energy (RWECE). The team comprises three different Controlling functions: HR Controlling, MSF Controlling and IT Controlling. The Senior Associate role focuses on HR Controlling. As a Senior Associate, HR Controlling you will be responsible for the company-wide FTE (Full Time Employees) and personnel cost monitoring, budgeting, planning, 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 new compensation strategies or workforce initiatives (e.g. the implementation of new incentive schemes or post-merger workforce integration). 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 is responsible for monitoring, budgeting, planning & reporting the financial performance of RWECE’s Support Functions’ overhead cost. Ensuring transparency, cost effectiveness, and strategic alignment of all support functions spend. Working as strategic partner and trusted advisor with the business, evaluates improvement measures, actively giving recommendations/appropriate challenges, and business decision support. IT Controlling is responsible for the financial performance monitoring, budgeting, and financial planning & 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 business, evaluates improvement measures, actively giving recommendations/appropriate challenges, and business decision support.

Requirements

BA/BS in Finance/Accounting/Economics/Business (required)
Minimum of 5 years of professional experience in Accounting, Business Controlling, Financial Planning & Analysis, Financial or Management Consulting, or other Finance related fields
Strong interpersonal skills, with ability to manage customer relationships
Excellent analytical abilities including ability to compile, condense and explain complex structures and information
Demonstrated desire to learn about the Company and the renewables space
Proficiency with Microsoft Office tools, especially Excel (moderate to advanced)
Strong leadership and communication skills, and ability to meet deadlines
Strong organization skills and ability to coordinate multiple tasks and deliverables
Continuous process improvement supporting the proactive pursuit of best practices, processes, standardization and tools that drive gains in efficiency, automation, and quality
Ability to multi-task, while working independently and as part of a team
Motivated self-starter, goal-oriented, and strong problem-solving abilities
Proven ability to empathize, build relationships, and effectively communicate with people from a diverse set of backgrounds
Responsive to constructive feedback and coaching and desires personal development
Is detail-oriented, has strong business acumen, and a sound understanding of business concepts
Applicants must be legally authorized to work in the United States.
English (fluent)

Nice To Haves

An Advanced degree is a plus, but not required
Experience in Renewable energy and/or management is a plus, but not required
knowledge in SAP, PeopleSoft, Tableau, Power BI and other system/tools is a plus
Integration and change management experience is a plus
General accounting and IFRS knowledge a plus
German is a plus

Responsibilities

Senior associate responsible for HR Controlling (FP&A) topics, i.e. create and deliver monthly high quality executive leadership and senior management reporting and ad hoc analysis on FTE and personnel expense, drive special topics, and identify cost saving opportunities, and present key results on top management level.
Optimization, esp. digitization of planning and reporting processes as well as controlling products
Develop and maintain the model and processes for RWECE FTE and personnel cost planning.
Coordinate, drive and optimize timely, complete, accurate, high-quality planning/forecasting processes for the business.
Monitor, analyze and challenge FTE and cost developments and provide transparency about the actual development against budget, mid to long-term financial and FTE targets and benchmarks
Collaborate closely with the business and HR to ensure requirements for reporting and planning are fulfilled.
Serve as strategic partner by identifying costs saving opportunities, supporting/challenging/measuring critical HR initiatives and providing timely and insightful (ad-hoc) analysis that supports informed decision-making
As the primary contact for RWECE functions on FTE and personnel expense within the RWECE Controlling team, coordinate related topics and financial impacts across the RWECE business and the Controlling team
High level of exposure and interaction with Senior Management and the Executive Leadership Team (Board).
Prepare materials for and support meetings with Senior Management and the Board for both regular reporting activities and special projects/topics
Implement new tools and systems to streamline the handling of large data sets and optimize processes to improve data quality and enhance efficiency