POSTED: 11th February 2026
STARTING DATE: As soon as possible
FULL TIME ROTTERDAM
MISSION TO METRICS
The mission of The Ocean Cleanup is to develop advanced technologies to rid the world’s oceans of plastic. Our Finance team supports this effort by managing the organization's financial health, operations and strategy, including controllership, cash management, tax, reporting, forecasting and budgeting. We provide expert guidance to strategic business decisions, while always ensuring compliance with regulations and reporting requirements.
THE ASSIGNMENT
The Group Controller is a senior leadership role in the organization. To successfully manage the rapid growth of our business, we are seeking a bright, high-potential Group-Controller with the “full suite” of financial, accounting and governance expertise. In this role you ensure the integrity, accuracy, and timeliness of financial information while maintaining strong internal controls, compliance with accounting standards and regulations as well as effective governance and processes across multiple entities, geographies, or business units. You are expected to actively develop the Finance team to further grow and professionalize the Finance function, particularly in specialized areas such as treasury, investment management and tax.
RESPONSIBILITIES
Financial Operations, Reporting and Compliance
PROFESSIONAL QUALIFICATIONS
“Even if you don’t meet every professional qualification listed, we strongly encourage you to apply if you believe you have the right skills, experience, and motivation to contribute to our mission. We recognize that talent and potential come in many forms, and we value diverse perspectives and unconventional career paths. If you’re passionate about the work we do and confident in your ability to make an impact, don’t hesitate to submit your application—we’d love to hear from you”
STARTING DATE: As soon as possible
FULL TIME ROTTERDAM
MISSION TO METRICS
The mission of The Ocean Cleanup is to develop advanced technologies to rid the world’s oceans of plastic. Our Finance team supports this effort by managing the organization's financial health, operations and strategy, including controllership, cash management, tax, reporting, forecasting and budgeting. We provide expert guidance to strategic business decisions, while always ensuring compliance with regulations and reporting requirements.
THE ASSIGNMENT
The Group Controller is a senior leadership role in the organization. To successfully manage the rapid growth of our business, we are seeking a bright, high-potential Group-Controller with the “full suite” of financial, accounting and governance expertise. In this role you ensure the integrity, accuracy, and timeliness of financial information while maintaining strong internal controls, compliance with accounting standards and regulations as well as effective governance and processes across multiple entities, geographies, or business units. You are expected to actively develop the Finance team to further grow and professionalize the Finance function, particularly in specialized areas such as treasury, investment management and tax.
RESPONSIBILITIES
Financial Operations, Reporting and Compliance
- Independently manage the Group accounting operations, including general ledger, accounts payable, accounts receivable, fixed assets, inventory and payroll.
- Timely and reliable delivery of all financial reporting, tax and consolidation processes across all entities and in accordance with applicable accounting standards (Dutch GAAP, IFRS).
- Oversee the preparation and filing of statutory accounts for all Group entities, ensuring compliance with local regulatory requirements.
- Coordinate with external advisors and internal tax teams to ensure accurate accounting for taxes, provisions, and deferred tax balances.
- Design, implement, and maintain robust internal controls to safeguard assets and financial integrity, fit-for-purpose and in-sync with our business growth.
- Implement and maintain key financial policies including accounting, treasury, investment, reserves, financial governance and transfer-pricing.
- Advise on cross-border corporate entity (re-)structuring, including tax implications, in close collaboration with Legal.
- Lead the planning, coordination, and execution of Group external audits and the annual report, including managing timelines, deliverables, and stakeholder expectations.
- Prepare and present audit-related materials to senior management, the audit committee, or the supervisory board as required.
- Lead and develop a high-performing Controllers team
- Set clear objectives, performance expectations, and development plans to foster a culture of accountability, continuous learning and technical excellence.
- Drive the finance digital roadmap, in close collaboration with the Finance Business Partners, IT and other relevant stakeholders
- Lead or support finance transformation initiatives, including system implementations, process standardization, and automation.
- Identify opportunities to improve efficiency, reduce manual processes, and enhance the quality and timeliness of financial information.
- Act as a trusted advisor to the Finance Director and CFO as well as senior leadership on all matters related to financial control, accounting and financial risk management.
- Provide clear, insightful financial analysis to support executive decision-making.
- Contribute to board and executive-level presentations relating to financial performance, controls, and compliance.
“Even if you don’t meet every professional qualification listed, we strongly encourage you to apply if you believe you have the right skills, experience, and motivation to contribute to our mission. We recognize that talent and potential come in many forms, and we value diverse perspectives and unconventional career paths. If you’re passionate about the work we do and confident in your ability to make an impact, don’t hesitate to submit your application—we’d love to hear from you”
- Proven academic excellence: (executive) master’s degree with a financial accounting focus (RA/ CA/ CPA or equivalent is a must).
- At least 10 years of relevant Financial Controlling experience with IFRS, Dutch GAAP, and/ or US GAAP in fast-moving, goal-driven organizations (Financial Audit background is an advantage).
- Proficient in English (proficiency in Dutch is an advantage).
- Fast and effective user of Microsoft Office (Excel is a must), SAP 4/HANA (preferred) or other equivalent ERP system as well as CRM software.
- PowerBI and AI knowledge is an advantage.
- Affinity with engineering, offshore, project management and/ or the Ocean is key.
- You deliver work pro-actively, independently and on time.
- You are always one step ahead, continuously identifying improvement opportunities and mitigating emerging risks.
- You can alternate quickly between details and the bigger picture.
- You have shown excellent academic performance at some stage of your education and/or training.
- You are confident with problem-solving on the fly, but pragmatic with your solutions.
- You are a team player who is flexible and willing to jump in to help where needed.
- You have a proven track record of managing and developing high performing teams.
- You have strong written and verbal communication – able to give meaning to the numbers.
- You thrive in a high-paced, international environment.
- You have an intrinsic motivation to work on our ambitious and meaningful mission.
- Starting date: as soon as possible.
- Location : The role is based in Rotterdam, The Netherlands.
- As a non-profit organization, our salaries reflect our reliance on donations rather than commercial salaries.
- Conducting a pre-employment check is part of our recruitment process.
- We welcome applications from diverse backgrounds and are committed to an equal opportunity hiring process.