Business Controller

We are looking for a hands-on and analytical Business Controller to join our Finance team and drive project-related financial insight, reporting and performance management as we scale.

Optics11 is a world leader in fiber optic sensing technology for ultra-sensitive early warning systems. From our base in the Netherlands – a global hub for high-tech innovation and maritime expertise – we are on a mission to make the world safer by protecting critical infrastructure such as sea-lanes, (offshore) energy assets and subsea cables from disruption. Optics11 recently closed a €17 million investment round.

As Business Controller, you will be the first point of contact for the business when it comes to project-related performance, reporting, and forecasting. You will take full ownership of the financials related to projects (including COGS, inventory, and project revenue recognition), and support our commercial and product teams with analysis, business cases and clear performance insights. You will also co-own the financial model and budgeting cycle for business areas such as the market teams and product development.

You’ll report directly to the CFO and work closely with stakeholders across the business, including Sales, Product Management, Project Management, Operations and the People team, and collaborate with the Finance Manager and Junior Controller to ensure a clean split between business and financial control responsibilities.

This is a great opportunity for a proactive finance professional who enjoys working with data, improving decision-making and making an impact in a fast-paced, scale-up environment.

Key Responsibilities:

Performance Insight & Decision Support:

• Act as the first point of contact for internal business stakeholders on financial insights and planning.

• Support our two market teams (Energy & Underwater Security) with performance monitoring, target setting and forecasting.

• Develop and implement KPI frameworks, including dashboarding via BI tools (e.g. PowerBI),

• Prepare and review business cases for new product launches, R&D projects and market entries in collaboration with Product Management.

Project Control:

• Own and maintain P&L and Balance Sheet accounts related to projects, including COGS and inventory.

• Ensure timely and accurate reporting of project performance and actuals vs. Budget/Latest Estimate.

• Monitor and improve processes around e.g. time writing and periodically update cost rate calculations for e.g. engineers.

Planning, Forecasting & Reporting:

Support the annual budgeting process for departments and Market teams.

Maintain the strategic financial model for business forecasting and scenario planning.

Provide/collect input for capex planning and cost allocations for development projects.

Prepare periodic latest estimates (LEs) for key stakeholders.

Align with the Finance Manager on shared inputs for monthly closing and reconciliation processes.

Prepare monthly and quarterly management reports and dashboards related to business performance.

Assist the CFO in preparing reporting packages for shareholders and Supervisory Board.

What’s in it for you?

• Competitive salary and benefits package.

• A key strategic role in a high-tech scale-up with real impact.

• A dynamic international environment (never a dull moment) with short decision lines and plenty of room to grow.

• Hybrid working model (1 day WFH) for flexibility and work-life balance.

• Healthy office lunch.

• A fun and collaborative team culture where innovation and initiative are valued.

What we’re looking for:

• Bachelor’s or Master’s (preferred) degree in Economics, Business Administration or a related field.

• 3+ years of relevant experience, including time FP&A, Projects Control and/or Business Control.

• Experience in a scale-up, tech company or dynamic environment with changing structures and maturing processes.

• Strong analytical skills, attention to detail and ability to work with large datasets.

• Proficiency in PowerBI (or similar BI tools) and Excel is required; familiarity with Exact is a plus.

• Structured, hands-on and proactive approach with a focus on adding business value.

• Strong communication skills and ability to collaborate across business and finance teams.

• A working proficiency in Dutch is considered an advantage.

• Must already reside in the Netherlands.

Interested?

If you’re a Business Controller looking for your next challenge in a fast-growing, purpose-driven company, we’d love to hear from you. Apply now or contact our Recruitment Lead: Dora Öveges at dora.oveges@optics11.com if you have any questions.