Senior R&D Controller - CP&O

The Opportunity

At Hitachi Energy, we are accelerating the transition toward a sustainable energy future through innovation, technology, and global collaboration. We are looking for a highly motivated Senior R&D Controller to join our Technology Services team and play a critical role in enabling strategic research and development investments through strong financial leadership.

In this role, you will serve as a trusted financial business partner to global R&D leaders, providing financial planning, performance management, and decision-support capabilities across a diverse portfolio of innovation initiatives. You will be responsible for driving financial transparency, optimizing resource utilization, and ensuring that R&D investments align with business objectives and long-term growth strategies.

Working in a dynamic international environment, you will collaborate closely with cross-functional stakeholders, project managers, engineering leaders, and global finance teams to deliver insightful analysis, robust forecasting, and strategic recommendations. Your expertise in financial controlling, budgeting, forecasting, and project performance management will help shape investment decisions and strengthen operational effectiveness across R&D activities.

This position offers the opportunity to work with global teams, contribute to cutting-edge technology development, and influence strategic decision-making at an international level. You will have exposure to senior stakeholders across regions, including collaboration with teams in Sweden and other global locations, while supporting innovative R&D programs that drive business growth and technological advancement. If you are passionate about finance, innovation, and business partnering and enjoy transforming complex financial data into actionable insights, this role provides an excellent platform for professional growth and international exposure.

How You'll Make an Impact

• Lead budgeting, forecasting, long-range planning, and financial performance management activities for R&D functions.
• Partner with R&D leadership and project teams to provide financial insights that support strategic investment and resource allocation decisions.
• Monitor and control R&D project expenditures, ensuring alignment with approved budgets while identifying cost optimization opportunities.
• Perform financial modeling, scenario planning, business case evaluations, and investment analysis to support innovation initiatives.
• Analyze business performance against budgets and forecasts, identifying key drivers, risks, opportunities, and recommending corrective actions.
• Develop executive-level financial reports, dashboards, and presentations that enable informed business decisions.
• Support month-end, quarter-end, and year-end closing activities while ensuring accurate financial reporting and compliance.
• Strengthen internal controls and ensure adherence to accounting standards, company policies, and regulatory requirements related to R&D spending.
• Drive process improvements, automation, standardization, and enhanced reporting capabilities to improve operational efficiency and financial visibility.
• Collaborate effectively with global stakeholders and leadership teams, building strong partnerships across functions and geographies.

• Bachelor's degree in Finance, Accounting, Economics, or a related field; MBA, CA, CPA, CMA, or equivalent professional qualification preferred.
• 5-8 years of experience in Financial Planning & Analysis (FP&A), Financial Controlling, Business Finance, or related finance functions.
• Experience supporting R&D, engineering, project, technology, manufacturing, pharmaceutical, or product development organizations.
• Strong expertise in budgeting, forecasting, variance analysis, financial reporting, project controlling, and business performance management.
• Advanced knowledge of SAP and ERP systems, along with strong proficiency in Microsoft Excel, Power BI, PowerPoint, and financial reporting tools.
• Proven capability in financial modeling, investment analysis, decision support, and strategic business partnering.
• Experience working with global stakeholders and cross-functional teams in a multicultural environment; must have experience collaborating with international teams.
• Excellent analytical, communication, stakeholder management, and presentation skills, with the ability to influence senior leadership and operate effectively in a fast-paced environment.