Senior Business Controller

About Us: At Booking.com, data drives our decisions. Technology is at our core. And innovation is everywhere. But our company is more than datasets, lines of code or A/B tests. We’re the thrill of the first night in a new place. The excitement of the next morning. The friends you encounter. The journeys you take. The sights you see. And the memories you make. Through our products, partners and people, we make it easier for everyone to experience the world.

At Booking.com, our mission is to make it easier for everyone to experience the world. Through our products, partners and people is how we do it. There's a whole planet of possibilities out there, and we bring it all together, in one place.

We offer a dynamic, motivating and sophisticated work environment. A culture that is open, innovative and performance orientated. Our scale and scope, commitment to people and high standards of integrity make Booking.com a great place to work.

If you would like to be part of a truly international company and finance team, if you think you can make a difference, have a closer look at this job opening.

Sr. Business Controller - Finance and Strategy at Booking.com:

We are currently looking for an entrepreneurial Sr. Business Controller to be part of the dynamic and fast-paced Financial Planning and Analysis (FP&A) team. The ideal candidate will possess strong financial acumen, strategic thinking abilities, combined with a proactive hands-on approach and a collaborative mindset. In this role you will report to the Senior Manager Central Tech within FP&A and be based out of our global HQ campus in Amsterdam.

Move beyond compiling data and help tell the story behind the numbers. This position offers the opportunity to drive decision making within Booking.com. As the Senior Business Controller, you will play a pivotal role in driving business performance through strong business partnering, insightful analysis, effective financial planning, and strategic decision support. You will lead the financial planning and control cycles, whereby there is a clear emphasis on bridging innovative business strategies into solid financial plans. On the basis of insightful business analysis and building business cases, you proactively take the lead in advising stakeholders on their departments’ financial performance, expenses, FTE growth and other relevant business KPIs.

You will be responsible for improving our team's workflows through process standardization, automation of financial reporting, and transformation projects aimed at enhancing planning and control processes and adopting digital reporting.

Lastly, you will also work on cost optimization projects. This will require close cooperation with FP&A peers, the Business, and relevant teams outside of FP&A.

Due to the rapid and continuous growth of the organization, the tasks and duties of this role will evolve over time. You will be keen to develop and grow within the role and challenge yourself to take on additional projects and responsibilities as they present themselves.

Responsibilities:

• Works mostly autonomously with limited guidance of others based on complexity; performs detailed and critical self review of work. Begins to review the work of others

• Advise and influence senior stakeholders—including those at Senior Director/business unit level—by regularly providing strategic input and shaping complex business decisions

• Lead the development and execution of financial planning processes, including annual budgets, quarterly forecasts, and long-term strategic plans

• Conduct comprehensive financial analysis to identify trends, opportunities, and risks, providing actionable insights to senior management for decision-making;

• Collaborate with the business to identify what drives (financial) success for Finance and Strategy and develop key performance indicators and metrics for these drivers;

• Clearly present analyses and reports to business partners for informed decisions. Tailor communications for senior audiences (Directors, VPs) and lead negotiations on competing business interests.

• Initiate and oversee cross-functional process or tooling improvements, drive process automation, and own transformation projects with broad organizational impact.

• Lead deliverables with medium-to-high business impact and complexity, influencing business outcomes across multiple teams, tracks, and the broader Business Unit.

• Work with a high level of autonomy, taking responsibility for deliverables with minimal guidance, and routinely review and approve the work of colleagues.

• Own large, cross-functional projects and initiatives that drive operational and tactical advancement of the organization’s business objectives.

• Work with other business controllers, accounting and business teams on month-end close to accurately report business results and provide insightful explanatory commentary;

• Actively contribute to the Business Controller Craft community, sharing best practices, aligning on standardized processes and participating in regular meetings and retros to foster innovation and alignment across teams.

Qualifications/Requirements:

• 5+ years of relevant progressive experience within FP&A / Business Control;

• Bachelor’s degree in Business, Finance, or other related field;

• Additional professional certification (CPA/RC/CIMA/CMA) or studying is a plus;

• Advanced knowledge of Excel required, Google Sheets is a plus;

• Financial modeling and analytical skills;

• Ability to business partner with demanding stakeholders;

• You are able to take ownership of tasks/processes;

• Ability to listen, work with and proactively advise business partners;

• Sees the headlines whilst having attention for the details;

• Is able to explain economics and Finance to non-Finance business partners in a simple, understandable manner;

• Integrate strategic oversight and dig into details with granular financial analysis to resolve intricate issues.

• Excellent communication skills (both written and verbal) in English;

• Strong team player while being able to work independently;

• Comfortable working in cross-functional teams and in an unstructured environment;

• Demonstrated ability to manage multiple competing priorities simultaneously and drive projects to completion.

Booking.com’s Total Rewards Philosophy is not only about compensation but also about benefits. Our Total Rewards are striven to make it easier for you to experience all that life has to offer—all the messy, beautiful, and joyful bits—on your terms. So you can focus on what really matters. We offer competitive compensation as well as thoughtful, valuable, and even fun benefits which include:

• Health, life, and disability insurance*

• Annual paid time off and generous paid leave scheme including: parent, grandparent, bereavement, and care leave

• Hybrid working including flexible working arrangements, and up to 20 days per year working from abroad (home country)

• Industry leading product discounts for yourself, friends, and family, including automatic Genius Level 3 status and Booking.com wallet credit

• Free access to online learning platforms, development and mentorship programs, and a complimentary Headspace membership

• On-site meals, coffee, and snacks, including healthy and vegan options, daily

Inclusion, Diversity, Belonging, Wellbeing and Volunteering (IDBWV) have been a core part of our company culture since day one. This ongoing journey starts with our very own employees, who represent over 140 nationalities and a wide range of ethnic and social backgrounds, genders and sexual orientations. Take it from our Chief People Officer, Paulo Pisano: “At Booking.com, the diversity of our people doesn’t just build an outstanding workplace, it also crafts a better and more inclusive travel experience for everyone. Inclusion is at the heart of everything we do. It’s a place where you can make your mark and have a real impact in travel and tech.” We will ensure that individuals with disabilities are provided reasonable adjustment to participate in the job application or interview process, to perform crucial job functions, and to receive other benefits and privileges of employment!!

If your application is successful, your personal data may be used for a pre-employment screening check by a third party as permitted by applicable law. Depending on the vacancy and applicable law, a pre-employment screening may include employment history, education and other information (such as media information) that may be necessary for determining your qualifications and suitability for the position.