Business Controller - NORSAR

"For those who want to combine solid accounting expertise with strategic project finance in an international research environment."

NORSAR is an internationally recognised research foundation with a clear societal mission: to contribute to a safer world through seismological research and monitoring. To strengthen our finance function, we are now hiring a Business Controller for a newly established key role.

This position is for someone who thrives at the intersection of finance, projects, research and management, and who wants to work closely with decision-makers in an organisation characterised by high professional integrity and an international outlook.

About the role

As a Business Controller at NORSAR, you will have end-to-end responsibility for the financial follow-up of a diverse portfolio of national and international research projects. The role is both strategic and operational and serves as a key link between researchers, management and the CFO.

You will be a central contributor to improved financial governance, more efficient processes, and reduced administrative burden for researchers.

The role reports to the CFO and may, once you are well established in the position, involve acting as the CFO's deputy in reporting to executive management and the board.

Key responsibilities include:

• Budgeting, forecasting and reporting to management and the board
• Accounting follow-up and invoicing for both national and international projects
• Financial project controlling from project initiation to final settlement
• Financial reporting in accordance with contracts and funding agreements
• Supporting researchers in contract management with national and international partners
• Working with international agreements, currency matters and financial structures
• Further development, streamlining and automation of financial processes
• Active use and further development of the project management system (InstiPro)

Who we are looking for

We are looking for an operational and analytical Business Controller with strong accounting competence and experience from project-based organisations. You are likely not fully junior, but also not so experienced that the role no longer represents an engaging professional challenge. Experience from project-based environments is more important than industry background.

You take ownership, work in a structured manner and actively seek opportunities for improvement.

The following qualifications and personal attributes will be valued:

• Higher education in finance or economics (Master's degree / equivalent)
• Experience with budgeting, forecasting and project finance
• Solid competence in accounting and invoicing
• Experience with contracts and financial follow-up of projects
• Interest in systems, technology and process improvement
• Strong written and verbal communication skills in English (working language). The working day is largely conducted in English, both written and spoken
• Structured, accurate and reliable
• Self-driven and proactive
• Collaborative and confident in dialogue with subject-matter experts
• Curious and improvement-oriented

What we offer

We offer a key role in an international research organisation with a clear societal mission. You will have genuine influence on financial management and process development, and work closely with the CFO and executive management. You will contribute to the streamlining and automation of financial processes and become part of a multicultural and inclusive organisation where diversity, culture-building and high professional integrity are core values.

The role also provides a unique opportunity for professional growth and development, with potential to act as the CFO's deputy over time.

NORSAR offers an attractive total compensation package, including comprehensive insurance schemes, occupational health services, training facilities, canteen, company cabin, parking, and membership in the Norwegian Public Service Pension Fund (SPK). The workplace is located in Kjeller.

Would you like to know more?

We want to give candidates a clear and realistic picture of what this role entails. We have therefore interviewed NORSAR about what the job involves and what they are looking for in this recruitment process. Listen to the interview with CFO Lars and CEO Birger here: https://on.soundcloud.com/rildtC0R8AM1oHhs2C

If you have any questions, feel free to contact Veronica Jensen (veronica@meyerhaugen.no, +47 918 52 885) or Kjetil Berthelsen (kjetil@meyerhaugen.no, +47 900 71 181) for a confidential and non-binding conversation.

NORSAR operates at the intersection of advanced research, technology development and societal security, in an international context characterised by high levels of trust, complex contractual structures and long-term collaborative projects. The organisation's mission, to contribute to a safer and more resilient world through seismological research and monitoring, depends on robust financial management, transparency and compliance.