Financial Controller - Accounting & Compliance Lead

Location

Düsseldorf, Germany

This is an in-house / on-side role working mostly out of our Düsseldorf office.

Mission

The earth needs to get back to zero. At Zelestra, we make your decarbonization a reality! By working hard and working smart. We do all we can to meet our clients' goals and get results that matter.

Zelestra is a purpose driven global multi-technology company, we provide value across the entire chain to enhance competitiveness and mitigate execution risk in large-scale renewable energy projects with a robust project portfolio and vertical integration to deliver renewable solutions efficiently.

We believe in the energy transition is the defining project of our generation - and that it should be exciting to be part of it. Our culture is build on innovation, collaboration, sustainability and real local impact: we create value in the communities where we build, and we give our people responsibility early.

Germany is one of Zelestra's key business units, led by an experienced and driven management team, with a clear strategy: develop, build and operate wind, solar and battery energy storage assets at scale. Our first project reached commercial operation in 2026 and our pipeline has over 2 GWs of new projects. This is a growth story at its steepest point - and finance is at the center of it.

You will be the owner of the actuals of Zelestra Germany - and a builder. Together with our Global Controlling and Accounting team, you will shape the local accounting function from the ground up: the process, the automation, the standards. This is not a caretaker role; it is a chance to design how a fast-growing energy platform runs its numbers.

Responsibilities

• Own the month-end close, balance sheet and SPV accounting for all German entities - our shared service center executes, you control quality and onw the numbers.
• Report actuals with business commentary - explain the numbers, don't just post them.
• Develop analysis on deviatios from budget and recommendations on what the business needs to do better.
• Own local statutory and tax compliance (HGB annual accounts, VAT, CIT), working with the top-tier external advisors who support our compliance work.
• Build and automate: AI-supported close, reconciliation, with the backing of the global finance organization.

Job Requirements

• Degree in accounting / finance or comparable qualification (e.g. Bilanzbuchhalter/in).
• Ownership mentality and commercial curiosity.
• Curiosity and capacity to execute AI-supported tooling and process improvement.
• Prior experience with a leading audit / accounting firm or experience in renewables or infrastructure business is a strong plus.
• Business fluent in German and English.

What we offer

• A lean, entrepreneurial team where your decisions matter and your impact is visible
• A fast-growing platform with strong deal flow and an active development pipeline ready to be executed.
• Competitive salary in the range of EUR 80,000 - 95,000 and performance-based incentive.

Zelestra celebrates the diversity of thought and experience that comes from a variety of backgrounds including, but not limited to, gender, age, ethnicity... Our mission is to contribute to a more just and equitable society.

JR2875

#Li-Onsite