Project Controller (18 months, fixed-term)

Your Role in a Nutshell

The Project Controller at the adidas Foundation plays an essential role in ensuring the financial integrity, compliance and efficiency of our international projects by coordinating funding activities, developing robust financial management processes, and equipping teams with the necessary tools and guidance for effective budget control. This role supports organizational transparency, accountability and sustainability, ensuring that financial resources are allocated appropriately and in line with project goals and donor requirements. By collaborating across teams, verifying expenditures, maintaining proper records, and optimizing financial workflows, the Project Controller enhances reporting accuracy, helps streamline grant administration, and supports the overall mission and long-term success of our organization.

Key Stats

• Team: Operations
• Direct Reporting Line: Head of Operations
• Country of Employment: Germany
• Office Location: Nuremberg (up to 80% mobile work within Germany per month)
• Working Hours: 35 hours per week (full-time)

Your Day-To-Day

• Review funding applications from our international partners and support budget preparation for funding agreements, ensuring that financial contributions effectively support project goals
• Prepare the transfer of funds, carrying out budget and reporting checks to ensure that funds are used for their intended purpose and in compliance with donor restrictions
• Develop, introduce, and explain budget controlling and monitoring processes and best practices as part of the overall project lifecycle, providing guidance and training to external partners and internal teams
• Monitor and control project budgets, ensuring financial accountability, tracking expenditures, and proactively addressing potential risks or deviations
• Assist with internal monitoring and reporting, such as quarterly forecasts, annual budgeting, and variance analysis
• Ensure compliance with funding regulations and financial policies, verifying digital proof of project expenses against budgets and maintaining proper documentation to support audit readiness
• Support the preparation of financial reporting and annual audit requirements by providing project-related financial information and analysis
• Administer and process grants and other payments such as invoices, reimbursements, and incoming donations, while ensuring smooth processing and system improvements
• Collaborate with team members across finance, programs and MEAL to improve financial workflows, streamline grant administration, and enhance reporting efficiency
• Contribute to internal projects and process improvements, optimizing financial systems, tools, and guidelines for greater transparency and efficiency

The People You'll Work With

• adidas Foundation’s Head of Operations
• adidas Foundation’s Finance and wider Operations team
• adidas Foundation’s Head of Programs, Programs team
• adidas Foundation’s Managing Director and broader team
• Program Partners, non-profit organizations
• External vendors and consultants

What Makes You Awesome

• A results-driven and self-motivated team player with compassion, integrity, trust, and perseverance, eager to work in a hands-on startup environment
• Expertise in financial and budget management, reporting, analysis and risk assessment, with experience in project budget monitoring, restricted fund tracking, grant compliance, and expenditure verification, ideally in an internationally operating German-registered non-profit
• Ability to develop processes and guidance and to support and train internal staff and external stakeholders on budget monitoring, financial planning, and compliance with donor and statutory regulations
• Strong skills in Excel and Smartsheet for budget tracking, financial modeling, and process optimization
• Exhibits sound judgment, tact, humility, and discretion, with extensive interpersonal skills to build trust-based relationships across diverse communities, stakeholders, and cultures
• Strong organizational skills with the ability to prioritize work, pay attention to detail, and meet deadlines
• Strong communication skills, with the ability to convey financial concepts clearly to non-finance stakeholders
• Effective English and, preferably, German presentation and communication skills (verbal and in written), with composure in conveying information

Your Fundamentals

• Apprenticeship (e.g., commercial or administrative), bachelor’s degree (e.g., financial management, economics or business administration) or equivalent vocational training/experience in a relevant field
• 2-4 years of work experience in project controlling, preferably in a German non-profit context, but international non-profit experience is equally beneficial
• Proficiency in financial software (preferably DATEV or other accounting/ERP systems) and/or grant management software
• Further qualifications or certifications, particularly in the context of German non-profit finance, are a plus
• Willingness to travel internationally, max. 15% of the time and only as needed

Your Future Working Environment

Interested candidates should submit a resume, and cover letter exclusively through our job platform. To ensure a fair and equal process for everyone, please understand that we cannot engage in individual conversations. Applications will be accepted until March 24th 2026 .