Project controller

About this position

Do you want to contribute to innovations that make the Netherlands smarter, more sustainable, and future-proof? As a Project Controller at TNO, you play a key role in a wide range of projects within the Services Organisation. You are more than a financial professional. You are a trusted sparring partner for project leaders, researchers, and managers. Through your advice, you help project teams turn ideas into tangible results.

The profession is evolving rapidly. Digitalisation, data analytics, and AI are transforming the way we work and make decisions. At TNO, you will have the opportunity not only to follow these developments but also to help shape them. You will contribute to new ways of working, smart solutions, and the further development of project control within an innovative knowledge organisation. We are also committed to your personal growth. Whether you want to advance as a controller, deepen your expertise, or broaden your skill set, TNO offers the freedom, guidance, and training to help you achieve your ambitions.

What will be your role?

Within the departments CREF, IS, and Strategic Investments, significant (strategic) investments are made, creating a need for closer and more professional project monitoring. As a Project Controller, you support a broad portfolio of innovative research and development projects. You work closely with project leaders and help them stay in control of the financial aspects of their projects. You advise on budgets, project performance, and the financial implications of decisions. In addition, you review project proposals, quotations, cost calculations, and contracts. You identify opportunities and risks at an early stage and translate financial information into clear, practical insights that colleagues can act on immediately. You look beyond individual projects and focus on the bigger picture, creating value not only for today’s projects but also for tomorrow’s developments.

Alongside your project responsibilities, you will have the opportunity to contribute to the further professionalisation of Finance & Control within TNO. This includes improving processes, developing management information, and applying new technologies such as data analytics and AI. It is a varied and challenging role. You will focus on projects within the Services Organisation and be responsible for a portfolio of approximately 80 projects. You will oversee monitoring, analysis, and reporting within the Project Fitness system. As this is a relatively new approach within the Services Organisation, you will have plenty of opportunity to contribute your ideas, shape the way forward, and truly pioneer new practices.

Your office location is The Hague (AvB). As a Project Controller within the Services Organisation, you will join an experienced, collaborative, and professional team. You will work closely with five direct colleagues and report to the Manager Corporate Control. Together, you will act as the financial conscience of the organisation.

What we expect from you

You are a confident and analytically strong professional who quickly distinguishes between main and secondary issues and effortlessly switches between different topics, interests, and priorities. In a complex environment with peaks in workload and tight deadlines, you are able to identify risks early and provide proactive advice. As a valued sparring partner, you build strong and lasting relationships and earn the trust of project leaders, researchers, and managers. Thanks to your organisational awareness, communication skills, and broad perspective, you connect different interests and make financial topics understandable for a wide range of stakeholders. You are conceptually strong, able to connect projects, business objectives, and TNO’s strategic ambitions, and you thrive in an environment where innovation, digitalisation, data analytics, and AI play an increasingly important role. You are also accurate, proactive, and enjoy solving complex puzzles, enabling you to make a meaningful contribution to both content-driven and process-related improvements.

You also bring:

• A completed bachelor's degree (HBO) in Business Economics, Accountancy, Controlling, or a related field.
• At least 2 years of experience in a (project) control position, preferably within a complex, project-based environment.
• Affinity with digitalisation, data-driven decision-making, and emerging technologies that make the finance and control profession smarter and more effective.
• Preferably knowledge of SAP and Power BI.

What you'll get in return

Challenging and varied work with a real impact. And plenty of opportunities as, at TNO, you are in charge of shaping your career. We offer a gross monthly salary between € 3,530 and € 4,100 (based on your knowledge and experience), 8% holiday pay, a 13^th month bonus of 8.33% and a flex budget (5.58% + € 180). In addition, you will be given every opportunity to develop yourself.

TNO offers optional employee benefits, enabling you to tailor your benefits package to match your personal situation. You may also expect:

• An extremely professional, innovative working environment where colleagues are leading experts in their field.
• The opportunity to attend courses, workshops and conferences, and to receive training and coaching based on your needs.
• 33 days annual leave plus a flexible holiday that can be used on a cultural, religious, or otherwise important day of your choosing (on a full-time basis).
• An employer working towards a respectful, inclusive, and equitable work environment where every employee can flourish, with various initiatives such as Jong TNO, numerous expertise based guilds, Rainbow Community and Round Tables on diverse inclusion topics.
• We offer a comprehensive and flexible mobility plan that also includes full compensation for public transportation for commuting and business travel.
• Great social events with your team and other TNO colleagues. That’s how you will get to know a lot of people really quickly.
• Flexible working hours, the possibility to work parttime (32 or 36 hours) and the possibility of working from home.
• A good pension scheme.

Read more about tailoring your benefits package.

TNO as an employer

Our people are at the heart of TNO. Their curiosity, expertise and entrepreneurial mindset make it possible to deliver high-impact research and innovations that contribute to society’s sustainable wellbeing and prosperity. That is why we invest in an inspiring and inclusive working environment where colleagues can excel, have autonomy and continue to grow.

Your talent and ambition have every opportunity to flourish at TNO. You work with experts (both within and beyond TNO), have access to advanced technology and the freedom to explore, experiment and innovate. Our strength lies in independence, reliability and collaboration. We find each other in wonder and ingenuity. We are driven to push boundaries. By working with businesses and government, and by connecting different perspectives, we strengthen our innovative capability and create responsible, meaningful results.

At TNO, we believe this is our time to help society, government and business move forward faster. Together with driven colleagues, you turn knowledge into concrete innovations or ventures that truly make a difference by combining the power of science and entrepreneurship. And in doing so, you make your mark on our time.

The selection process

Please apply before the 12th of November, 2026. The selection process comprises two interview rounds.The first interview takes place on the 23rd or 26th of November. The second interview is yet to be planned. In a final meeting we will discuss the terms of employment and your tailored benefits package. We aim to finalize the entire process within four weeks.

The selection process may include an online assessment and a reference check.

A certificate of Conduct (VOG) is required before starting a new job at TNO. For this position a Certificate of No Objection issued by AIVD (the Dutch General Intelligence and Security Service) is also mandatory. This means you will have to undergo a security screening. Read more about security screening.