Project Controller RE & FC
Within Real Estate & Facility Contracting (RE&FC), KLM is undertaking one of the largest and most strategic real estate transitions in its history. This includes a number of interconnected projects, such as the construction of the new Cargo Terminal and catering facility, and the development of new offices—all driven by the relocation agreement with Schiphol. At the same time, RE&FC is increasingly moving from being a user of real estate to becoming an owner or tenant, with a significant impact on our balance sheet and cash flows.
As Project Controller for RE&FC, you’ll be at the heart of this dynamic, helping steer the way forward. You’ll act as a strategic business partner, financial conscience and guardian of processes, with direct exposure to KLM’s senior management and external stakeholders, including investors, project developers and government authorities. Your decisions and advice can influence public opinion.
RE&FC is part of Finance and has its own Controlling team, which is set to play an increasingly strategic role as the business grows its position as a real estate owner and increasingly as a tenant. The Project Controller role calls for an entrepreneurial mindset, strong planning and organisational skills, and the ability to focus on both short- and long-term goals.
What will you do?
As part of RE&FC’s multidisciplinary team, you’ll ensure strong programme governance, transparency and financial stability in a dynamic environment. You’ll bridge the gap between strategic decision-making and complex financial matters with ease. As a key connector, you’ll bring competing interests together and manage interdependencies across the programme.
Challenger and strategic adviser: You’ll provide both requested and unsolicited advice to project managers and executives. You’ll challenge assumptions, identify operational and financial risks at an early stage, and help realise synergies across the various sub-programmes;
Moving between the big picture and the detail: One moment, you’ll be presenting a strategic scenario to senior management; the next, you’ll be discussing specific contract terms, dependencies and detailed schedules with project leads;
Financial depth and decision-making: You’ll develop, validate and monitor dynamic business cases and integrated financial models. Your analyses, cash flow forecasts and risk models will provide the foundation for investment decisions worth hundreds of millions of euros;
Building strong stakeholder relationships: You’ll navigate a complex political and commercial landscape with confidence. You’ll work directly with internal stakeholders and act as a strong counterpart to external parties.
- Oversee interfaces, synergies and interdependencies between the Cargo Flat and other office developments.
- Design, streamline and maintain robust programme governance, including consistent reporting structures, milestones and risk processes.
- Prepare investment proposals and programme budgets, monitor their financial progress, and deliver detailed variance analyses and scenario assessments.
- Proactively identify operational and financial issues across projects and initiate corrective action.
- Manage financial risks as part of the programme’s risk management process: identify risks and take appropriate steps to report or reduce them.
- Proactively manage internal stakeholders—including project leads, the RE&FC team and KLM senior management—and external stakeholders, such as Schiphol, developers, financiers and government authorities. Provide advice to project managers and the programme manager, both when asked and on your own initiative.
Where do you land?
Your base will be Schiphol-Oost, but you’ll also spend plenty of time at Schiphol Centrum and Zuid-Oost. You’ll help shape the transformation from old to new and see it take place. Within RE&FC, you’ll work closely with your fellow management team members, Strategy & Support, Finance teams and subject-matter experts in areas such as safety, sustainability and area development.
RE&FC is undergoing significant development. In the years ahead, there will be a strong focus on both team development and your individual growth. We believe in practising what we preach when it comes to new ways of working, so working from home is also an option.
Your profile
- Higher professional education (HBO+) level of working and thinking, with at least a completed Bachelor’s degree in Finance or a real-estate-related field;
- At least six years’ experience in a relevant environment;
- Experience working on projects;
- Knowledge of and experience using and configuring project administration software;
- Proficiency in Microsoft Office, SharePoint and Power BI, and in working with large datasets for financial modelling;
- Experience working in complex and changing environments;
- Fluency in Dutch is required.
Key competencies
- Critical thinking
- Creating structure
- Building and maintaining relationships
- Problem analysis
- Delivering results
- Teamwork
Explore the perks of working with us
More benefits
Plenty of room for personal development and great career opportunities
An excellent pension scheme and 8% holiday pay
Depending on your position: an end-of-year bonus or a variable income
A profit sharing scheme
What do we offer
- A challenging role with a unique employer in the Netherlandss;
- A gross monthly salary between € 5700 and € 8200;
- Plenty of room for personal development and great advancement opportunities;
- A good pension scheme;
- 8% holiday allowance;
- A variable income that can go up to a maximum of 16%;
- A profit-sharing scheme, up to 20%;
- 25 days of paid holiday and 5 additional days off;
- Great discounts on airline tickets (after at least 6 months of employment);
- A sustainable transport policy - use all public transport for your commute within the Netherlands, free of charge;
- If your job allows: working from home and up to 8 weeks working abroad (within the EU and Caribbean);
- Discount of your health insurance;
- A personal budget for sustainable employability.
During the busy period last year I helped in the operation. The passion and knowledge of colleagues there is really nice to see!
Ready for your next destination?
Don’t wait any longer and apply for this function before the final boarding call on 10/19/2026! A motivation letter is no longer required; we will simply ask you a couple of questions during your online application. The selection process consists of two interviews and a security screening. Candidates who are positively selected for the first interview will receive an email allowing them to choose a suitable time slot themselves. This keeps the process fast and clear, and puts you in control of your schedule. You'll hear from us within two weeks after the vacancy closes.Through your personal candidate profile, you can log in at any time. There you'll find the vacancy you applied for - even after it has closed - as well as a clear dashboard with any other ongoing applications within KLM, including status updates.Do you have the drive to grow further in this role? Then we look forward to your application. Within two weeks, you will receive a message from us. A reference check can be part of the application procedure.
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Ask your Questions
If you have any questions regarding this vacancy, contact our recruiter Ginette or hiring manager Martin!This job has the following ID number: 21240