Purpose & Overall Relevance for the Organization
This Senior Director role leads the Controlling function responsible for managing costs across PEX, Marketing Expenditures (MAEX), Tech, Supply Chain, Workplaces, back-office overheads, and COSV. The role drives disciplined planning, transparent reporting, and cost productivity to support profitable growth while serving as a strategic business partner to functional and finance leaders on the NAM Finance leadership team.
The role leads a team of 15–20 people responsible for aligning stakeholders on spending priorities, challenging investment decisions, and presenting clear, actionable recommendations.
Key Responsibilities
- Lead NAM cost controlling across PEX, Marketing Expenditures (MAEX), Supply Chain, Workplaces, T&E, Tech, and COSV.
- Own the consolidated spending view and ensure accurate, timely, and transparent reporting with clear accountability for budget owners.
- Lead annual budgeting, rolling forecasts, and long-range cost planning, aligning spending assumptions with workforce and FTE plans, marketing commitments, technology investments, and business priorities.
- Establish cost targets, spending guardrails, and regular performance reviews with functional leaders; constructively challenge spending proposals and agree corrective actions.
- Present decision-ready financial narratives to senior leadership, translating analysis into spending drivers, risks, opportunities, investment trade-offs, and recommended actions.
- Partner with budget owners and other finance leaders on cost governance, investment business cases, approval discipline, commitment tracking, and post-investment reviews.
- Build trusted relationships across NAM and global functions and lead cross-functional cost productivity and reinvestment programs.
- Lead process and reporting transformation across Finance, Non-Trade Purchasing, and business functions.
- Set and execute an AI and automation roadmap for cost controlling, including variance analysis, forecasting support, spend anomaly detection, and management commentary.
- Partner with technology and data teams to pilot and scale approved solutions while ensuring data confidentiality, reliable outputs, and human accountability.
- Lead and develop a high-performing Controlling team through coaching, succession planning, and continuous improvement.
Knowledge, Skills and Abilities
- Deep expertise in finance, accounting, controlling, and FP&A, with strong command of cost drivers and governance.
- Experience leading budgeting, cost consolidation, driver-based forecasting, and large-scale savings and reinvestment programs.
- Proficiency in financial planning and front-end reporting tools.
- Experience leading team transformations using approved generative AI and analytics tools for financial analysis, scenario development, and executive communication.
- Exceptional stakeholder management and executive presence.
- Excellent presentation and financial storytelling skills.
- Strong management and coaching skills, including experience leading multicultural teams.
- Innovative, action-oriented, solution-minded team player.
Requisite Education and Experience / Minimum Qualifications
- Proven experience leading cost controlling or FP&A with significant budget accountability and senior stakeholder partnership.
- Advanced degree or qualification in Business, Finance, Accounting, or Economics.
- 10–12 years of broad-based Finance and cross-functional experience with progressive responsibility.
- 5–10 years of management experience.
- Demonstrated experience leading finance process improvement and adoption of digital, automation, or AI-enabled solutions with measurable benefits and appropriate governance.
Work Policy and Location
This is a hybrid role based in Portland, Oregon. Attendance in the office is required Monday through Thursday, with flexibility to work remotely on Friday. In-office attendance may also be required on Fridays for highly collaborative work or in-person presentations.
Benefits and Inclusion
adidas offers medical, dental, vision, prescription drug, adoption, surrogate and fertility support, disability, life and AD&D insurance, 401(k) and Stock Purchase Plan options with employer match, education assistance, paid parental leave, flexible time off, paid holidays, Service Time Off, and an annual bonus opportunity.
adidas celebrates diversity, supports inclusiveness, encourages individual expression, and provides reasonable accommodations throughout the recruitment process. adidas is an Equal Opportunity Employer.