Business Controller

Vacancy in the Directorate of Navigation.

ESA is an equal opportunity employer, committed to achieving diversity within the workforce and creating an inclusive working environment. We therefore welcome applications from all qualified candidates irrespective of gender, sexual orientation, ethnicity, beliefs, age, disability or other characteristics. Applications from women are encouraged.

This post is classified A2-A4 on the Coordinated Organisations’ salary scale .

Location
ESTEC, Noordwijk, Netherlands  

Business Controller, Programme Management Support Office, Directorate of Navigation. 

Under the direct authority of the Head of the Programme Management Support Office, you will be responsible for consolidating, maintaining, monitoring and reporting on the Directorate’s business unit resources and activity plans for the short, medium and long term, as well as for associated business management and controlling processes.
Fulfilling these responsibilities involves multiple interfaces with ESA corporate entities (Corporate Control, Finance, Procurement, HR and IT), project and business control, Directorate management, delegate bodies and representatives of other funding parties.

As Business Controller, you will hold key responsibilities in supporting the Directorate’s management in preparing and maintaining sound activity business plans while optimising resources. You will be supporting the Directorate’s decision-making processes regarding programmatic resource deployment and business management processes.

Your tasks and responsibilities will include:

• consolidating and maintaining Directorate resources (financial and workforce) and activity plans for the short, medium and long term, including commitment, cost, cash, workforce and procurement plans; 
• supporting the definition and implementation of measures to correct deviations from plans; 
• supporting Corporate Control and Finance with Directorate financial data (planning or actual), such as the long-term financial plan; 
• supporting the preparation, maintenance, monitoring and forecasting of geographical return information for the Directorate;
• supporting Directorate risk management processes; 
• supporting the preparation and maintenance of the Directorate- and programme-level internal and external reporting, including on key business performance indicators; 
• supporting HR with staffing plan data; 
• defining, maintaining, coordinating and monitoring Directorate management and controlling processes and their implementation in corporate systems; 
• supporting Directorate interfaces with delegate bodies, Corporate Control, Finance, HR and IT corporate functions, including participation in ad hoc working groups;
• preparing and monitoring the payment requests and liquidity position for the Directorate’s Third Parties Programmes in close coordination with ESA Finance;
• supporting financial audits;
• performing management support and controlling tasks related to the business unit.
  

Cost control and resources and activities planning

Strong business analysis and reporting skills

Cost and financial regulatory framework, including accounting standards and techniques

Expert knowledge of ERP systems and corporate IT systems (incl. reporting)

Performance measurement and management

Understanding of the relevant ESA or EU procurement regulations

Risk management

Result Orientation
Operational Efficiency
Fostering Cooperation
Relationship Management
Continuous Improvement
Forward Thinking

A master’s degree in business administration, corporate finance and accounting, economics or engineering is required for this post.

You have previous professional experience as a controller of a project or programme, preferably at agency or industry level. 

The following criteria would be considered assets:

• experience in another function in finance, controlling and auditing;
• experience in project management;
• experience in change management; 
• knowledge and/or understanding of space systems architecture.

Other information

For behavioural competencies expected from ESA staff in general, please refer to the ESA Competency Framework .

For further information please visit: Professionals ,What we offer  and FAQ    

The working languages of the Agency are English and French. A good knowledge of one of these is required. Knowledge of another Member State language would be an asset.     

The Agency may require applicants to undergo selection tests.

Applicants must be eligible for security clearance by their national security administrations.

At the Agency we value diversity and we welcome people with disabilities.  Whenever possible, we seek to accommodate individuals with disabilities by providing the necessary support at the workplace.  The Human Resources Department can also provide assistance during the recruitment process. If you would like to discuss this further please contact us email [email protected] .

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Please note that applications are only considered from nationals of one of the following States: Austria, Belgium, the Czech Republic, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Ireland, Italy, Luxembourg, the Netherlands, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Romania, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, the United Kingdom and Canada, Latvia, Lithuania, Slovakia and Slovenia.

According to the ESA Convention, the recruitment of staff must take into account an adequate distribution of posts among nationals of the ESA Member States*. When short-listing for an interview, priority will first be given to internal candidates and secondly to external candidates from under-represented Member States *.  

In accordance with the European Space Agency’s security procedures and as part of the selection process, successful candidates will be required to undergo basic screening before appointment conducted by an external background screening service. 

In principle, recruitment will be within the advertised grade band (A2-A4). However, if the selected candidate has less than four years of relevant professional experience following the completion of the master’s degree, the position may be filled at A1 level. 

*Member States, Associate Members or Cooperating States.