This job opening is for the purposes of Reserve list recruitment on multiple positions.
ESA is initiating a Reserve list recruitment process to meet the consistently high demand for Business Controllers in support of the Agency’s cutting-edge space projects and programmes. This Reserve list will comprise of candidates who have been pre-assessed and pre-approved by the ESA hiring team and who have already undergone a basic background screening. If selected, you will remain on the Reserve list for a period of 24 months, during which you will be fast-tracked for positions in upcoming projects. While inclusion in the Reserve list does not guarantee recruitment, it positions you as a valuable resource to fill ESA's future vacancies. When a relevant position arises, your candidacy will be reviewed. In that context, you may be invited to a brief follow-up interview and, if successful, an offer will be made. No action is required on your part if you are placed on a Reserve list; ESA will contact you directly about relevant opportunities.
Location
Noordwijk, Cologne, Darmstadt, Frascati, Harwell, Paris, Redu, Villanueva de la Cañada (Madrid)
Within the Directorate’s Business Unit Controlling Office, you, as Business Controller, will join a team of controllers in one of the Office’s sections, providing management support services across a range of operational units.
Each Business Controller also supports the continuous improvement of controlling and management support processes, digitalisation, management reporting including dashboards, transparency, efficiency, cooperation and knowledge-sharing.
You will interface with multiple entities within and outside ESA and will play a key role in supporting managers in strategic and programmatic decision-making. You will cooperate closely with managers implementing projects and/or activities and will directly interface with ESA corporate services, as well as with industrial contractors.
Your tasks as Business Controller may include:
- leading the consolidation and maintenance of the Directorate’s resources and activity plans for the short, medium and long term, including reports on commitments, costs, cash, workforce, risk and geographical return;
- formally interfacing with internal and external stakeholders (including the European Commission and Member States) on matters under your responsibility, providing information, preparing formal reports and documents, and negotiating agreements;
- performing the Directorate’s workload planning cycle and supporting the preparation of the workforce plans and verification of Service Level Agreements across directorates;
- managing or coordinating external workforce framework contracts;
- performing management support and controlling tasks related to the business unit, for example by identifying deviations from plans, implementing mitigation actions and supporting risk management processes;
- implementing the financial planning and monitoring of the Directorate’s analysis centres and controlling the workforce rates;
- defining, maintaining and monitoring the Directorate’s management and controlling processes, ensuring correct implementation in corporate systems, and supporting the evolution of corporate IT solutions;
- leading the financial mid-year and end-of-year accounting closure, including coordination with the relevant stakeholders and completion of the related reporting;
- acting as the Directorate’s coordinator for fixed assets and inventory management;
- ensuring compliance with budgetary provisions and financial regulations and advising on best control practices, methods, processes and procedures;
- supporting financial audits;
- managing the charging policy for the Directorate’s services, its programme, project and cost centre structure, its funds and commitment ceilings, its cost at completion and the associated reporting;
- ensuring operational excellence and driving continuous improvement in your areas of responsibility.
Knowledge of or experience in budgeting, cost control and resource and activity planning
Knowledge of or experience in business analysis, digital tools and reporting
Knowledge of or experience in schedule management
Knowledge of or experience in risk management
Knowledge of or experience in SAP-based ERP systems
Knowledge of or experience in business process improvement and business change management
Knowledge of or experience in fixed assets and inventory management
Knowledge of or experience in financial regulatory frameworks, including accounting standards and auditing techniques
Knowledge of or experience in ESA/EU procurement regulations
Result Orientation
Operational Efficiency
Fostering Cooperation
Relationship Management
Continuous Improvement
Forward Thinking
For more information, please refer to ESA Core Behavioural Competencies guidebook
Education and professional experience
A master's degree in a relevant discipline is required for this post along with four years of relevant professional experience.
- Professional experience as a controller, preferably at agency or industry level, is would be a distinct asset;
- Knowledge and/or understanding of space systems architecture will would be considered an asset;
- You must also have substantial experience in applying project management and risk management principles along with advanced business/project control techniques, as well as in preparing, negotiating and implementing major industrial procurements. Experience with European Commission projects will would be considered asto bringing added value;
- Advanced knowledge of computer systems and information/planning/coordination tools (such ase.g. esa-p, Microsoft Excel and Microsoft Project) is essential. Familiarity with modern dashboard and risk management tools will would be considered an asset;
- You should be able to work autonomously, effectively and cooperatively in a diverse and international team environment and be able to define and implement solutions in line with team and individual objectives and deadlines. You should possess strong written and oral communication skills, and be rigorous and disciplined when working on demanding tasks. You should have good analytical, organisational and reporting skills, with a proactive attitude to problem-solving.
Diversity, Equity and Inclusiveness
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, religious beliefs, age, disability or other characteristics.
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 via email at
[email protected].
Important Information and Disclaimer
During the recruitment process, the Agency may request applicants to undergo selection tests. Additionally, successful candidates will need to undergo basic screening before appointment, which will be conducted by an external background screening service, in compliance with the European Space Agency's security procedures.
The information published on ESA’s careers website regarding working conditions is correct at the time of publication. It is not intended to be exhaustive and may not address all questions you would have.
Nationality and Languages
Please note that applications are only considered from nationals of one of the following States: Austria, Belgium, Czechia, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Ireland, Italy, Luxembourg, the Netherlands, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Romania, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, the United Kingdom and Canada, Cyprus, Latvia, Lithuania and Slovakia.
According to the ESA Convention, staff shall be recruited on the basis of their qualifications, taking into account an adequate distribution of posts among nationals of the Member States.
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.
