Project Controller

Description

The Operating Planning and Business Unit Controlling Office provides management support to the Directorate of Space Transportation (STS) and is responsible for the Directorate’s overall human and financial resources planning, monitoring and reporting as well as for coordinating its information systems activities and plans.

The team provides project control support to all Space Transportation projects and activities and fulfils Directorate-level roles such as financial planning and consolidation, risk management, reporting to management and to Member State committees and boards.

Reporting to the Head of the Flight Programmes Project Control Service, if selected for this position you will hold key responsibilities in the preparation, procurement and monitoring of complex procurements, from tendering to the closure of contracts, and for management, financial and planning aspects. You will have multiple interfaces within and outside ESA, including negotiations with industrial contractors, and you will play a key role in supporting the Project Manager(s) in their programmatic decision-making.
 

Duties

You will be responsible for:

•    Preparing and updating plans (in-year, multi-year, at-completion) covering industrial and operating costs (including workforce-related costs) consistent with schedule and ensuring solid aggregation of cross-cutting area;
•    Monitoring and forecasting of deviations from plans, providing explanations and proposing corrective actions. Supporting project and department-level team meetings;
•    Preparing, developing and maintaining the overall programmatic aspects on financial matters: defining the project control work breakdown structure and maintaining the related master data in alignment with the organisation; performing tasks assigned to project controllers in ESA ERP for assigned projects; maintaining up-to-date planning; ensuring compliance with budgetary provisions and financial regulations; monitoring industrial return by providing data and supporting related analyses; and maintaining general project administration;
•    Providing support for proposal evaluation and negotiations with industry. Monitoring assigned contracts and ensuring company compliance with established formal requirements for management, costs, schedule, risks, industrial return and reporting, including deviations from plans and trends;
•    Preparing and updating the financial/workforce part of project plans, support project reviews and preparing and/or supporting ad hoc analyses;
•    Supporting the preparation of Programme Board status reports: reporting on schedule, preparing and validating with the project manager’s inputs for concise text reporting;
•    Supporting the preparation of Adjudication Committee and Industrial Policy Committee papers;
•    Supporting the Programme Closure exercise;
•    Supporting Risk Management at project level, within the framework of the Agency-wide risk management policy and Directorate risk management procedures;
•    Supporting Asset Management at project level;
•    Participating in the establishment and maintenance of the Directorate’s project control procedures and computerised information systems;
•    Supporting the Head of the Flight Programmes Project Control Service and the Senior Financial Controller in the performance of their duties.
 

Technical competencies

Behavioural competencies

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

Education

A Master’s degree in Business Administration or Engineering is required for this post.

Additional requirements

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

Substantial experience is essential in the application of project control principles and advanced project control techniques, as well as in the preparation, negotiation, and implementation of major industrial procurements. 

Experience in another function in finance, controlling and auditing will be considered an asset.

Some knowledge and/or understanding of space systems architecture will also be considered an asset.

Knowledge of computer systems and information/planning/coordination tools (e.g. esa-p, Microsoft Excel and Microsoft Project) is essential. Familiarity with modern dashboard tools will be considered an asset.

You should be able to work autonomously, effectively and cooperatively.

You should also 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 also have good analytical, organisational, and reporting skills, with a proactive attitude to problem-solving.