Business Controller

Job Requisition ID: 19217

Date Posted: 18 December 2024

Application Deadline: 22 January 2025 23:59 CET/CEST

Publication: Internal & External

Type of Contract: Permanent

Directorate: Operations

Workplace: Darmstadt, DE Noordwijk, NL

Grade Band: A2 - A4

Location
ESOC, Darmstadt, Germany or ESTEC, Noordwijk, Netherlands

Description
Business Controller in the Business Unit Control Office, Directorate of Operations.

You will report to the Head of the Cost Centre Control Section and will be responsible for consolidating, maintaining, monitoring and reporting on the Directorate’s business unit resources and activity plans, as well as the associated business management and controlling processes. You will also assist in evolving the landscape of controlling tools.

Fulfilling these responsibilities involves multiple interfaces with ESA Directorates and corporate entities, such as Corporate Control, Finance, Procurement, HR and IT, as well as Project and Business Control and the Directorate Management Team.

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 support and actively evolve the Directorate’s decision-making processes regarding programmatic resource deployment and business management processes.

Duties
Your tasks and responsibilities will include:

• preparing, consolidating, implementing and controlling the Directorate’s
  • cost centre and allocated budgets and financial plans including manpower and service contractor rates;
  • workforce plans (staff and service contractors) and related business data such as D/OPS support to Programme Directorates and associated reporting;
  • third party activities;
  • service level agreements with customers as well as with corporate services such as IT, Facilities Management, Procurement and Legal Services;
• defining and maintaining the Directorate’s cost centre and fund centre structure and managing commitment ceilings relating to cost centres;
• managing end-to-end financial controlling of fixed assets of Operations investment activities, including programmatic activities;
• negotiating with all stakeholders, planning, implementing and controlling the Directorate’s charging policy for the services and facilities;
• supporting the Directorate risk management process;
• the deployment and utilisation of corporate information systems, serving as the Directorate’s point of contact; specifically, coordinating the deployment of the corporate ERP tool (esa-p) and interfacing with the Agency’s service providers for its routine operation and evolution;
• managing the operation and technical evolution of systems and tools for planning and controlling and for management support for use within the Directorate, supporting the effort to harmonise and rationalise legacy systems and processes as appropriate and in view of ESA’s transformation work;
• supporting the Head of the Cost Centre Control Section and the Senior Financial Controller.

Technical competencies
Good understanding of cost and financial regulatory frameworks, including accounting standards and auditing techniques

Strong analytical and reporting skills

Expert knowledge of Microsoft Excel and ERP systems

Negotiation skills

Budgeting, cost control and resource and activities planning

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

For more information, please refer to ESA Core Behavioural Competencies guidebook

Education
A master's degree in engineering or business administration is required for this post.

Additional requirements
Experience in cost controlling, budgeting and pricing is required.
Knowledge of database structures and design is an asset
Experience of managing fixed assets is an asset.

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, beliefs, age, disability or other characteristics. Applications from women are encouraged.

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
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.

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.

Note that ESA is in the process of transitioning to a Matrix setup, which could lead to organisational changes affecting this position.

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 can only be 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*.

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.

*Member States, Associate Members or Cooperating States.

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