Business Controller

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

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.

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 contact.human.resources@esa.int.

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.