Business Controller

Business Controller at ESA

Description

Business Controller, reporting to the Head of the Resource Management & Control Office in the Management Support Office, Directorate of Technology, Engineering & Quality (D/TEC).

Reporting directly to the Head of the Resource Management & Control Office, you will play a key role in ensuring the smooth operation of the Directorate and the efficient management of its resources. Supporting the Directorate’s decision making regarding programmatic, resource deployment and business management processes.

In carrying out your responsibilities, you will work closely with a committed team of controllers, administrators interfacing with the TEC Management team and the Management Support Office. In addition, the role also involves multiple external interfaces with other ESA Directorates and corporate entities, such as Corporate Control, Finance, Procurement, Human Resource, Workforce Management and IT, as well as interfaces with Industry.

Duties

Your tasks and responsibilities will include the following:

• develop, consolidate and maintain the Directorate's workforce resources;
• consolidate and maintain of the Directorate's workforce plan;
• coordinate the TEC functional support planning cycle;
• manage the Directorate’s workforce time recording and recharging of competence provision, including definition and implementation of the Directorate’s charging policy;
• drive the evolution of workforce/workload related IT systems;
• enable mid-year corporate planning cycles, financial closures and annual reporting exercises;
• prepare internal and external reports, including Key Business Performance Indicators (KPIs), geographical return data and risk reports;
• participate in audits and respond to requests from internal and external stakeholders;
• implement the management of manpower frame contracts, SLAs, service contracts and procurement activities within the Directorate;
• contribute to the Directorate’s risk management process;
• facilitate the Directorate’s asset coordination, overseeing compliance, inventory control and IPSAS-aligned asset reporting;
• contribute to data quality reviews and the improvement of financial and management processes and tools;
• serve as an interface with ESA corporate functions (Finance, HR, IT, Corporate Control);
• participate in working groups and boards as an expert, representing Directorate interests;
• provide the Directorate’s management team with business planning insights;
• ensure integrity and coherence of resource data, bookings and compliance with ESA policies, accounting standards and IPSAS rules;
• ensure compliance with ESA regulations, GDPR, ethics policies and alignment with ESA Core Values.

Duties may also include supporting other activities within the post holder’s field of competence.

Technical competencies

• General background and specific experience in the technical domains covered by the position
• Skills in resource planning (specifically workforce and workload), monitoring and control processes and techniques
• Understanding of the relevant procurement regulations and financial regulatory framework
• Insight in negotiation, diplomacy and stakeholder management
• Understanding of procurement and contract management
• Experience with business process management
• Experience with handling sensitive information

Behavioural competencies

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

Education

A master's degree in business administration or an equivalent field is required.

Additional requirements

• a solid working background in the disciplines related to the above-mentioned tasks would be a distinct asset;
• excellent interpersonal and communication skills, enabling you to work both independently and collaboratively within a diverse international team and within a matrix organisation;
• the ability to define and implement solutions that align with team and individual objectives and project deadlines;
• solid proficiency in IT tools, specifically knowledge of controlling tools (e.g. SAP) and skills in data analysis and reporting tools (e.g. Excel advanced functions, Power BI);
• strong analytical, organisational and reporting skills, alongside a proactive problem-solving attitude and result-oriented mindset;
• a strong sense of discretion;
• relationship management and stakeholder engagement skills, including conflict resolution;
• mediation and negotiation abilities in multi-stakeholder environments;
• experience in resource management, including controlling, allocation, planning and optimisation, is considered a valuable 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 contact.human.resources@esa.int.

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.

Applicants must be eligible to access information, technology, and hardware which is subject to European or US export control and sanctions regulations.

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 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, Latvia, Lithuania and Slovakia.

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.