Project Controller

Join ESA as a Project Controller

Project Controller in the Project Control and Management Support Office (PMSO) of the Projects Department (EOP-P), Earth Observation Business Unit Controlling Office (EOP-B), Directorate of Earth Observation Programmes.

As a Project Controller within the Earth Observation Business Unit controlling Office of the Directorate of Earth Observation, you will join the Project Control and Management Support Office Team. In this role, you will be responsible for project control activities supporting the Space Segment Projects Department (EOP-P).

You will report to the Head of the assigned Programme Control Section for the PMSO of the Projects Department, while functionally supporting the Project Manager(s) of the assigned project(s).

Your primary duties will include overseeing cost, schedule and risk management for space segment development activities. You will provide essential support to project teams in managing their interfaces with international partners as well as with ESA’s internal entities. This requires a thorough understanding of programmatic needs and an ability to deliver insightful analysis to support decision-making.

A key aspect of your role will be the preparation and monitoring of complex procurements, ensuring smooth progress from tendering to contract closure. This will involve extensive collaboration and negotiations with industrial partners and internal stakeholders. Your responsibilities will also include ensuring compliance with contractual obligations and monitoring progress to achieve project objectives efficiently and effectively. Through your contributions, you will play a critical role in enabling the success of space segment development activities, thereby contributing to ESA’s strategic goals.

Duties

Your tasks and responsibilities will include:

• preparing, developing and maintaining the overall programmatic aspects of the projects and missions, including the space segment, payload, launch, ground segment and Agency-provided services. The programmatic aspects include costs, finance, schedules, logistics, configuration, documentation, progress monitoring and geographical return, as well as general project administration. For these tasks, active monitoring is expected so that you can identify and report trends, deviations from plans and potential problem areas, and propose/implement remedial actions in coordination with the Project Manager(s). Compliance with budgetary provisions and financial regulations is also expected;
• implementing and operating planning and control procedures to provide full visibility over progress in all activities, using established procedures and information systems; this includes maintaining ESA’s ERP system for project-related data;
• assisting in the preparation of tender documents with respect to cost, management and schedule/planning requirements, and participating in the evaluation of proposals;
• preparing the information required for subsequent contract negotiations and participating in all tasks related to the placing of contracts, including negotiations with industry;
• implementing risk management procedures as part of the Agency-wide risk management policy, and identifying potential problem areas in those procedures, proposing mitigation actions and preparing risk reports as required;
• ensuring compliance with specific rules and regulations for financial management, audits, reporting and control;
• coordinating, with the assistance of dedicated schedule engineering support, the scheduling of the projects under your responsibility, and tracking potential implications for costs, risks, delivery dates and internal resources;
• helping organise project reviews and participating in reviews in the areas relevant to your project control-related responsibilities;
• supporting the closure of industrial contracts and the financial year closure exercise;
• supporting inventory control and asset management for the assigned projects;
• participating in the establishment and maintenance of the Directorate’s project control procedures and computerised information systems;
• supporting the Project Control Team Leader and Senior Financial Controller in the performance of their duties.

Technical competencies

• Understanding of the relevant procurement regulations and financial regulatory framework
• Understanding of the financial regulatory framework, financial accounting and auditing techniques
• Understanding of space system architectures
• Project management and risk management
• Cost control and planning of resources and activities
• Strong analytical and reporting skills

Behavioural competencies

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

Education

A master's degree in a relevant domain is required for this post.

Additional requirements

You must have previous professional experience as a controller in a project or programme, preferably in industry or at an agency. Substantial experience is essential in the application of project management and project control principles and advanced project control techniques, as well as in the preparation, negotiation and implementation of major industrial procurements. Engineering experience in a project or programme would be considered an asset.

You should have a solid working background in the disciplines related to the tasks described, including cost control, resource and activity planning, project management, risk management and procurement regulations. Good knowledge and/or understanding of the financial regulatory framework, financial accounting and auditing techniques, as well as space system architectures, would be considered 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 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 & eligible to acquire the security clearance by their national security administrations.

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.

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.