Business Control and Management Support Group Leader

This is a 4-year appointment, which can be extended for an indefinite duration depending on performance.

Location
EAC, Porz-Wahn, Germany.

Description

The Directorate of Human and Robotic Exploration Programmes (D/HRE) is a programme directorate within the ESA matrix structure. Using a partnership between humans and robots, the Directorate is dedicated to exploring destinations in space where humans are already living and working – or will live and work in the future – for the purpose of scientific research, economic development, international cooperation and public inspiration.

Under the direct authority of the Director of Human and Robotic Exploration Programmes, you, as Business Control and Management Support Group Leader, will fulfil a cross-cutting role within the Directorate by providing management support and being responsible for the Directorate's overall resource planning, controlling and reporting, with the aim of ensuring the coherent, balanced and effective implementation of the Directorate's activities. The Group also provides dedicated support to the Project Managers for management support activities related to project control, configuration and data management, financial and cost control, as well as administration. 

Next to the role as Business Unit Controller, you will act as Senior Financial Controller for the Directorate.

Duties

Your tasks and responsibilities will include:

• providing central programme management support functions, such as maintaining, controlling and consolidating planning for all activities of the Directorate related to financial resources, procurement plans, workforce and schedule;
• providing project control, inventory, logistics, IT, documentation configuration management, financial accounting and administration functions, including support for procurement, contract changes and risk management;
• monitoring activity progress and supporting managers in developing corrective measures to respond to deviations from financial, human resources and procurement planning;  
• establishing and maintaining the programme's financial Long-Term Plan as well as monitoring and controlling project costs at completion;
• performing workforce planning and resource management across the Directorate, including the Directorate's management of human resources framework contracts;
• coordinating the implementation of risk management for all activities of the Directorate, providing the HRE risk coordination function;
• coordinating Directorate activities related to industrial policy and geographical return within the projects of the Directorate, including managing geographical return data in close cooperation with HRE-FP;
• preparing and implementing Directorate-specific management procedures, work instructions and related performance indicators, as well as assisting the Director in the internal organisation of the Directorate;
• in coordination with HRE-X and HRE-FP, performing programmatic tracking and financial monitoring of any formal agreements between HRE and its international partners that have a financial component to ensure the correct and complete financial accounting of the Directorate's operations; liaising with the corporate functions and external audit commission as required;
• supporting the consistency, accuracy and timely closure of the Agency's accounts in accordance with ESA Financial Regulations and ESA policies;
• coordinating the Directorate's accounting of fixed assets as well as supporting audit requests in financial matters;
• implementing and maintaining a comprehensive management information system ("management dashboard') and serving as the point of contact for the Directorate regarding the deployment, utilisation and evolution of corporate information systems;
• coordinating the Directorate's knowledge management and lessons learned activities as well as any activities related to personal data protection;
• coordinating and controlling HRE projects concerning the application of information security requirements in order to ensure HRE's compliance with the ESA Security Directives in cooperation with the ESA Security Office;
• providing guidance on the application of European and international export control regulations in coordination with the Legal Services Department;
• acting as a single interface for ESA's Corporate Finance and Controlling, Workforce Management, Information Technology and Facility Management;
• managing support for the Directorate through the establishment of dedicated service level agreements, including definition, implementation and follow-up;  
• establishing and maintaining common Directorate methods, procedures and tools for resource, schedule, risk and configuration management.  

You will also be responsible for identifying, assessing, managing and reporting the health and safety risks in your area of responsibility.

Technical competencies Programme and project controlling including risk management Budgeting, cost control and resources and activities planning Cost and financial regulatory framework, including accounting standards and auditing Extensive knowledge of controlling-related information systems Understanding of the relevant ESA procurement regulations Knowledge of industrial policy and geo-return reporting 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 a relevant domain is required for this post.

Additional requirements

• extensive record of accomplishments in space-related business control, particularly in financial accounting;
• extensive experience in the operational activity of a programme directorate or similar structure;
• demonstrated ability to foster effective collaboration with technical teams and to manage resources;
• proven experience of leading, motivating and developing a team;
• the ability to provide strategic direction to individuals and teams and to relate team objectives to the overall, evolving organisational goals and context;
• the ability to drive performance and foster cooperation within and across teams throughout the organisation;
• demonstrated excellent leadership, relationship management and communication skills, both oral and written;
• a proven track record of representing the Agency's interests to external interfaces;
• excellent cognitive, analytical, delegation, planning and organisational skills;
• the ability to anticipate problems, solve complex issues and relate situations to their context;
• the ability to reach solution-oriented, pragmatic and timely decisions of a high standard and with integrity as well as to support others (team members, upper management, other stakeholders) in this process.

People management experience is required and international experience would be an asset, including outside your home country, as would experience in diverse functional areas relevant to ESA activities. 
Mobility is inherent to management functions and this position may be subject to rotation. 
Therefore, mobility opportunities may be offered to you as part of your career evolution at ESA, starting after approximately five years in this role.

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, religious beliefs, age, disability or other characteristics. 

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

Important Information and Disclaimer
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. 

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.

---