Description

IRIS^2 Project Control and Management Support Team Leader in the Project Control and Management Support Section within the Business Planning, Management Support and Coordination Office in the Directorate of Connectivity and Secure Communications (D/CSC).

The Directorate of Connectivity and Secure Communications supports innovation to boost the competitiveness of European industry in the global space market. IRIS^2 (Infrastructure for Resilience, Interconnectivity and Security by Satellite) will constitute a new space-based pillar for a digital, resilient and safer Europe and will foster European competitiveness and societal progress. With the development of a state-of-the-art connectivity system with a constellation of telecommunication satellites, Europe will offer enhanced communication capacities to governmental and business users alike. The system will support a large variety of governmental applications, mainly in the domains of surveillance (e.g. border surveillance), crisis management (e.g. humanitarian aid) and connection and protection of key infrastructures (e.g. secure communications for EU embassies).

The Project Control and Management Support Section provides project control and management support services to all operational units in the Directorate as part of the D/CSC internal matrix. Each Project Controller also supports the professional development of the Section through continued improvements in respect of controlling and management support processes, digitalisation, management reports including dashboards, transparency, efficiency, cooperation and knowledge-sharing. Your initial assignment will be to functionally support the ESA Secure Connectivity Programme and lead a team providing full Project Management Support Office services to the Programme.

If selected for this position, you will report hierarchically to the Head of the Project Control and Management Support Section and will work functionally with identified managers implementing programmes or projects and interface directly with Finance and Procurement, counterparts at the European Commission, and industrial contractors for all matters in their domains of activity.

The IRIS^2 Project Control and Management Support Team Leader holds key responsibilities in the preparation, procurement and monitoring of complex procurements, from tendering to the closure of contracts, and in management, financial and planning aspects. You will have multiple interfaces within and outside ESA, including negotiations with industrial contractors, and will play a key role in supporting Programme Managers in their programmatic decision-making.

Duties

Typical project control duties and activities include:
• preparing, developing and maintaining the overall programmatic aspects of the project, missions and activities. The programmatic aspects include cost, financial matters, work breakdown structure, schedule, logistics, configuration, risk, documentation, progress control and geographical return, as well as general project administration;
• implementing and operating planning and control procedures to provide full visibility on the progress of all activities using established procedures and information systems; this includes maintenance in the ESA ERP system of project-related data;
• active monitoring and forecasting (forward thinking), identifying and reporting trends, deviations from plans, potential problem areas and proposing remedial actions in coordination with the Project Manager while ensuring compliance with budgetary provisions and financial regulations;
• assisting with the preparation of tender documents with respect to cost, management and schedule/planning requirements and participating in the evaluation of proposals; preparing information required for subsequent contract negotiations and participating in all tasks relating to the placing of contracts, including negotiations with industry;
• supporting the closure of industrial contracts and the financial year closure exercise;
• implementing, within the framework of the Agency-wide risk management policy, risk management procedures and identifying potential problem areas therein, proposing mitigation actions and preparing risk reports as required;
• supporting the organisation of project reviews and participating in reviews in your areas of responsibility in respect of project control;
• providing inputs for periodic reporting to project management and the Business Unit Controller;
• functional responsibility for the ESA IRIS^2 Project Management Support Office.

Specific duties include:
• preparing financial and programmatic reporting to the European Commission;
• preparing and maintaining cost plans covering industrial and operating (including workforce-related) costs, ensuring solid aggregation of cross-cutting areas such as Generic and Strategic Programme Lines;
• advising the D/CSC Programme Manager and external ESA partners, including industry, on project control best practices, methods, processes and procedures;
• participating in the definition, maintenance and improvement of project control procedures and controlling systems, including digitalisation;
• supporting the Head of the Project Control and Management Support Section and Senior Financial Controller in the execution of their duties;
• supporting the preparation of Adjudication Committee (AC) and IPC papers, as well as Programme Board status reports, and assisting in the preparation of work plans.

Technical competencies

Behavioural competencies

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

Education

A master’s degree in engineering or business administration is required for this position.

Additional requirements

You should have at least ten years of professional experience as a programme or project controller, preferably within an agency, the European Commission or industry. Additional experience in another function in finance, controlling and auditing will be considered a (key) asset. Some knowledge and/or understanding of space systems architecture and/or security-related projects will also be considered an asset.

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 will be considered an asset. Experience with European Commission projects will be considered to bring added value.

Knowledge of computer systems and information, planning and coordination tools, such as esa-p, Microsoft Excel and Microsoft Project, is essential. Familiarity with modern dashboard tools will be considered an asset.

You should be able to work autonomously, effectively and cooperatively in a diverse and international team environment and have the ability to define and implement solutions in line with team and individual objectives and deadlines.

You should, in addition, have:
• the potential to manage individuals or a team;
• the ability to organise individual and team activities and ensure a motivating work environment;
• strong leadership capabilities, with proven relationship management and communication skills;
• the ability to drive your team’s performance, developing your people by encouraging learning, delegating responsibility and giving regular and constructive feedback;
• strong problem-solving skills to deal with day-to-day operational challenges, together with demonstrated planning and organisational skills;
• a strong result orientation with the ability to set priorities and present practical solutions both orally and in writing;
• the ability to manage challenging situations proactively and constructively and to be customer-focused.

People management experience is an asset, as is international experience, i.e. outside your home country, as well as experience in diverse functional areas relevant to ESA activities.