About this job

Serco is a leading Space Services Provider with thousands of skilled resources that has supported over 50 space missions on behalf of more than 10 Space or Government agencies around the globe, including the ESA and NASA.

Serco has made significant contributions at ESA’s European Space Research and Technology Centre (ESTEC) in the Netherlands, supporting a wide range of space missions and projects. Serco has provided essential engineering, technical, and management services, playing a key role in logistics and operational support for missions. Serco’s expertise in spacecraft management, ground systems and data processing has earned them recognition, including ‘Best in Domain’ awards from ESA. Their long-standing partnership with ESA reflects their commitment to excellence and innovation in the space sector.

On behalf of our client, the European Space Agency, we are looking for a skilled Assistant Controller to join our team at the esteemed ESA-ESTEC site, in the Netherlands. Our mission is to cover provision of support to the Programmes and Projects. Depending on the size of the programmes / projects and the organisation of the ESA responsible entity, the activity may cover one of several programmes/projects. This may include different categories of ESA programmes/projects in relation to the nature of the corresponding activities, such as space programmes/projects, study and R&D activity programmes, EC projects and activities, etc.

Responsibilities

As an Assistant Controller you will concentrate your activities on the following:

• Support to the processes related to the main resources of the organizational entity (i.e. budgets, manpower, staffing), including planning, execution and follow-up of the activities and resources (budgets, manpower, missions, recharges) of the Business Unit.
• Support to the planning, preparation, execution and follow-up of activities and related procurement actions as relevant managed by the Business Unit and of associated progress in terms of output / schedule / resources.
• Assessment and monitoring of the status of the procurement actions (using ESA Corporate and local IT Tools) including activity progress, maintenance of payment plans, correctness of financial charging, invoicing and payment.
• Implementing all administrative actions related to procurement and contractual matters, including data entry in ESA Corporate (e.g. SAP) and local application as appropriate and monitoring of financial commitments and payment milestones, invoicing, etc.
• Maintaining up to date the related data, performing data analysis, identifying deviations w.r.t. plans/targets and production of associated reports to the responsible management and to the concerned customers.
• Assisting in the definition, preparation, implementation and maintenance of management support tools to ensure efficient execution of the related tasks.
• Liaison with Contract, Budget and Payment Officers to ensure the coherence of the internal and external administrative data.
• Contribution to the definition of new and improvement of existing related processes and tools and production of related documents.
• Support to the risk management processes (e.g. maintenance of risk register, monitoring of status of risk mitigation/reduction actions) for the Business Unit.
• Support to the inventory and asset management processes for the Business Unit, including coordination of the proper registration of inventory items and assets, valuation of assets, in accordance with applicable procedures and instructions and the use of required tools.
• Support to the maintenance of industrial return databases for the BU, periodic verification of the BU data against ESA system for consistency, monitoring and forecasting of industrial return values for the procurements of the BU with respect to agreed targets, etc.
• Support assets and inventories management (including technical databases)
• Support BU for worked time activities processes with applicable procedures and instructions and the use of the required tool.
• Support BU for travel management processes with applicable procedures and instructions and the use of the required tool

Profile

Do you think you are the person we are looking for? See below what experience or knowledge you should bring:

• University degree (Bachelor) from a recognised Institution of secondary studies or equivalent qualification in Business Administration (or Communications as relevant), with relevant experience.
• At least 2 years of relevant work experience.
• Experience in controlling and/or management of activities and resources in aerospace industry.
• Good sense of contacts and communications, ability to interface at appropriate level with relevant actors within and outside of the Directorate.
• Reliability, rigor and initiative in the execution of the assigned work.
• Proactive attitude to solving problems, identify priority actions and to handle high workload.
• Ability to work both autonomously and as part of a team within the boundaries of assigned tasks and stringent schedule.
• Highly proficient in the use of modern activities and resource management support tools/databases of standard office automation support software packages including advance usage of Excel (Ms-Office and in particular advanced use of Excel).
• Experience as user of SAP and in particular ECC and SRM modules and familiarity with relevant ESA corporate applications e.g. ESA-p) is an asset.
• Ability to rapidly understand and adapt to ESA specific context and environment including ESA corporate IT applications.
• Experience with ESA in relevant activities is an asset.
• Familiarity with ESA working environment in a similar position is a distinct advantage.
• Excellent interpersonal skills are needed, together with a high degree organizational and communication abilities, and comfortable with working in a diverse and multinational team environment.
• Proficient in the English language, both written and spoken.
• Knowledge of another EU member state language is an asset.
• Candidates must be eligible to work in the EU.

On offer

• Flexible working policy (hybrid working)
• Comprehensive and competitive benefits plan
• A range of wellness activities and employee assistance programs
• Casual dress code

Relocation:

The Netherlands’ central location in Europe makes it an ideal base for travel and business within the EU. Major cities are well-connected by road, rail, and air with Amsterdam Schiphol Airport one of Europe’s busiest and most well-connected airports, facilitating easy international travel.

Serco offers relocation support for all EU passport holders that are planning to relocate to the Netherlands and work for Serco B.V.

DE&I

Diversity, Equity & Inclusion at Serco is based on a culture where every voice is heard and every employee feels valued. Working together as one team, we can enhance the experience of our people and teams, improve the value of our solutions to better serve the missions of our customers, and make an impact in our world.