For more than half a century, Serco has walked alongside the pioneers of space. Serco has supported over 50 ESA missions where our teams have helped launch satellites, guide spacecraft across the void and turn data into discoveries that reshape our world. With thousands of specialists contributing across the entire space lifecycle from satellite testing to launch services, LEOP to operations and surveillance, we’ve become a trusted force in national And European space strategies. And now, the next chapter could include you.
As part of our long-standing partnership with the European Space Agency, we are looking for a
Programme Project Controller to join our team at ESTEC in Noordwijk.
Programme Project Controller to join our team at ESTEC in Noordwijk.
You will support ESA’s Directorate of Controlling, Finance and Operational Procurement (CFO), the function that helps turn the Agency’s ambitions into well-planned and financially controlled programmes. Working at the intersection of programme planning, finance and procurement, you will help ensure that resources, budgets, schedules and contracts remain aligned throughout the lifecycle of European space projects. ESA officially defines CFO as the Directorate of Controlling, Finance and Operational Procurement.
Responsibilities:
- Support the planning, preparation, execution and follow-up of programme and project activities, covering schedules, risks, costs, procurement actions and resources.
- Assist with the preparation, development and maintenance of programme and project plans.
- Support the preparation and maintenance of Cost-at-Completion (CAC) forecasts and resource plans.
- Monitor the implementation of financial and workload plans against agreed targets.
- Perform forecasting, identify deviations and support the definition of appropriate recovery actions.
- Prepare reports, analyses, KPIs and management information on programme performance, resources and key achievements.
- Review financial commitments and internal expenditure to ensure consistency with approved budgets, CAC forecasts and ESA procedures.
- Monitor the use of financial commitment ceilings and initiate budget transfers when required.
- Support the preparation and follow-up of ESA tender actions and Contract Change Notices.
- Contribute to proposal evaluations, including price and schedule verification and analysis.
- Support the preparation of contract financial commitments and milestone payment plans in ESA systems.
- Contribute to procurement workplans and detailed implementation plans, including commitment consumption, cost and disbursement profiles.
- Monitor the progress of procurement actions and contracts, keeping actual and forecast information up to date.
- Create and maintain relevant information in ESA-p and other local or corporate applications.
- Monitor financial commitments, contractual milestones, invoices and payments.
- Support invoice verification and payment control activities.
- Assist with programme and project risk management, including maintaining risk information and following up on mitigation actions.
- Support programme inventory, fixed-asset and export-control activities.
- Maintain and verify industrial return information, ensuring that procurement activities remain consistent with the programme’s industrial policy targets.
- Contribute to the improvement of programme control processes, tools and reporting methods.
Profile:
- A Master’s degree in business administration, finance, economics, engineering, project management or another relevant discipline.
- Relevant professional experience in programme or project control, preferably within the aerospace or another complex technical environment.
- Experience with financial planning, budgeting, forecasting and resource control.
- Understanding of procurement processes and the financial execution of contracts.
- Strong analytical skills, with the ability to identify deviations and present clear information to management.
- Advanced proficiency in Microsoft Excel and good knowledge of standard office and resource-management tools.
- Experience using SAP, particularly the ECC or SRM modules, is an advantage.
- Familiarity with ESA corporate applications, including ESA-p, would be beneficial.
- Previous experience supporting ESA programmes or projects is an advantage.
- Ability to understand complex processes and adapt quickly to the ESA working environment.
- Strong attention to detail, organisational skills and a proactive approach.
- Excellent written and spoken English. Knowledge of another official ESA language is an advantage.
- Ability to work effectively with programme teams, finance specialists, procurement colleagues and other internal stakeholders.
What we Offer: More than just a job.
At Serco, we believe that a career should come with more than just a paycheck, it should provide support, security, and a sense of balance in your life. Your salary will be paid promptly on Fridays before the 28th of each month, giving you peace of mind about your finances.
We support your daily life and commute in practical ways. If you travel to work, you can claim a travel allowance of €0.21 per kilometre for up to 150 km, or you can have your public transport fully reimbursed. For those working from home, there’s a small daily allowance of €2 to cover extra costs, and new employees can be reimbursed up to €500 for a desk or chair to make their home workspace comfortable.
When your work takes you on missions or travel, all business-related expenses are fully covered, and for peace of mind during tax season, our appointed advisor will assist you in completing your income tax forms. If you enjoy cycling, our bicycle scheme allows you to benefit from a tax-efficient allowance of up to €749, one year of full insurance with an additional €89 per year for accessories.
Serco also cares about your long-term security. All employees are covered under a collective life insurance scheme, and our health insurance partnership with Zilverenkruis Achmea offers discounts of 5% on basic coverage and up to 10% on additional plans. Our company pension scheme, managed via Nationale Nederlanden, follows the Dutch State Pension framework, ensuring you can plan confidently for the future.
In addition, in emergency situations, you may request an advance salary payment of up to one month’s net salary at the discretion of your line manager. To support your wellbeing and daily work, we offer up to €250 reimbursement for work glasses to reduce blue light strain and provide access to Benefits & Work, offering multiple discounts for online shopping. For lifelong learning, all employees receive a 35% discount on programs at Webster University.
At Serco, our benefits are designed to make your life easier, healthier, and more flexible, so you can focus on contributing to groundbreaking space missions while feeling supported every step of the way.
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.
Serco offers relocation support for all EU passport holders that are planning to relocate to the Netherlands and work for Serco B.V.
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