Vacancies

Project Business Controller

Job Introduction

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 offers space capability across the full space lifecycle from satellite testing to Launch services, LEOP to spacecraft operations, space surveillance to data management, and supporting downstream application development. With over 55 years history in the space sector Serco is well placed to contribute to National strategies and New Space ventures who want to scale their businesses/organizations with skilled talent.

We are seeking a Project Business Controller to work onsite at ESA-ESTEC in the Netherlands, providing a unique opportunity to join one of the world’s most prestigious space agencies.

In this role, you will support SCI-MB with business and workforce controlling tasks across the directorate, collaborating with corporate finance and workforce entities. The position combines central business intelligence functions with project-specific support, requiring exceptional coordination, flexibility, and communication skills to ensure smooth integration across all controlling functions.

Main Responsibilities

As a Project Business Controller you will concentrate your activities on the following:

Manage long-term resource planning for projects, covering costs, workforce, and procurement; analyze and improve planning accuracy.
Prepare and monitor yearly cost and cash plans, analyze deviations and suggest corrective actions.
Oversee procurement planning, status updates and geo-return data using ESA tools.
Support procurement processes, coordinate with stakeholders and ensure compliance with ESA systems and documentation.
Manage financial commitments and ensure timely year-end and in-year closures in ESA systems.
Regularly update contract milestones and assess project risks.
Support inventory and fixed asset management, including audits and inspections.
Maintain and update data in ESA-P and proprietary planning tools.
Review industrial proposals for cost credibility and support audits as needed.
Provide geo-return, budget, cash flow and manpower analysis and reporting.
Assist with year-end closures and support process automation for efficiency improvements.
Manage commitment ceilings and consolidate SCI manpower requests.
Update workforce data, including staff arrivals, departures and role changes in WMS+ and other systems.
Respond to ad hoc requests, participate in biweekly reporting meetings and ensure compliance with templates and guidelines.
Access and utilize data through the ESA Data Factory.
Help set up and maintain a self-service reporting platform for SCI-M controllers, including creating reports, BI solutions and shared workspaces.
Train, support and coach controllers on using BI tools, while continuously improving the platform in collaboration with agency-wide BI developments.

Successful Candidate

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

Bachelor’s degree in Business Administration, Finance, or a related field, with relevant professional experience.
At least 4 years of experience in financial planning, controlling, or resource management, ideally in an aerospace or project-oriented environment.
Strong communication and interpersonal skills to effectively collaborate with cross-functional teams and external stakeholders.
Proven ability to work autonomously and as part of a team, managing priorities and high workloads with reliability, rigor and initiative.
Advanced proficiency in Excel and modern resource management tools; experience with SAP (ECC, SRM modules) and ESA corporate applications (e.g., ESA-P, ESA-STAR, EROS) is highly desirable.
Familiarity with tools like PowerBI, Tableau, ESA Data Factory, WLMS, and other relevant platforms is an asset.
Proactive problem solver with strong organizational and analytical skills, capable of adapting quickly to ESA’s context and systems.
Fluent in English (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
Bike Scheme

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.

About the Company

Why should you join Serco ?

At Serco not only is the nature of the work we do important, everyone has an important role to play.

Meaningful and vital work - You’ll contribute to methodologically intercepting challenges whilst achievements will also be recognised and celebrated.

A world of opportunity - You’ll be wholeheartedly supported with development and career progression

Great people - You’ll become an integral member of a well-defined and supportive team who believe passionately in the value of our work. We are a company passionate about diversity and inclusion.

We are diverse and inclusive organisation

At Serco, we see people first and foremost for their performance and potential and we are committed to supporting the needs of all our colleagues. It’s a mix of people from different backgrounds, experiences and opinion that keeps our culture strong and vibrant.

We believe in equity so we strongly encourage applications from a diverse range of candidates. Disabled applicants who meet the minimum criteria for the job are encouraged to apply and demonstrate their abilities in an interview. We also welcome a conversation about any adjustments that would make the interview process more accessible for you. Wherever possible we are open to discussions around flexible working and we operate a hybrid work structure in many of our business areas.

In the UK we are proud to be a Disability Confident Leader in the government’s scheme and hold the Gold Inclusive Employer Standard; in Belgium we are partner of Diversicom and member of Charter der Vielfalt in Germany.

If you have any questions please do not hesitate to reach out to The Serco Europe Recruitment Team

Important:

Any offer of employment is contingent upon you providing documents to verify your identity and employment eligibility, as required by law.

Applicants are reminded that they will be requested to produce such documentation during the recruitment process.

Please contact a member of the recruitment team if you require further details of acceptable types of documentation required for verification of identity and work authorization.

Data Protection:

For more information on how the personal data in your application is process, please see the link Data Protection policy here.

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