Project and Financial Business Management Specialist

Package Description

What we offer if you join our amazing team:

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

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 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 Project and Financial Business Management Specialist join our team distributed over the ESA ESTEC site, in the Netherlands.

The service will provide function of administrative, secretarial, and organisational support and will provide a focal point of support to HRE Groups/Teams. The service will actively contribute to continuous improvements and the harmonisation of common process.

Main Responsibilities

• Provide support and assistance for project control aspects of the procurement process and related tasks.
• Ensure the implementation of common, harmonised, and approved procurement processes in related systems, proposing service improvements to increase efficiency and effectiveness.
• Coordinate and update all procurement activities in related systems, offering overall oversight and proactive follow-up on clarifications, issues, requests for information, approval workflows, and providing consolidated activity logs, status updates, and statistics for all actions:
  • Create and implement Purchase Orders, Work Orders, Contracts, and CCN objects in related systems, following up on approval flows.
  • Implement RFXs & Shopping Carts in ESA-p after verifying proper documentation.
  • Support clarification of inputs and follow up on actions/status of Purchase Orders created by Purchase Office.
  • Handle low-value purchase orders and reimbursement requests for project expenses.
  • Implement contracts in ESA-p based on agreed Milestone Payment Plans (MPP) and Advance Payment tables when required.
  • Collect geo-return information and perform approved updates in corporate systems.
  • Create and process Goods Receipt Notes (GRNs) in ESA-p, clarifying issues and following up on approval flows in line with audit requirements.
  • Create and process invoices in ESA-p, clarifying ambiguities and following up on approval flow.
  • Create TEB Nominations in ESA-Star.
  • Implement and process Z-payments.
  • Collect and update ESA-estimating dates for payment milestones in related systems (IPCDB and SAP).
  • Verify procurement action changes in HRE planning (e.g., IPCDB) are within the CAC/cost plans.
  • Implement approved accruals in related systems, coordinating with Project Controllers for approval.
  • Support contract close-out activities in ESA corporate and HRE systems, handling nominal operational and analytical processes required for contract closure.
  • Produce and maintain procurement process implementation documentation and guidelines.
  • Support review of Contract/Work Order financial annexes/PSS forms for accuracy and correctness before ESA-p implementation in close coordination with Project or Business Control.
• Provide reporting such as activity logs, statistics, and progress status on work-package tasks.
• Produce and maintain procurement process implementation documentation and guidelines.
• Provide inputs and recommendations for process optimisation of procurement support activities and tasks.
• Support financial and management audits, including preparation, information gathering, coordination, presentations, and tracking/implementation of action items.
• Support and attend coordination meetings, working groups, database/tool briefings, and trainings.
• Provide ad hoc support for new systems/tools testing (UAT).

Successful Candidate

• Bachelor’s degree or equivalent with relevant experience.
• At least 4 years of relevant work experience.
• A sound and proven experience of working with ESA internal procedure and corporate tools (booking system, visitor badge process etc).
• Knowledge from STEM degree level subjects from recognised universities and business and/or project management qualifications or certifications (e.g. PMI, Prince, MBA).
• Security clearance as required to support data management processes and tools in the frame of support to security, export control and data protection processes and cooperation with international partners (e.g. NASA, CSA, JAXA).
• A good knowledge of HRE directorate’s programmes.
• Knowledge of ITAR and EAR regulations.
• A sound and proven experience in providing a customer-oriented service in a senior capacity.
• Good Knowledge of supporting a project-oriented environment is an asset.
• Familiarity with Polaris, ECLIPSE (e g. DCCM).
• Knowledge of SharePoints/Web portals.
• Proficiency with Microsoft 365 Office Software.
• High capacity to interact and communicate effectively with cross functional teams, from engineering, technical and business domains.
• High-level of organizational skills, with attention to detail, flexibility, and ability to identify priorities.
• Comfortable with working in a diverse and multinational team environment.
• Excellent interpersonal skills are needed, together with a high degree organizational and communication abilities.
• 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.

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.

About the Company

Serco is a leading provider of public services. Our customers are governments or others operating in the public sector. We gain scale, expertise and diversification by operating internationally across five sectors and four geographies: Defence, Space, Justice & Immigration, Transport, Health and Citizen Services, delivered in UK & Europe, North America, Asia Pacific and the Middle East. More information can be found at Serco | Europe

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.