Noordwijk (Netherlands)
Resource Controller
Noordwijk, NL
This is a fixed-term appointment with an initial duration of 4 years. Depending upon performance and organisational needs, the appointment may be extended up to a possible maximum duration of 8 years. Any appointment to this position will begin no earlier than 1 January 2026.
Location
ESTEC, Noordwijk, Netherlands
Description
Resource Controller, reporting to the Head of the Resource Management and Control Office in the Management Support Office, Directorate of Technology, Engineering and Quality (D/TEC).
Reporting directly to the Head of the Resource Management and Control Office, you will contribute to the smooth operation of the Directorate and the management of its resources. You will support the Directorate’s decision-making regarding programmatic, resource deployment and business management processes. In carrying out your responsibilities, you will work closely with a committed team of controllers and administrators, interfacing with the Directorate’s Management Team and the Management Support Office.
You will play a key a role in the development, consolidation and oversight of workforce and workload planning. Operating at the interface between operational planning, financial control and corporate coordination, you will drive the evolution of workforce-related systems and processes, enabling data-driven decision-making and transparent reporting. The role requires close collaboration with internal stakeholders and corporate functions (Corporate Control, Workforce Management, Human Resources, Procurement, Finance and IT) to ensure the integrity of workforce data, the effectiveness of planning cycles and the compliance of resource management practices.
Duties
In carrying out your tasks and responsibilities, you will:
- develop, consolidate and maintain the Directorate’s workforce plan, ensuring alignment with strategic goals and operational needs.
- coordinate the Directorate’s workload planning cycle and functional support planning, including revisions and CYMP preparation.
- maintain a detailed view of workload and workforce evolution at competency level, implementing proactive controlling and analysis to support decision-making.
- implement and monitor the Directorate’s workforce sourcing strategy in line with ESA policies.
- coordinate with Workforce Management and Human Resources on workforce plan data and ensure consistency between internal planning and corporate requirements.
- provide financial planning and reporting for workforce-related activities, including support for ESA financial closures and annual reporting exercises.
- support the implementation and improvement of workforce resource planning, competency evolution and controlling processes.
- lead the data quality reviews and the enhancement of financial and management tools.
- drive the evolution and integration of workforce/workload-related IT systems (Workload Planning tool, Timesheet System and Workforce Management platform), ensuring usability, data integrity and process efficiency.
- provide the Directorate’s management team with business planning insights and support decision-making on strategic resource deployment.
- lead reporting design, maintenance and dissemination of information supporting decision-making towards the Directorate's Management Team.
- contribute to manpower rate analysis and reporting and support the recharging process.
- control, implement and plan the Directorate’s charging policy, including negotiation with stakeholders and contribution to service recharges.
You will also:
- contribute to the Directorate’s risk management process.
- participate in audits and respond to requests from internal and external stakeholders.
- contribute to data quality reviews and the improvement of financial and management processes and tools.
- perform analyses to support regular reporting and decision-making.
- monitor and control the KPIs relevant to the Directorate.
- serve as an interface with ESA corporate functions (Finance, HR, WFM, IT, Procurement and Corporate Control).
- ensure the integrity and consistency of resource data and bookings, as well as compliance with ESA policies, QMS, accounting standards and IPSAS rules.
- ensure compliance with ESA regulations, GDPR and ethics policies, and alignment with ESA core values.
- participate in working groups and boards as an expert, representing the Directorate’s interests.
- support other activities within your field of competence.
Technical competencies
Behavioural competencies
Result Orientation
Operational Efficiency
Fostering Cooperation
Relationship Management
Continuous Improvement
Forward Thinking
For more information, please refer to ESA Core Behavioural Competencies guidebook
Education
A master's degree in business administration or another relevant domain is required for this post.
Additional requirements
- strong analytical, organisational and reporting skills, alongside a proactive problem-solving attitude and result-oriented mindset.
- excellent interpersonal and communication skills, enabling you to work both independently and collaboratively within a diverse international team and within a matrix organisation.
- relationship management and stakeholder engagement skills, including mediation and negotiation skills.
- the ability to define and implement solutions that align with team objectives.
- proficiency in IT tools, specifically knowledge of controlling tools (such as SAP, Planisware and Fieldglass) and skills in data analysis and reporting tools (including advanced Excel functions and Power BI) and complex databases.
- a strong sense of discretion.
Diversity, Equity and Inclusiveness
ESA is an equal opportunity employer, committed to achieving diversity within the workforce and creating an inclusive working environment. We therefore welcome applications from all qualified candidates irrespective of gender, sexual orientation, ethnicity, religious beliefs, age, disability or other characteristics.
At the Agency we value diversity, and we welcome people with disabilities. Whenever possible, we seek to accommodate individuals with disabilities by providing the necessary support at the workplace. The Human Resources Department can also provide assistance during the recruitment process. If you would like to discuss this further, please contact us via email at contact.human.resources@esa.int.
Important Information and Disclaimer
In principle, recruitment will be within the advertised grade band (A2-A4). However, if the selected candidate has less than four years of relevant professional experience following the completion of the master’s degree, the position may be filled at A1 level.
Applicants must be eligible to access information, technology, and hardware which is subject to European or US export control and sanctions regulations & eligible to acquire the security clearance by their national security administrations.
During the recruitment process, the Agency may request applicants to undergo selection tests. Additionally, successful candidates will need to undergo basic screening before appointment, which will be conducted by an external background screening service, in compliance with the European Space Agency's security procedures.
Note that ESA is in the process of transitioning to a Matrix setup, which could lead to organisational changes affecting this position.
The information published on ESA’s careers website regarding working conditions is correct at the time of publication. It is not intended to be exhaustive and may not address all questions you would have.
Nationality and Languages
Please note that applications are only considered from nationals of one of the following States: Austria, Belgium, Czechia, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Ireland, Italy, Luxembourg, the Netherlands, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Romania, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, the United Kingdom and Canada, Latvia, Lithuania and Slovakia.
According to the ESA Convention, the recruitment of staff must take into account an adequate distribution of posts among nationals of the ESA Member States*. When short-listing for an interview, priority will first be given to internal candidates and secondly to external candidates from under-represented Member States*.
The working languages of the Agency are English and French. A good knowledge of one of these is required. Knowledge of another Member State language would be an asset.
*Member States, Associate Members or Cooperating States.
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