PMSO Team Lead for Secure Connectivity

EUROPEAN SPACE AGENCY; Noordwijk; On-site; EUR 80,000 - 110,000; Full time

Job summary

European Space Agency is seeking a Business Unit Control and Programme Support Office Team Lead for Secure Connectivity within the Directorate of Resilience, Navigation and Connectivity. You will manage project control, planning, cost, schedule and risk for major programmes, coordinating with internal and external stakeholders.

The role requires a master’s degree and at least five years of relevant experience, plus strong leadership, analytical and reporting skills in a diverse international

Qualifications

• Master’s degree in a relevant domain and at least five years of professional experience.
• Experience as a controller at agency or industry level is advantageous.
• Knowledge of project management and risk management principles with ability to apply them.
• Proficiency with ESA-p, Excel and Project and familiarity with ERP systems.
• Experience with European Commission projects is a plus.

Responsibilities

• Prepare, develop and maintain programmatic aspects of the Secure Connectivity Programme, including cost, schedule, workforce, risks and geographical return.
• Implement and operate planning and control procedures with regular reporting.
• Coordinate risk management and schedule activities and prepare risk reports.
• Prepare tender documents and participate in procurement evaluations.
• Oversee financial implementation and reporting to management and stakeholders.
• Lead day-to-day coordination of a team of project controllers and PM support.

Skills

Budgeting and cost control

Risk management

Project control

Stakeholder interaction

Analytical skills

Communication skills

Education

Master’s degree in a relevant domain

Tools

ESA-p

Microsoft Excel

Microsoft Project

SAP-based ERP systems

Job description

Select how often (in days) to receive an alert:

Closing Date: 26 October 2026 23:59 CET/CEST

Publication Method: Internal & External

Type of Appointment ( learn more) : 4 years, extendable to indefinite

Directorate: Controlling, Finance and Operational Procurement

PMSO Team Lead for Secure Connectivity, PMSO RNC EU Programmes Office, BUC&PMSO Resilience, Navigation & Connectivity, Controlling Hub Department, Directorate of Controlling, Finance and Operational Procurement.

The Business Unit Control and Programme Support Office (BUC &PMSO) for the Directorate of Resilience, Navigation and Connectivity is responsible for providing integrated project control and programme management support across the Directorate. Within the Office, the Project Control and Management Support Team Lead will be responsible for project planning and control, as well as management support of the Secure Connectivity Programme, and for supporting the effective and efficient management of its resources. The role involves extensive interaction with stakeholders both within and outside ESA and is instrumental in supporting Secure Connectivity management in programmatic decision-making. You will work closely with the Secure Connectivity managers and contribute to the implementation of projects as part of the project team. You will report hierarchically to the Head of the PMSO RNC EU Programmes Office.

Duties

• Preparing, developing and maintaining the overall programmatic aspects of the Secure Connectivity Programme in coordination with the Programme and Project Managers, covering areas such as cost, schedule, workforce, risks and geographical return;
• Implementing and operating planning and control procedures to provide full visibility of the Secure Connectivity Programme’s progress through dedicated reporting of all activities using established procedures and information systems, in compliance with ESA project management requirements;
• Coordinating the Secure Connectivity Programme risk management and schedule activities, identifying potential problem areas and opportunities, proposing mitigation actions and preparing risk reports and risk-adjusted schedules as required;
• Preparing tender documents with respect to cost, management, risk and schedule requirements and participating in the evaluation of proposals;
• Preparing information required for contract negotiations and participating in the procurement process, including negotiations with industry and institutional stakeholders;
• Overseeing financial implementation, including commitments entered into on behalf of the Agency and the acceptance of deliverables;
• Preparing and providing inputs for periodic reporting to project management, the BUC & PMSO, internal and external bodies and stakeholders;
• Contributing to project reviews in your areas of project control-related responsibility;
• Ensuring that all project changes are formally controlled, analysed, presented for decision and correctly implemented, protecting coherence of cost, schedule and scope;
• Interfacing with industry on programmatic (financial, risk and schedule) matters, advising managers and external partners on project control best practices, methods, processes and procedures;
• Ensuring operational excellence and driving continuous improvement in your own areas of responsibility;
• Supporting the BUC & PMSO in operating and, where needed, introducing uniform procedures for the management and control of all programme, project and activity matters;
• Leading the day-to-day coordination of a team of project controllers/project management support, including:
  • coordinating activities and ensuring alignment of priorities and deliverables;
  • providing functional guidance and support on controlling-related matters;
  • fostering collaboration, knowledge-sharing and the adoption of best practices;
  • promoting a positive and cooperative working environment;
• Supporting the BUC & PMSO Resilience, Navigation and Connectivity with the cross-cutting controlling functions allocated to the Section.

Knowledge of or experience in budgeting, cost control and resource and activity planning

Knowledge of or experience in business analysis, digital tools and reporting

Knowledge of or experience in schedule management

Knowledge of or experience in risk management

Knowledge of or experience in SAP-based ERP systems

Knowledge of or experience in financial regulatory frameworks, including accounting standards and auditing techniques

Knowledge of or experience in ESA/EU procurement regulations

Result Orientation
Operational Efficiency
Fostering Cooperation
Relationship Management
Continuous Improvement
Forward Thinking

A master’s degree in a relevant domain is required for this post, together with a minimum of five years of relevant professional experience.

Additional requirements

Professional experience as a controller, preferably at agency or industry level, is a distinct advantage.

Knowledge and/or understanding of space systems architecture will be considered an asset.

You must have substantial experience in applying project management and risk management principles along with advanced business/project control techniques, as well as in preparing, negotiating and implementing major industrial procurements. Experience with European Commission projects will be considered an asset.

Knowledge of computer systems and information, planning and coordination tools, such as esa-p, Microsoft Excel and Microsoft Project, is essential. Familiarity with modern dashboard and risk management tools will be considered an asset.

You should be able to work autonomously, effectively and cooperatively in a diverse and international team environment and be able to define and implement solutions in line with team and individual objectives and deadlines. You should possess strong written and oral communication skills and be rigorous and disciplined when working on demanding tasks. You should have good analytical, organisational and reporting skills, with a proactive attitude to problem-solving.

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 [e-mail] .
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, Cyprus, Latvia, Lithuania and Slovakia.

According to the ESA Convention, staff shall be recruited on the basis of their qualifications, taking into account an adequate distribution of posts among nationals of the 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.