Business Controller

Serco, a prominent player in the Space industry with over 40 years of experience, has a robust partnership with the European Space Agency (ESA), particularly through their work at the European Space Astronomy Centre (ESAC) in Spain. Serco's collaboration with ESAC involves supporting a range of scientific missions, including data processing for missions like Gaia, Solar Orbiter, and Euclid. They also provide critical support for planetary missions such as BepiColombo and ExoMars Trace Gas Orbiter. This partnership underscores Serco's commitment to advancing Space science and technology, making it an ideal environment for professionals seeking to contribute to groundbreaking Space projects. The role sits on client premises within the Business Unit Financial Planning & Management Service which provides management support and oversight for activities and resources of the Science directorate.

We are looking for a Business Controller to support the Science Directorate with business and workforce controlling tasks, while collaborating with corporate entities in finance, workforce management and contract office. This role requires strong financial controlling and procurement experience as well as excellent coordination, flexibility and communication to ensure seamless integration across all controlling functions.

Main Responsibilities

• Support the management of long-term resource planning for projects, covering costs, workforce and procurement.
• Maintain the contractual datasets such as CaC resource plans, Contractual status, Cost recharge plans, Contractor Database, Geo return enrichment, Commitment forecast.
• Support procurement processes, coordinate with stakeholders and ensure compliance with ESA systems and documentation.
• Maintain and update data in ESA-P and proprietary planning tools.
• Support the Contractual Change Process such as Change Requests and Change Proposals, Maintain the Change Requests in corporate tool, Minutes of Meeting, up to date, Maintain "Change Process Overview", including Change Request status, special events status, CCN status, Contract numbers and TR status, CCB Action management, Preparation of CCNs : Collect PSSAs, prepare MPP, communicate with Contracts Officer and review draft CCN for financial elements.
• Implement commitments and changes to Work Orders in SAP (ESA-P) as corporate tool.
• Review the financial elements of the Periodic Progress report and highlight points for attention to the Technical Officer prior to the progress meeting.
• Assist with year-end closures and support process automation for efficiency improvements.

Successful Candidate

• Bachelor's degree in Business Administration, Finance, or a related field, with relevant professional experience.
• At least 4 years of experience in financial planning and controlling 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) is highly desirable.
• Familiarity with tools like PowerBI, and other relevant reporting 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 :

• Great career opportunities in the Space industry.
• Comprehensive package of benefits offered by the company, such as life insurance and health insurance.
• Engaging company events to foster team spirit.
• Hybrid working model to support work-life balance.
• Opportunity to work in an international environment.

About the Company

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.

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.

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