Project Controller

This is an excellent opportunity for professionals who have experience in project control and project management within scientific projects and who wish to play a key role in large international projects. You will become part of the Programme Planning and Control Office within the Directorate of Programmes.

Within ESO, you will support all the activities related to budget preparation, schedule management, controlling, risk management, performance management, reporting, project management processes and administrative functions for the development of complex state of the art unique projects.

Main Duties and Responsibilities :

• Support the preparation of project / programme budgets and consolidating resource plans;
• Managing project / programme fund commitments, performing budget implementation and year-end closure exercises;
• Support the preparation of project / programme procurement plans in close collaboration with Finance, and Contracts and Procurement departments;
• Supporting the preparation of ESO's long term financial plan (this includes medium / long term affordability analysis and scenario analysis);
• Monitoring the performances (cost, schedule, risks) of both ESO internal activities and contracts under the supervision of the relevant Programme / Project Manager. This includes application of Earned Value Management techniques, development of ad-hoc KPIs and Scorecards;
• Contribute to the maintenance of detailed programmes / projects schedules in close collaboration with the Programme / Project Managers (this includes schedule roll-up, critical path analysis, cross dependencies monitoring, milestones trend analysis);
• Delivering a variety of financial and programmatic reports to the relevant programme / project stakeholders;
• Contributing to the preparation of reports dedicated to ESO's governing bodies;
• Contribute to the maintenance of Planning and Controlling best practices and ensure related implementation across ESO projects;
• Supporting Risk Management process.

The duties for this position are not limited to the above and a flexible approach together with a strong capacity to adapt is essential. The selected candidate is expected to take on increasing responsibilities as his / her role develops over time

Reports to :

Head of Programme Planning and Control.

Key Competences and Experience :

Essential Competences and Experience :

Desirable Competences and Experience :

Qualifications :

A Master's degree in engineering or other relevant field is required. A bachelor's degree may be accepted in lieu of master's degree with at least two years additional professional experience.

Language skills :

A very good command of the English language - verbal, reading and writing is essential and a working knowledge of Spanish would be an advantage.