Head of the PMSO Section for Ariane 6 Programmes - European Space Agency (Paris)

About this position

The summary below is published by European Space Agency on the official vacancy notice. Our own analysis — salary realism, comparable openings, career trajectory, language profile — follows further down the page.

Key responsibilities

According to the vacancy notice, the role centres on the following duties:

• Lead team of Project Controllers providing project control and management support to Ariane 6 programmes
• Prepare, develop and maintain programmatic aspects of Ariane 6 programmes covering cost, schedule, workforce, risks and geographical return
• Implement and operate planning and control procedures providing visibility on progress through dedicated reporting
• Coordinate risk management and schedule activities, identifying problem areas and proposing mitigation actions
• Prepare tender documents and participate in evaluation of proposals
• Prepare information for contract negotiations and participate in procurement process
• Manage financial implementation including commitments and acceptance of deliverables
• Prepare inputs for periodic reporting to project management and stakeholders

Are you eligible?

Check these requirements from the notice before investing time in an application:

• Education: Master's degree in a relevant domain
• Experience: Minimum of three years of relevant professional experience
• Key skills: Budgeting and cost control, Resource and activity planning, Business analysis, Digital tools and reporting, Schedule management, Risk management, SAP-based ERP systems, Financial regulatory frameworks and accounting standards, ESA/EU procurement regulations, Project management and risk management principles

Contract and working arrangements

Hiring unit: BUC&PMSO Space Transportation, Controlling Hub Department, Directorate of Controlling, Finance and Operational Procurem….

Position details

Reference

1422957433

Last Verified

6 August 2026

Position overview

This is the official EU Careers listing for Head of the PMSO Section for Ariane 6 Programmes at ESA based in Paris (Other). The vacancy reference is 1422957433.

Job Requisition ID:20844

Date Posted:4 August 2026

Closing Date:25 August 2026 23:59 CET/CEST

Publication:Internal & External

Directorate:Controlling, Finance and Operational Procurement

Location

ESA Headquarters, Paris, France

## Description

Head of the PMSO Section for Ariane 6 Programmes, BUC&PMSO Space Transportation, Controlling Hub Department, Directorate of Controlling, Finance and Operational Procurement.

As Head of the PMSO (Project Management and Support Office) Section for Ariane 6 Programmes, you will manage a team of Controllers, providing project control and management support services across all Ariane 6 programmes.

You will also support the professional development of the Project Controllers through continuous improvements of controlling and management support processes, digitalisation, management reporting, including dashboards, transparency, efficiency, cooperation and knowledge-sharing.

You will have multiple interfaces within and outside ESA and will play a key role in supporting Ariane 6 programme managers in programmatic decision-making. You will cooperate closely with Ariane 6 Programme Managers, implementing projects as part of the project team and/or activities, and directly interface with ESA corporate services, as well as with industrial suppliers.

## Duties

You will lead the team of Project Controllers in the Section, providing project control and management support to all Ariane 6 programmes, projects and activities of the Ariane Programmes Department to enable delivery on time, within budget and within scope, including:

* preparing, developing and maintaining the overall programmatic aspects of the Ariane 6 programmes 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 on progress in the Ariane 6 programmes through dedicated reporting on all activities using established procedures and information systems, in compliance with ESA project management requirements; * coordinating the risk management and schedule activities of the Ariane 6 programmes, 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; * being responsible for financial implementation, including commitments made on behalf of the agency and the acceptance of deliverables; * preparing/providing inputs for periodic reporting to project management, the BUC and PMSO, internal and external bodies, and stakeholders; * contributing to project reviews in the areas of your project control-related responsibilities; * ensuring that all project changes are formally controlled, analysed, submitted for decision, and correctly implemented, while maintaining coherence of cost, schedule, and scope; * interfacing with industry on programmatic (financial, risk and schedule) matters advising managers and external partners on best practices, methods, processes and procedures in project control; * ensuring operational excellence and driving continuous improvement in your 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-related matters; * managing the Section’s workforce and ensuring its professional competencies are maintained and enhanced; * supporting the Space Transportation BUC & PMSO in the cross-cutting functions allocated to the Section.

You will also be responsible for identifying, assessing, managing and reporting the health and safety risks in your area of responsibility.

## Technical competencies

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

## Behavioural competencies

## Education and professional experience

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

## Additional requirements

* Professional experience as a Controller, preferably at agency or industry level, would be a distinct asset; * Knowledge and/or understanding of space systems architecture would be considered an asset; * You must also 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 would be considered a source of added value; * Knowledge of computer systems and information/planning/coordination tools (e.g. esa-p, Microsoft Excel and Microsoft Project) is essential. Familiarity with modern dashboard and risk management tools would 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.

* The potential to manage a team of Project Controllers in a space programme setting; * The ability to organise their activities and ensure a motivating work environment; * Strong leadership capabilities, with proven relationship management and communication skills; * The ability to drive your team’s performance, developing your people by encouraging learning, delegating responsibility and giving regular and constructive feedback; * Strong problem-solving skills to deal with day-to-day operational challenges, together with demonstrated planning and organisational skills; * Strong results orientation with the ability to set priorities and present practical solutions both orally and in writing; * The ability to manage challenging situations proactively and constructively and to be customer focused; * People management experience would be an asset, as would international experience, i.e. outside your home country, as well as experience in diverse functional areas relevant to ESA activities.

Application timeline

This vacancy was first listed on 4 August 2026, 1 day ago.

The application deadline is 25 August 2026, 18 days from today. Late applications are not accepted, so submit through the official EU Careers portal well in advance.

Last verified against the EU Careers feed on 6 August 2026.

Where to learn more

For headcount, mission, and other open vacancies at ESA see the ESA institution page; for the cost of living, correction coefficient, and other postings in Paris see our Paris location page.

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