Head of the PMSO Section for Science Projects - European Space Agency (Noordwijk)

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 the PMSO Section for Science Projects and be accountable for its performance
• Provide project control and management support to all Science Projects Department projects
• Develop and sustain professional capability through continuous improvement of controlling and management support processes
• Set the Section's priorities and deploy resources in response to project needs
• Prepare, develop and maintain overall programmatic aspects covering cost, schedule, workforce, risks and geographical return
• Oversee implementation and operation of planning and control procedures with dedicated reporting
• Coordinate the Department's risk management and schedule activities
• Oversee preparation of tender documents and participate in proposal evaluation

Are you eligible?

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

• Education: Master's degree in a relevant domain
• Experience: In principle, five 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: Controlling, Finance and Operational Procurement Directorate.

Position details

Reference

1431818933

Last Verified

31 August 2026

Position overview

This is the official EU Careers listing for Head of the PMSO Section for Science Projects at ESA based in Noordwijk (Other). The vacancy reference is 1431818933.

Job Requisition ID:20841

Date Posted:31 August 2026

Closing Date:21 September 2026 23:59 CET/CEST

Publication:Internal & External

Directorate:Controlling, Finance and Operational Procurement

Location

ESTEC, Noordwijk, Netherlands

Description

As Head of the PMSO (Project Management and Support Office) Section for Science Projects, you will lead the Section and be accountable for its performance and capability in providing project control and management support services across all major missions in the Science programme.

You will develop and sustain the professional capability of the Section through continuous improvement of controlling and management support processes, digitalisation, management reporting, including dashboards, transparency, efficiency, cooperation and knowledge-sharing.

You will be responsible for the overall planning, monitoring and controlling of the programmatic aspects of the projects/activities within the Projects Department and will set the Section's priorities and deploy its resources in response to project needs. You will work closely with the Head of Department and Project Managers to support programmatic decision-making, maintain effective interfaces within and outside ESA, and report hierarchically to the Head of the BUC & PMSO.

Duties

You will lead the PMSO Section for Science Projects, providing project control and management support to all projects of the Science Projects Department to enable delivery on time, within budget and within scope, including:

- setting the Section's priorities in alignment with Science project needs and BUC & PMSO objectives, and deploying its resources accordingly; - preparing, developing and maintaining the overall programmatic aspects in coordination with the Department Head and Project Managers, covering areas such as cost, schedule, workforce, risks and geographical return; - overseeing the implementation and operation of planning and control procedures to provide full visibility on progress in projects through dedicated reporting on all activities using established procedures and information systems, in compliance with ESA project management requirements; - coordinating the Department’s risk management and schedule activities, identifying potential problem areas and opportunities, proposing mitigation actions and preparing risk reports and risk-adjusted schedules as required; - overseeing the preparation of tender documents with respect to cost, management, risk and schedule requirements, and participating in the evaluation of proposals; - overseeing the preparation of 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; - overseeing the preparation and provision of inputs for periodic reporting to project management, the BUC & PMSO, internal and external bodies, and stakeholders; - contributing to project reviews in the areas of your project control and management support-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; - representing the Section in interfaces with industry on programmatic (financial, risk and schedule) matters, and advising managers and external partners on best practices, methods, processes and procedures in project control and management support; - driving continuous improvement in the Section’s services, processes and ways of working; - 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 and developing the Section’s workforce and ensuring that its capacity and professional competencies meet evolving project needs.

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 and/or experience in budgeting, cost control, and resource and activity planning

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

Knowledge of and/or experience in schedule management

Knowledge of and/or experience in risk management

Knowledge of and/or experience in SAP-based ERP systems

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

Knowledge of and/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, in principle, five 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 projects 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 31 August 2026, today.

The application deadline is 21 September 2026, 20 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 31 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 Noordwijk see our Noordwijk location page.

New to EU careers? Our beginner's guide walks through entry routes, EPSO competitions, and what to prepare. For application logistics see application tips and EPSO competitions.