E-ELT Programme Controller

On behalf of its community, ESO is engaged in the design and construction of the world's largest optical and infrared telescope, the 39-m European Extremely Large Telescope (E-ELT), on Cerro Armazones in Chile. It is currently in an early construction phase, with first light planned in 2024. Together with the operation and continued development of the La Silla Paranal Observatory and of the Atacama Large Millimeter/submillimeter Array (ALMA), the construction of the E-ELT is one of the main activities within ESO's overall programme.

This is an excellent opportunity for individuals who have a strong background in project planning and budget control in large technology / engineering / construction projects and who wish to play a key role in a large international project.

Main Duties and Responsibilities:

The successful applicant is part of the E-ELT Programme Office.

Responsibilities include:

• Maintaining the overall programme budget and schedule, coordinating and assisting the project control activities across the various projects constituting the E-ELT Programme in particular with regard to actual progress (schedule and expenditure), as well as identification and resolution of schedule conflicts;
• Oversee the coordination of deliverables within the Optomechanics systems project.

Among the various tasks, the position will include, but is not restricted to, the following duties:

• Using Project Planning & Control (PP&C) tools, document and maintain programme and project plans including schedule, tasks, milestones, resource assignment and time/expense tracking for large, geographically dispersed, project activities and subcontracted work;
• Maintaining and possibly upgrading the already defined Project Control processes and tools;
• In close cooperation with the Project Managers, assist the Programme Manager with the preparation of the annual budget, and manage the development of the budget through the life of the programme;
• Oversee the coordination of programme staff requirements within the ESO staff matrix organisation;
• Configure and customize PP&C tools including determining user requirements; establishing and maintaining multiple user accounts; establishing data interfaces; and developing internal and executive reports;
• Assist the Programme and Project Managers with defining, analysing and reporting on the programme and projects to plan, track and display project progress and performance; and to analyse the critical path(s), risk and uncertainty;
• Manage the integration of financial data into the master project schedule to facilitate EVM (Earned Value Management); collect periodic progress updates and reconcile differences; develop, analyse and report on EVM metrics as directed by the Programme Manager;
• Lead the development and maintenance of additional project management tools and processes to assist the Programme Manager in overseeing budget change control and use of contingency;
• Support the Programme Risk Register (risk owner, severity, probability of occurrence, status, etc.) by capturing risks in collaboration with Project Managers (incl. contractors' risks), monitoring their characterization, follow-up of risk mitigation;
• As programme controller and ESO expert on Open Plan, you will also provide support and guidance to other Project Managers outside the E-ELT programme.

The position will involve duty travel within Europe and to Chile.

Reports to:

The E-ELT Programme Manager

Experience:

• Significant experience in a large scale high-technology / engineering / construction environment;
• Significant experience using medium to high-end Project Planning & Control tools (e.g. Deltek Open Plan, P6, MS Project, etc.). The ESO uses Deltek Open Plan Professional for Programme planning;
• Ability to coach technical and financial personnel in Earned Value Management (EVM) and project scheduling methods (e.g., critical path analysis);
• Project Management Professional (PMP) or equivalent certification is a plus;
• Proficiency in MS Office applications (Outlook, Word, PowerPoint, Excel and Access);
• Communication and Multi-tasking competencies to manage parallel projects and activities.

Key Competences:

• Excellent communication skills, ability to effectively communicate at all levels within the organisation;
• Strong sense of Team spirit;
• Provides clear, concise and timely oral and written communications, identifying the key issues, examining options and proposing a way ahead;
• Well-structured working style, able to deal with details while keeping a focus on the global picture;
• Flexibility in adapting to changing environment or requirements.

Qualifications:

• University degree in Finance, Engineering or Business Administration.

Language Skills:

• Excellent command of the English language is essential.

Remuneration and Contract:

We offer an attractive remuneration package including a competitive salary (tax free), comprehensive pension scheme and medical, educational and other social benefits, as well as financial help in relocating your family and the possibility to place your child/children in daycare.

The initial contract is for a period of three years with the possibility of a fixed-term or indefinite extension based on technical and managerial achievements. The grade may be subject to change according to qualification and the number of years of experience.

Duty Station:

Garching near Munich, Germany

Career Path:

V

Starting Date:

As soon as possible

Application:

If you are interested in working in areas of frontline technology and in a stimulating international environment, please visit (http://www.eso.org) for further details. You are also strongly encouraged to consult the E-ELT Home Page (http://eso.org/public/teles-instr/e-elt/; and http://www.eso.org/sci/facilities/eelt/docs/;)

Applicants are invited to apply online at http://recruitment.eso.org/. Applications must be completed in English and should include a motivation letter and CV. In your CV you should provide us with the names and contact details of three persons familiar with your work and willing to provide a recommendation letter on request.

Closing date for applications is 13 March 2015.

Interviews are expected to start soon after this date.

No nationality is in principle excluded. However, recruitment preference will be given to nationals of Austria, Belgium, Brazil, the Czech Republic, Denmark, Finland, France, Germany, Italy, the Netherlands, Poland, Portugal, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland and United Kingdom.

The post is equally open to suitably qualified female and male applicants.