Job Description

This is a fixed-term appointment with an initial duration of 4 years. Depending upon performance and organisational needs, the appointment may be extended up to a possible maximum duration of 8 years.

Location

ESTEC, Noordwijk, Netherlands

Description

Head of the CFO Digital Transformation Office (RES-IF), Digital, Data and Information Technology Department, Directorate of Resources and Services.

Under the direct authority of the Chief Digital Information Officer (CDIO), you will be responsible for steering and assuming accountability for the Digital, Data and IT contribution to the CFO digital transformation of ESA's Finance, Controlling and Procurement domains, in close partnership with the Directorate of Controlling, Finance and Operational Procurement (D/CFO), ensuring end-to-end coherence of processes, systems and data, and the successful delivery and long-term sustainability of the CFO application portfolio, including the Agency-wide S/4HANA transformation programme, as a key enabler of financial transparency, performance and decision making at Agency level.

Duties

Your tasks and responsibilities will include:

1. CFO Digital Domain Leadership and Strategic Alignment

• Define, own and be accountable for the Digital, Data and IT contribution to the CFO digital transformation of Finance, Controlling and Procurement, in alignment with CFO Directorate priorities
• Act as the CDIO-side accountable partner to the CFO Directorate, ensuring digital transformation initiatives support business objectives while respecting CFO ownership of policies, processes and outcomes
• Translate CFO priorities into an integrated Digital, Data and IT roadmap supporting CFO digital transformation and aligned with Agency strategy
• Support executive-level alignment and decision-making on transformation direction and trade-off

1. Governance, Decision Framing and Transformation Oversight

• Establish and operate a Digital, Data and IT governance framework supporting CFO digital transformation
• Prepare, frame and drive decision-making within governance bodies on scope, priorities, investments and risks
• Ensure compliance with ESA financial, procurement and programme frameworks in coordination with the CFO Directorate
• Provide consolidated oversight of Digital, Data and IT aspects of transformation performance (progress, risks, dependencies and value realisation)

1. Leadership of the CFO Digital Transformation Office

• Establish, lead and develop the Office within RES-I
• Lead multidisciplinary teams (internal and external), ensuring effective mobilisation, delivery discipline and collaboration across business and IT
• Ensure clear accountability structures across all contributors to CFO digital transformation initiatives, including partners and suppliers
• Ensure the overall performance and delivery accountability of the Office
• Foster a collaborative, federated working model with the CFO Directorate and stakeholders

1. End-to-End Coherence of Processes, Systems and Data

• Ensure end-to-end coherence of digital solutions supporting CFO processes across architecture, systems integration, data flows and governance
• Act as the accountable authority within Digital, Data and IT for solution integrity and alignment with enterprise architecture
• Establish and oversee data governance for CFO digital assets, in coordination with CFO ownership of data definitions and controls
• Ensure delivery of consistent, reliable and decision-grade financial information

1. CFO Application Portfolio Ownership

• Own and manage the lifecycle of the CFO application portfolio within Digital, Data and IT
• Drive the evolution, modernisation and rationalisation of CFO systems in partnership with the CFO Directorate
• Ensure integration and coherence within the broader ESA Digital, Data and IT landscape
• Lead and support prioritisation and sequencing of initiatives, balancing business value, risk and resource constraints

1. CFO Digital Transformation Delivery and Execution Accountability

• Exercise accountability for the Digital, Data and IT delivery within CFO digital transformation initiatives, including the Agency-wide S/4HANA transformation programme, ensuring successful implementation from design through stabilisation
• Oversee execution against scope, schedule, cost and quality targets
• Manage risks, issues and dependencies, ensuring timely escalation and resolution
• Ensure continuity of critical business operations, particularly during transition and system coexistence

1. Stakeholder Partnership and Enterprise Coordination

• Act as the primary Digital, Data and IT interface to the CFO Directorate for Digital, Data and IT aspects of CFO digital transformation
• Coordinate across directorates and IT domains, managing interdependencies while respecting ownership boundaries
• Enable effective collaboration and shared accountability between business and IT stakeholders
• Support engagement with governance bodies, including preparation of decision proposals

1. Change Leadership and Adoption Support

• Co-lead, with the CFO Directorate, the digital and process-related organisational change associated with CFO digital transformation
• Ensure the integration of change management, training and adoption mechanisms
• Support the development of user capabilities and communities for sustainable use of systems
• Promote the effective use of digital, data and AI capabilities in support of CFO objectives

1. Transition to Sustainable Operations

• Define and enable the transition of Digital, Data and IT transformation components to stable operations
• Ensure readiness of the target operating model (governance, processes, roles and capabilities)
• Support handover to operational entities, ensuring continuity of service and knowledge transfer
• Enable continuous improvement of CFO digital capabilities beyond transformation

Your impact or contribution will include:

• Direct impact on the integrity and digital enablement of ESA’s financial, procurement and controlling systems, through Digital, Data and IT solutions supporting CFO digital transformation
• Significant contribution to Agency‑level financial transparency and decision‑making, through reliable and integrated information
• High impact on operational continuity and risk, particularly during the execution of CFO digital transformation, including the S/4HANA transformation programme
• Long-term impact on efficiency, scalability and standardisation of ESA’s corporate Digital, Data and IT landscape
• Contribution to improved procurement performance, including reduction of “time to contract” through digital enablement and process optimisation

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

Technical competencies

Strong understanding of financial, controlling and procurement processes, and their digital enablement in complex organisational environments

Proven experience in large‑scale enterprise transformation programmes, including ERP (e.g. SAP ECC / S/4HANA), from strategy through delivery

Experience in defining and implementing enterprise IT strategies, architectures and roadmaps within an international context

Good understanding of system integration, data governance and digital technologies supporting corporate application landscapes

Experience managing complex delivery ecosystems, including vendors and system integrators

Proven track record of leading multidisciplinary teams in complex transformation environments

Ability to define strategic direction and align diverse stakeholders across business and IT domains

Strong stakeholder management, communication and influencing skills at senior level

Excellent analytical and problem-solving capabilities, with sound judgement in handling complexity, risks and trade-offs

Behavioural competencies

Result Orientation

Operational Efficiency

Fostering Cooperation

Relationship Management

Continuous Improvement

Forward Thinking

For more information, please refer to the ESA Core Behavioural Competencies guidebook

Education and professional experience

A master’s degree in a relevant domain is required for this post together with at least 10 years of relevant professional experience. Alternatively, candidates with a bachelor’s degree, complemented by an additional four (4) years of relevant professional experience may be considered.

Additional requirements

• Experience in:
• strategic leadership;
• complex decision-making;
• executive stakeholder management;
• risk and crisis management.
• Proven experience of leading, motivating and developing a team of experts and delivery personnel for ERP and related applications in a large-scale transformation programme environment.
• The ability to provide strategic direction to the individuals and teams within the CFO Digital Transformation Office and to relate team objectives to the overall, evolving organisational goals and context.
• The ability to drive performance and foster cooperation within and across teams throughout the organisation.
• Demonstrated excellent leadership, relationship management and communication skills, both oral and written.
• A proven track record of representing the Agency’s interests to external interfaces.
• Excellent cognitive, analytical, delegation, planning and organisational skills.
• The ability to anticipate problems, solve complex issues and relate situations to their context.
• The ability to reach solution-oriented, pragmatic and timely decisions of a high standard and with integrity as well as to support others (team members, upper management, other stakeholders) in this process.

People management experience is required, international experience is an asset, including outside your home country, as well as experience in diverse functional areas relevant to ESA activities.

Mobility is inherent to management functions and this position may be subject to rotation.

Therefore, mobility opportunities may be offered to you as part of your career evolution at ESA, starting after approximately five years in this role.

Diversity, Equity and Inclusiveness

ESA is an equal opportunity employer, committed to achieving diversity within the workforce and creating an inclusive working environment. We therefore welcome applications from all qualified candidates irrespective of gender, sexual orientation, ethnicity, religious beliefs, age, disability or other characteristics.

At the Agency we value diversity, and we welcome people with disabilities. Whenever possible, we seek to accommodate individuals with disabilities by providing the necessary support at the workplace. The Human Resources Department can also provide assistance during the recruitment process. If you would like to discuss this further, please contact us via email at contact.human.resources@esa.int.

Important Information and Disclaimer

During the recruitment process, the Agency may request applicants to undergo selection tests. Additionally, successful candidates will need to undergo basic screening before appointment, which will be conducted by an external background screening service, in compliance with the European Space Agency's security procedures.

Note that ESA is in the process of transitioning to a Matrix setup, which could lead to organisational changes affecting this position.

The information published on ESA’s careers website regarding working conditions is correct at the time of publication. It is not intended to be exhaustive and may not address all questions you would have.

Nationality and Languages

Please note that applications are only considered from nationals of one of the following States: Austria, Belgium, Czechia, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Ireland, Italy, Luxembourg, the Netherlands, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Romania, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, the United Kingdom and Canada, Cyprus, Latvia, Lithuania and Slovakia.

According to the ESA Convention, staff shall be recruited on the basis of their qualifications, taking into account an adequate distribution of posts among nationals of the Member States.

The working languages of the Agency are English and French. A good knowledge of one of these is required. Knowledge of another Member State language would be an asset.