Job Description

Senior Program Controller, IRIS2

The job responsibilities outlined in this document are not exhaustive and may evolve over time and be reviewed according to business needs.

PROGRAM DESCRIPTION

IRIS2 is the new European Union secure satellite constellation, providing secure connectivity services to the EU, its Member States, governmental users, private companies and European citizens. SES – together with other consortium partners – was selected by the European Commission to build and operate the IRIS2 multi-orbit satellite constellation.

Program leadership owns the P&L, schedule, WBS and delivery; finance provides business partnering and independent control. The IRIS2 finance team, led by the VP, IRIS2 Finance, runs two workstreams: revenue and cash, and a separate cost control workstream. This role leads cost control as the program enters its next phase.

ROLE DESCRIPTION SUMMARY

Reporting to the VP, IRIS2 Finance, the Sr. Program Controller IRIS2 leads the cost control workstream of the SES IRIS2 finance team, working alongside the revenue and cash workstream. Working closely with SES IRIS2 program leadership and the Integrated Project Team (IPT), the incumbent tracks costs against the baseline, maintains the cost-to-complete and Estimate at Completion (EAC), and acts as day-to-day financial advisor to the project leads. As IRIS2 is a firm fixed price development program, the role helps protect contract margin by giving an independent view of cost performance, flagging variances and risks early, and quantifying the cost impact of change requests. The incumbent also provides the cost inputs for closing and revenue recognition, and prepares, organizes and supports grantor, ESA/EU and other internal and external cost audits.

PRIMARY RESPONSIBILITIES / KEY RESULT AREAS

• Cost control and EAC: Lead the monthly cost-to-complete and EAC for the SES IRIS2 scope with Project Managers, reconciling technical progress and schedule status with costs, and explain all movements to the VP, IRIS2 Finance.
• Baseline and WBS: Provide financial support to the cost baseline and WBS, keeping work package budgets aligned with the program’s allocations, and monitor OPEX, labor and subcontractor costs against them.
• Risk and contingency: Maintain the cost risk and opportunity register with quantified exposure, and track contingency and management reserve against the firm fixed price.
• Monthly controlling: Collect and review program costs, subcontractor costs and timesheets, investigate irregularities and propose improvements. Ensure accurate project accounting and timely reclassifications.
• Changes and claims: Quantify the cost impact of change requests, scope changes and claims, and work with the revenue and cash workstream on pricing and negotiations with the grantor, consortium partners and subcontractors.
• Forecasting and FP&A: Consolidate cost inputs for the IRIS2 forecast, budget and long-term plan, and support business and investment analysis.
• Accounting Closing: Provide cost actuals, accruals and EAC inputs to the revenue and cash workstream and to Accounting & Reporting for month-end and year-end closing and revenue recognition.
• Controls, audit and compliance: Apply the finance methods, controls and SOX procedures defined for IRIS2, keep documentation audit-ready, and act as point of contact for cost submissions and audits under ESA/EU and grantor contracts.
• Reporting and tools: Maintain cost KPIs and dashboards for the IRIS2 IPT, work with IT on ERP and reporting automation, and ensure data quality and the appropriate handling of confidential and EU classified information.
• Collaboration: Work closely with program leadership and the Project Management Office, Accounting & Reporting, Procurement (purchasing controls), IT, and Tax, Legal and Security on compliance.

COMPETENCIES

• Strong analytical and problem-solving skills, with a practical, structured and solution-oriented approach
• Strong data skills and ability to navigate different systems
• Strong attention to detail and an integrity and control mindset
• Excellent planning and organizational skills, able to set priorities and deliver on time
• Clear communicator, able to explain financial matters to non-finance stakeholders
• Excellent teamwork and cross-functional cooperation in a matrix environment
• Able to work with minimal supervision as well as in a collaborative, agile team

QUALIFICATIONS & EXPERIENCE

• Bachelor’s degree in Finance, Economics, Business Administration, Accounting, Engineering or a related discipline
• Minimum 5 years of experience in project control or program finance, ideally on aerospace, defense or large engineering programs
• Working knowledge of EAC, cost baseline control and earned value management on firm fixed price contracts is an advantage
• Experience with ESA, European Commission or other institutional programs and their audit requirements is desirable
• Expert user of MS Excel and Power BI (or similar)
• Experienced in the daily use of an ERP (e.g., SAP) and PMO tools
• Fluency in English; any other European language is an asset

OTHER KEY REQUIREMENTS / COMMENTS

• EU 27 nationality required or ability to obtain residency and security clearances for the IRIS2 program
• Eligibility for ESA/EU SECRET personnel security clearances is essential. Candidates must be prepared to undergo a security clearance procedure, as this position may require holding such a clearance

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