Deputy Head of Finance

Working closely with the Head of Finance, the Deputy Head of Finance will contribute to leading, overseeing and coordinating activities within the Finance Department across Garching and Santiago. The role focuses on ensuring the reliable delivery of core financial processes, contributing expertise to accounting and reporting, and actively participating in budgeting and financial planning. It combines a broad range of financial topics with hands-on responsibility for day-to-day finance activities and processes. The Deputy acts on behalf of the Head of Finance as required, within a clearly defined delegation framework.

Main Duties and Responsibilities:

• Working with the Head of Finance to coordinate and ensure the smooth execution of departmental activities across both locations, and acting as deputy
• Taking responsibility for defined areas of financial operations and reporting, ensuring accuracy, consistency and timeliness, and overseeing selected operational processes
• Playing an active role in the preparation and monitoring of annual budgets, as well as in medium- and long-term financial planning, and in contributing to financial statements and forecasts
• Taking ownership of financial analyses and the preparation of management reporting and decision-making materials, in close coordination with the Head of Finance
• Driving the implementation and further development of financial systems, including Oracle Fusion, to ensure efficient processes and appropriate internal controls
• Taking responsibility for the development, updating and documentation of internal financial policies and procedures, in coordination with the Head of Finance
• Supporting the management of staff within the department, in close alignment with the Head of Finance
• Taking responsibility for ad hoc financial analyses and projects as required

The duties for this position are not limited to the above, and a flexible approach, together with the ability to adapt, is essential

Reports to:

Head of Finance

Key Competences and Experience:

Essential Competences and Experience

• At least 5 years' experience in a finance function, with hands-on involvement in budgeting, financial planning and reporting in a complex or international environment
• Sound, hands-on knowledge of accounting standards, particularly IPSAS and/or IFRS, and their practical application
• Experience of budgeting cycles and financial planning processes, including active involvement in their preparation and follow-up
• Analytical and structured working style with attention to detail
• Excellent communication skills, as well as the ability to work effectively in a team
• High level of reliability, discretion and professional integrity
• Ability to collaborate effectively across teams and to work closely with the Head of Finance
• Sound negotiation skills and lateral leadership skills

Desirable Competences and Experience

• Experience in leading or coordinating a team
• Experience in ERP implementation or optimisation, including involvement in system roll-out, testing, or continuous improvement of financial processes
• Familiarity with data structures and databases, including experience with reporting and database tools such as SQL, Oracle EPM, IBM Cognos, or Microsoft Power BI, and proficiency in MS Excel, enabling the creation and development of reports

Qualifications:

A degree in Finance, Accounting, Economics or a related field is required. A professional qualification such as CPA, ACCA or equivalent would be an asset.

Language skills:

The position requires fluency in English. Knowledge of German and/or Spanish would be an asset.

Remuneration and Contract:

We offer an attractive remuneration package including a competitive salary (free of income tax for applicants from ESO member states), comprehensive pension scheme and medical, educational and other social benefits, as well as financial help in relocating your family and support to place your child/children in daycare.

Our Salary Structure

ESO's salary structure is based upon a range of career paths which reflect the nature and level of our jobs. Each career path is made up of two or three grades which are used to further reflect experience.

Please follow this attached link for more details https://www.eso.org/public/jobs/conditions/intstaff/salary-structure/

ESO aims to support members of personnel in maintaining a good work-life balance (https://www.eso.org/public/jobs/conditions/intstaff/#work-life-balance) between their professional and private life. ESO is also committed to offering family-friendly support (https://www.eso.org/public/jobs/conditions/intstaff/#family-friendly-support), creating a work environment and policies which allow staff to balance their professional and private responsibilities through flexible working arrangements and financial support for families.

The contract is for a fixed term duration of three years and is subject to successful completion of the probation period. There may be a possibility of extension(s) subject to individual performance and organisational requirements, and as defined in the applicable policies and staff rules and regulations. For any further information, please visit ESO's conditions of employment (https://www.eso.org/public/jobs/conditions/). Please note that the contract policy and in particular the regulations concerning fixed-term and indefinite contracts are currently under review which may lead to changes in the contractual conditions applicable to this position.

Duty Station:

ESO Headquarters at Garching near Munich, Germany, with occasional business trips to Chile.

The role is based on-site at ESO and relocation to the duty station area is required. Staff at ESO benefit from a mobile working policy that allows for limited hybrid working for work-life balance purposes.

Career Path: V

Application:

If you are interested in working in areas of frontline science and technology and in a stimulating international environment, please visit http://www.eso.org for further details.

Applicants are invited to apply online at http://jobs.eso.org/. Applications must be completed in English and should include a motivation letter and CV. Within your CV, please provide the names and contact details of three persons familiar with your work and willing to provide a recommendation letter upon request. Referees will not be contacted without your prior consent.

Deadline for applications is 31 July 2026.

Interviews are expected to start soon after this date.