National Projects and ERS-EO Clusters Manager

About the role

As National Projects and European Resilience from Space – Earth Observation (ERS-EO) Manager, you will report to the ERS-EO Programme Manager within the Earth Observation Projects Department and be responsible for the implementation of clusters (ALPSTAR and ESCA+) in the ERS-EO programme and National Projects (third-party programmes with Spain, Poland and Greece).

You will liaise closely with the national ministries of defence and national space agencies to steer the various projects, and with the main departments of the Directorate of Earth Observation Programmes to implement them.

The activities under your responsibility will be carried out by multifunctional teams (such as contract, project control, security or engineering) and dedicated Project Managers who will report to you.

You will also hold the role of ESCA+ Project Manager and be in charge of directly managing the main ERS-EO cluster.

Duties

• Ensuring that the projects under your responsibility are completed in line with the schedule, specifications and budget.
• Optimising the coherence of the clusters with the EOGS to ensure that they might contribute to the overall system with compatible interfaces and operational concepts.
• Optimising the costs of the projects within the specified constraints (performances, schedule and geo-return).
• Ensuring that the operational nature of the projects is reflected in the design, operational concept and transition to final operators in order to achieve the robust, cost-efficient and timely delivery of products.
• Interfacing with a number of national and European partners (such as the European Commission, national ministries of defence and national space agencies) for the purpose of implementing your projects.
• Reporting internally and externally to high-level delegate bodies (Earth Observation Programme Board or steering committees).

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

Technical competencies

• Multidisciplinary and comprehensive knowledge and experience of satellite design, development, verification/testing, launch and in-orbit validation
• Proven experience of managing the development of space projects
• Knowledge of matters relating to industrial costs and schedules
• Complex project risk management processes
• Familiarity with procurement
• Knowledge of EO space mission operations and operations planning
• Knowledge of specific characteristics of military and dual use space systems

Behavioural competencies

• Result Orientation
• Operational Efficiency
• Fostering Cooperation
• Relationship Management
• Continuous Improvement
• Forward Thinking

Education

A master's degree in engineering or a scientific discipline is required for this post.

Additional requirements

• The ability to summarise complex information as well as good communication skills, both verbal and written.
• Knowledge of handling restricted or classified information.
• The ability to work effectively in an international team environment.
• Proven experience of leading, motivating and developing a team in a project environment.
• The ability to provide strategic direction to the individuals and teams within projects 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 and international experience would be an asset, including outside your home country, as would experience in diverse functional areas relevant to ESA activities.

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

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

Important information

Applicants must be eligible to access information, technology, and hardware which is subject to European or US export control and sanctions regulations and eligible to acquire the security clearance by their national security administrations.

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

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, Latvia, Lithuania and Slovakia.

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.