Chief Digital and Information Officer (CDIO)

Chief Digital and Information Officer (CDIO)

Description

Under the direct authority of the Director of Internal Services, you will be responsible for developing ESA’s Digital and Information Technology (IT) Strategy and for the management of the department in charge of its implementation. You will also be responsible for the provision of optimised ESA business and management system IT applications and services. Moreover, you will be expected to unlock the full potential offered by the pooling of IT resources, in particular for ESA’s space and ground system IT, in full collaboration with all ESA directorates. In this capacity, you will also have access to the Director General.

Duties

• Develop, coordinate and implement the ESA IT strategy in such a manner that reflects and connects the ESA business and management system IT and the space and ground system IT domains.
• Generate corresponding architectures and work plans for ESA as a data- and information-driven space agency.
• Fulfil the IT needs of ESA and its directorates by fostering the integration of digital technologies and digital innovation in close interaction with industrial and institutional partners.
• Manage the department in charge of procuring, implementing, operating and continuously enhancing ESA’s:
  • business and management IT applications, services and infrastructure
  • communication applications, services and infrastructure
  • IT and cyber security applications, services and infrastructure
  • business and management end user services and infrastructure
• Improve the effectiveness of ESA IT by increasing the sharing of IT infrastructure, broadening IT competences and utilising innovative cost models, for instance by adopting COTS products and services.
• Ensure the cost effectiveness and end-to-end financial sustainability of all ESA IT activities.
• Engage systematically with owners of ESA processes intended for digitalisation to ensure full coherence with the ESA IT strategy and the harmonisation and optimisation of such processes.
• Ensure all ESA IT solutions and services are in line with the ESA Security Directives.
• Coordinate the pooling of IT activities with all ESA directorates based on transparency and collaboration.
• Support directorates in their space and ground system IT activities.
• Expand tried and tested examples of pooled space and ground system IT resources into unified ESA-wide solutions, such as for data and information access, platforms and automated operations.
• Continuously drive the ESA IT Transformation in the context of the overall ESA Transformation process through establishing appropriate processes and ESA-wide coordination.
• Chair the ESA Digital Steering Committee (DSC) as the central entity guiding, supporting, coordinating and overseeing the evolution and implementation of the ESA IT Strategy.
• Report regularly to the ESA Executive Board on the evolution and implementation of the ESA IT Strategy and progress towards the ambitious but realistic vision of a Digital ESA.

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

Technical competencies

• Experience in complex IT application and service development and operations management
• Ability to translate IT experience into a coherent IT Strategy and to ensure its implementation
• Experience in the service-oriented onboarding of a diverse stakeholder and customer community
• Knowledge of business process change and improvement management

Behavioural competencies

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

Education

A master’s degree in engineering, data science or physical science with a strong IT focus is required.

Additional requirements

In addition, you should have:

• at least 10 years of experience in a similar IT leadership position;
• proven experience of leading, motivating and developing a team;
• the ability to provide strategic direction to the individuals and teams within the department and to relate team objectives to the overall, evolving organisational goals and context;
• the ability to foster cooperation within and across teams throughout the organisation;
• demonstrated excellent leadership, relationship management and communication skills, both oral and written;
• 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 and 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. 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, beliefs, age, disability or other characteristics. Applications from women are encouraged.

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

Applicants must be eligible to acquire the security clearance by their national security administrations. 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.

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.