Director of Navigation

Director of Navigation at the European Space Agency (ESA)

About ESA

The European Space Agency (ESA) is Europe's gateway to space. Its mission is to shape the development of Europe's space capability and ensure that investment in space continues to deliver benefits to the citizens of Europe and the world. ESA’s annual budget for 2025 is 7.7 billion Euro, with a workforce of 6449 comprising staff and contractors.

You will report to the Director General and will be responsible for contributing to ESA-wide management as a member of the ESA Executive Board, supporting the Director General in his responsibilities in the pursuit of ESA's overall objectives, fostering efficiency, and ensuring compliance with the applicable regulatory framework.

The Directorate of Navigation has a workforce of around 300 staff and contractors spread across various ESA sites and an annual budget of about €1 billion.

Description

In the framework of the ESA matrix organisation comprising programme directorates and support directorates, and under delegation from the Director General, you will be responsible for the definition, planning and execution of the Agency’s Navigation programmes, consistent with ESA Strategy 2040 and taking into account the worldwide environment and its main actors: space agencies, manufacturing and service industry, science communities, satellite operators, public and private stakeholders, and customers, as well as the European Union and the European Union Agency for the Space Programme (EUSPA) as major partners and funding entities for navigation programmes.

This includes Galileo and EGNOS Development, Deployment and Support to Exploitation Phases and the Horizon Europe Programme as delegated by the European Commission and EUSPA to ESA in accordance with the applicable Financial Framework Partnership Agreement (FFPA).

Additionally, it includes the Navigation Innovation and Support Programme (NAVISP), the FutureNAV programme, and any other navigation-related activities at ESA such as those carried out in collaboration with other ESA programme directorates.

You will liaise with external entities (Member State delegations, European Commission), industry (space and non-space), academia, international partners, and other stakeholder organisations, as required.

You will actively work to ensure the well-being, motivation, training and career progression of your Directorate workforce, incentivising a spirit of initiative, transparency, information flow and coordination with other directorates.

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

Technical competencies

• Strong knowledge of the key stakeholders in navigation in Europe and worldwide
• A well-established network and a deep understanding of challenges and opportunities in navigation
• A good understanding of the institutional context comprising ESA and EU Member States, the European Commission, EUSPA and industry
• More than 10 years’ experience in senior management positions at executive level and in the management of teams and programmes of significant size in terms of budget and human resources preferably in an international context
• In-depth knowledge of and experience in the navigation field, preferably acquired in an international setting and including close cooperation with partner organisations
• Proven experience in business management, e.g. ability to develop innovative strategies to increase operational efficiency, being open to disruptive innovation and new concepts and strategies
• Building strong relationships with key stakeholders to drive successful business outcomes

Behavioural competencies

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

Education

Applicants for this post should have at least a master’s, preferably in a technical or scientific subject.

Additional requirements

Key qualities required for the post are an innovative spirit and a strategically oriented mind, a proven capacity to lead change and manage people and teams, excellent relationship management, negotiation skills and the ability to influence high-level decisions.

In addition, you should have:

• the ability to provide strategic direction to the individuals and teams and to relate team objectives to the overall, evolving organisational goals and context;
• demonstrated excellent leadership, relationship management and communication 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.

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. 🛰️

Important Information and Disclaimer
Applicants must be eligible to acquire the security clearance by their national security administrations.

Please note that applicants will be required to undergo psychometric testing and other assessments, and, if invited for interview, asked to provide references.
In accordance with the European Space Agency's security procedures and as part of the selection process, successful candidates will be required to undergo basic screening before appointment.

For further information: directorsrecruitment@esa.int

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 and the United Kingdom.

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.