Vacancy in the Directorate of Operations.

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.

This post is classified A5 on the Coordinated Organisations’ salary scale.

Location
ESOC, Darmstadt, Germany

Description

Under the direct authority of the Head of the Mission Operations Department, the Head of Solar System and Exploration Missions Division is responsible for the ground segment and mission operations implementation for the Solar and Planetary projects/missions.

Duties

In this function you work closely and directly with the Project/Mission Managers of these missions and ensures implementation of the services in accordance with agreed budget and schedule.

In addition, you define and maintain interfaces for the scientific mission operations with the respective divisions of the Science Operations Department.

The Head of Solar System and Exploration Missions Division represents the Project/Mission Managers in all project related management issues at ESOC and is responsible for all formal interface aspects between the ESOC ground segment implementation activities and the project management, including decisions related to all interface questions concerning ESOC.

Your tasks and responsibilities will include:
In carrying out the duties you are assisted by project dedicated Spacecraft Operations Managers and Flight Control Teams responsible for:

defining ground segment implementation requirements based on overall mission and project requirements;
establishing a ground segment system and mission operations concept and architecture of the support facilities;
managing the programmatic aspects of the ground segment system including all cost and schedule related matters;
coordinating the implementation, integration and validation of the ground segment system;
defining, planning and executing all in-flight operations from launch, through in-flight commissioning to routine mission operations until end of mission.

You are also responsible for managing and coordinating, on behalf of the Department Head, the ESA-NASA Cross-Support Agreement activities in close coordination with Head of the Ground Facilities Operations Division.

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

Technical competencies

Very good knowledge of operations and relevant working and costing methods is essential

Experience in the management of implementing mission operations, including direct experience in preparation and execution of critical and routine mission operations

Knowledge of the internal operations of ESA, and in particular ESOC working and costing methods

Knowledge and experience of ground segment and simulators requirement definition

Knowledge of the interfaces with the different internal and international partners like ESA Science and ESA Human & Robotic Exploration directorate as well as NASA/JPL, JAXA, ISRO, CNES and DLR

Behavioural competencies

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

Education

A Master's degree in engineering, physics is required for this post.

Additional requirements

A demonstrated ability to synthesise and balance technical, quality and programmatic information is required as well as excellent cognitive and analytical skills.

As a general requirement for any position at managerial level within ESA, you are expected to have:

proven experience of leading, motivating and developing a team;
the ability to provide strategic direction to the individuals and teams within the Division 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 an asset, as is international experience, i.e. outside your home country, as well as experience in diverse functional areas relevant to ESA activities.

Other Information

For behavioural competencies expected from ESA staff in general, please refer to the ESA Competency Framework.

For further information please visit: Professionals, What we offer and FAQ

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.

Applicants must be eligible to access technology and hardware which is subject to European and US export control regulations.

The Agency may require applicants to undergo selection tests.

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 at contact.human.resources@esa.int.

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Please note that applications are only considered from nationals of one of the following States: Austria, Belgium, the Czech Republic, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Ireland, Italy, Luxembourg, the Netherlands, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Romania, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, the United Kingdom and Canada, Latvia, Lithuania, Slovakia and Slovenia.

According to the ESA Convention, the recruitment of staff must take into account an adequate distribution of posts among nationals of the ESA Member States*. When short-listing for an interview, priority will first be given to internal candidates and secondly to external candidates from under-represented Member States*.

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 conducted by an external background screening service.

*Member States, Associate Members or Cooperating States.

Head of the Solar System and Exploration Missions Division

Job description