Head of the Future Space Transportation Preparation Department

Location
ESA Headquarters Paris France

Description

Head of the Future Space Transportation Preparation Department reporting directly to the Director of Space Transportation.

As Head of the Future Space Transportation Preparation Department you will be a member of the Directorates management team and will participate in decision-making for all major activities covered by the Directorate.

You will be responsible for preparing future space transportation systems technologies and architectures in line with the strategy for the European space transportation sector. You will contribute to securing ESAs role in future space transportation infrastructure by establishing an end-to-end system view of ESAs space transportation activities.

Duties

Your duties will include:

• developing and motivating the members of the Department by assessing performance encouraging learning and development delegating responsibilities and providing regular and constructive feedback;
• developing future space transportation infrastructure architecture scenarios considering new technologies and the emergence of commercial systems;
• defining the high-level requirements for future ESA space transportation capabilities including high-thrust engines as input into their implementation;
• conducting system studies identifying and developing space transportation solutions relating to technology development needs and maintaining the related technology roadmaps;
• preparing new elements and follow-on activities of the Future Launchers Preparatory Programme (FLPP) and implementing the FLPP Core Element and the Themis/Reusability and Prometheus Elements;
• closely interfacing and cooperating with the European Launcher Challenge and Boost! programmes in the Directorate of Commercialisation and Industry Partnership to develop synergies;
• assessing the use of existing and future technologies and preparing programme proposals relating to space transportation building blocks;
• ensuring coordination with the departments responsible for infrastructure programmes and for the Vega and Ariane programmes as well as with the other ESA programmes relating to in-orbit services.

You will be assisted by project managers as well as by the Project Control and Management and System Support functions.

In carrying out your duties you will liaise closely with other departments and offices within the Directorate and will draw on the support of other ESA 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 technical knowledge of launch systems

Interaction with European space industry at the highest level

Project and technical management

Behavioural competencies

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

For more information please refer to the ESA Core Behavioural Competencies guidebook

Education and professional experience

A masters degree in an engineering domain is required for this post together with 15 years of relevant professional experience.

Additional requirements

You should have:

• experience of leading motivating and developing a team;
• the ability to provide strategic direction to individuals and teams and relate team objectives to the overall and evolving organisational goals and context;
• the ability to anticipate problems resolve complex issues and relate situations to their context and to support others such as team members senior management and other stakeholders in this process;
• previous experience of innovation and/or change management in a large organisation;
• 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 Agencys interests to external interfaces;
• excellent cognitive analytical delegation planning and organisational skills;
• the ability to make solution-oriented pragmatic and timely decisions of a high standard and with integrity.
  

People management experience is required international experience is an asset including outside your home country as well as 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 religious beliefs age disability or other characteristics.

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 .

Important Information and Disclaimer
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.
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 Agencys security procedures.

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

The information published on ESAs careers website regarding working conditions is correct at the time of publication. It is not intended to be exhaustive and may not address all questions you would have.

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 Cyprus Latvia Lithuania and Slovakia.

According to the ESA Convention staff shall be recruited on the basis of their qualifications taking into account an adequate distribution of posts among nationals of the Member States.

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.

Required Experience:

Director

Employment Type : Full Time
Experience: years
Vacancy: 1