Director of Space Operations

Location and Travel

This role is based at ESOC in Darmstadt, Germany, with regular travel to other European Space Agency (ESA) sites expected.

Role Overview

ESA seeks a visionary leader to direct its Directorate of Space Operations. This position involves overseeing the delivery of top-tier operational capabilities across all ESA programs, while advancing technology development, fostering innovation, and promoting standardisation in space operations. European space operations represent strategic assets requiring leadership beyond technical management, demanding a strategic mindset that supports cross-institutional coordination and effective engagement with stakeholders, aligning activities with ESA Member States and EU priorities.

Responsibilities

• Formulate a comprehensive ESA-wide strategy for space operations aligned with programmatic and stakeholder priorities.
• Lead efforts to enhance operational efficiency by adopting advanced technologies and cost-saving measures to ensure sustainable competitiveness and performance.
• Oversee both programme and support directorate components within ESA’s matrix organization:
  • Support component: manages flight operations preparation and execution for ESA and related missions including the engineering and operation of ground segments through mission lifecycles.
  • Programme component: directs space safety initiatives, operational services, and represents ESA on the Space Situational Awareness Programme Board; coordinates ESA-wide radio frequency management.
• Serve as Head of Establishment at ESOC, maintaining relations with local administrative authorities and overseeing health, safety, environmental, and security protocols onsite.
• Promote workforce wellbeing, motivation, professional growth, transparency, and inter-directorate collaboration.
• Manage health and safety risks within the Directorate responsibly.

Required Qualifications and Experience

• Advanced degree (master’s or higher), preferably in a technical or scientific field.
• Over ten years of leadership experience in senior executive roles managing large teams and significant budgets, ideally in international settings.
• Demonstrated extensive expertise in space operations and effective collaboration with international partners, agencies, and industry stakeholders.
• Proven skills in relationship management, negotiation, and influencing strategic decisions at high levels.
• Strong strategic vision with openness to disruptive technologies and transformational operational improvements.

Behavioral Competencies

• Forward-thinking leadership
• Results-driven approach
• Operational efficiency focus
• Fostering cooperation and collaboration
• Excellence in relationship management
• Commitment to continuous improvement

Additional Attributes

• Innovative mindset with capacity to lead change effectively.
• Ability to make pragmatic, timely, and high-integrity decisions supporting team members and stakeholders.
• Keen ambition to enhance quality while reducing costs and improving efficiency.

Equality and Inclusion

ESA encourages applications from individuals of all backgrounds irrespective of gender, ethnicity, religion, age, disability, or sexual orientation, promoting diversity and inclusiveness in the workforce.

Security and Eligibility

Applicants must be eligible to obtain national security clearance and undergo psychometric and other assessments as part of the selection process. Only nationals of specific European Member States are eligible to apply. The working languages are English and French; proficiency in either is required, and knowledge of additional ESA Member State languages is advantageous.