ESTEC Real Estate and Facilities Management Site Manager

Description

ESTEC Real Estate and Facilities Management Site Manager, REFM Division A, Real Estate and Facilities Management (REFM) Department, Directorate of Resources and Services.

As the ESTEC REFM Site Manager, you will be responsible for the tactical and operational management and delivery of all REFM activities at the European Space Research and Technology Centre (ESTEC).

Alongside other site managers across Europe, you will be a member of the REFM Leadership Team, led by the Head of Department with the Heads of Division, who are responsible for optimising REFM deliverables across sites by establishing a common set of strategic objectives, guidelines, performance and quality management systems, optimised methods and processes, planning and coordination, and governance and reporting in a cross-cutting (matrix) departmental structure. Your role will require that you work closely with the Leadership Team to address the overlapping responsibilities of a matrix organisation and ensure consistency across the ESA sites.

The Real Estate and Facilities Management Department is responsible for eight sites across Europe, with a total of approximately 250,000sqm of working space as well as technical facilities, and a population of over 7,000 employees.

ESTEC is the largest of the ESA sites, with a total of approximately 130,000sqm of working space, the largest European satellite test centre, numerous laboratories and technical facilities, a conference centre, and various general-purpose facilities, with over 3,500 employees.

Duties

Reporting to the Head of REFM Division A, you will define, propose and implement the full range of agreed REFM services in accordance with relevant ESA policies, resource availability and the requirements expressed by the Head of Establishment and other on-site customers while ensuring consistency with the Agency’s common approach to facilities management.

You will be responsible for managing a large team, as well as a variety of contracted FM services, with an operating budget responsibility exceeding €30m per year. In this role, you will be required to deliver the strategic oversight of the site by applying your competencies and skills in a wide variety of domains: people management, compliance, crisis management and business continuity, maintenance and operations, asset management, capital and operating planning and expenditure.

Your responsibilities will include:

• ensuring that the site's functioning and services align with the REFM strategic decisions endorsed by the Senior Leadership Team, and proactively contributing to shaping REFM strategic decisions;
• developing strong relationships with and providing leadership to the REFM ESTEC service managers and operational teams to enhance service delivery and optimal support to ESTEC users;
• developing effective interfaces and a sound working relationship, within REFM's remit, with:
  • the ESA directorates on site, including by representing REFM in various local committees, as well as the ESTEC Staff Association Committee;
  • the Dutch local entities responsible for the provision and oversight of zoning plans and related permissions, policing, fire and rescue services, and safety and environmental compliance;
• providing specialist advice to the Head of Establishment, in particular with respect to compliance with applicable legislation and ESA policies and support in interfacing with relevant national stakeholders, as well as with respect to Establishment-wide crisis management and business continuity;
• driving compliance in terms of the site's industrial safety management, identifying, managing and reporting on the safety and environmental and physical security risks, within REFM's remit, in compliance with national legislation and ESA policies and regulations, and initiating and/or coordinating related audits and inspections and prevention exercises, for example;
• overseeing preparation and conclusion, objective-setting and performance management for customer SLAs for the provision of utilities and common physical infrastructure and, as mandated, programme-dedicated infrastructure, as well as FM services, in accordance with specifically agreed customer requirements, and associated budgetary and work plans;

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• overseeing resource management, including preparation and leadership of recruitment or contracting processes, as applicable, objective-setting and performance management for the ESTEC team of staff and contractors, as well as for a variety of contracted FM services for the:
  • maintenance and operation of all common physical infrastructure and, as mandated, programme­ dedicated infrastructure;
  • provision of facilities services, such as catering, cleaning, general services and internal and external logistics, such as storage, transportation and customs handling;
  • provision of physical security and event coordination services delivered at ESTEC through local implementation of the corresponding corporate contracts;
  • provision of the management activities relating to the working environment, such as activity-based office accommodation, and general-purpose infrastructure and facilities, responding to ESA's programmatic requirements;
• overseeing a local Project Management Office (PMO) for small construction and refurbishment projects for REFM and, as mandated, programme-dedicated infrastructure.

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

Technical competencies

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

A master's degree in a relevant discipline is required for this post.

Additional requirements

• Team leadership, with the ability to lead and motivate a team, ensuring that each member is engaged and productive;
• Strong leadership capabilities, with proven relationship management and communication skills;
• Strong problem-solving skills to deal with day-to-day operational challenges, together with demonstrated planning and organisational skills;
• A strong result orientation with the ability to set priorities and present practical solutions both orally and in writing;
• Effective delegation skills to ensure that tasks are assigned appropriately and team members are empowered to take ownership of their responsibilities;
• Performance management: skills in setting clear performance expectations and conducting performance reviews, with the ability to drive your team's performance, developing your people by encouraging learning, delegating responsibility and giving regular and constructive feedback;
• Conflict resolution: proficiency in resolving conflicts within the team in a constructive manner;
• The ability to manage challenging situations proactively and constructively and to be customer-focused;
• Development and training: commitment to the professional development of team members through training, mentoring and growth opportunities.