Mission manager

Description

The European Space Agency maintains a world-leading Science Programme with missions in heliophysics, planetary science, astrophysics and fundamental physics. Its mission is to “Empower Europe to lead space science”.

The Science Operations Department, within ESA's Directorate of Science, hosts the scientists and engineers that oversee the space missions from study to end of operations. It develops the science operation systems for the missions and operates the missions in space, as well as archiving and curating their data during operations and beyond. Our main objective is to maximise the scientific output of the missions for the benefit of humankind.

The Mission Management and Science Operations Division is responsible for the mission management of all of the Directorate’s missions from the end of the commissioning phase to the end of the post-operations phase.

We are opening the position of Mission Manager under the direct responsibility of the Head of the Mission Management and Science Operations Division (in the Science Operations Department, with an initial assignment to the PLATO mission).

Duties

As Mission Manager, your main duties will entail:

• managing all operations aspects of the mission’s exploitation phase (E2) and post-operations phase (Phase F) within given programmatic and financial constraints; you will do so through the preparation and implementation of related budget and contractual plans, as well as the coordination and management of tasks delegated to other ESA divisions, departments and directorates, or outside ESA;
• managing the mission's science operations team and centre at ESA;
• overseeing the science ground segment and the association of cooperating centres involved in the science operations of the mission with the overall aim of maximising the scientific return;
• understanding the continuously evolving needs of the data users and adjusting the mission operations scenario accordingly to maximise the return on the mission;
• liaising with relevant programmatic, controlling, technical and scientific interfaces, including the Project Scientist, with the overall aim of ensuring the scientific productivity of the mission;
• actively supporting cross-cutting departmental activities where relevant for missions in operations;
• reporting to the Member States on all matters related to the mission's exploitation phase;
• as relevant, and operational workload permitting, pursuing personal scientific research.

Once the PLATO mission has been handed over to the Science Operations Department and its operations are stabilised, you will take over the functional management of the CHEOPS Mission Representative, addressing where relevant:

• the exploitation of synergies between PLATO and CHEOPS across science operations both in flight and on ground;
• the simplification of external and internal interfaces, in particular with cross-mission groups within the Science Operations Department structure;
• the definition of a coherent approach within the section as input for the development and maintenance of the services and operational infrastructure serving the missions;
• the maximisation of the scientific return by fostering cross-mission data exploitation.

The required managerial duties include:

• taking responsibility for delivering team results;
• providing direction, including the planning and distribution of team members' activities ensuring a sustainable workload for all staff;
• reviewing individual performance against set objectives through the annual assessment exercise and by providing timely and regular constructive feedback;
• creating a motivating work environment and promoting good team spirit;
• supporting team members with ongoing professional development by encouraging learning and delegating responsibilities;
• identifying, assessing, managing and reporting the health and safety risks in your area of responsibility.

You will further assist the Head of Division with other activities as required.

Technical competencies

Behavioural competencies

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

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

Education

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

Additional requirements

The following are further assets for this position:

• the potential to manage individuals or a team;
• the ability to organise their activities and ensure a motivating work environment;
• strong leadership capabilities, with proven relationship management and communication skills;
• the ability to drive your team’s performance, developing your people by encouraging learning, delegating responsibility and giving regular and constructive feedback;
• strong problem-solving skills to deal with day-to-day operational challenges, together with demonstrated planning and organisational skills;
• strong results orientation with the ability to set priorities and present practical solutions both orally and in writing;
• the ability to manage challenging situations proactively and constructively and to be customer focused;
• 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;
• a PhD or equivalent degree in physics, space science or a closely affiliated research field.