Description

Head of the CSG Operations and Kourou Office Division (STS-IG), reporting to the Head of the Infrastructure and Value Chain Department (STS-I) within the Directorate of Space Transportation (STS), with a functional reporting line to the Director of Space Transportation for strategic matters.

Duties

The Division is responsible for overseeing, coordinating and monitoring infrastructure, operational support and associated activities at Europe’s Spaceport in French Guiana (CSG). The Division ensures that spaceport infrastructure, common assets and supporting services remain available, safe, compliant and fit for current and future launch operations.
ESA provides significant funding for infrastructure, facilities and operational activities at CSG. These activities are implemented by CNES for range-related functions, and by industrial stakeholders for launcher and propellant production, integration and launch operations. The Division is responsible for representing ESA’s interests and ensuring the effective implementation, monitoring and optimisation of ESA-funded programmes, contracts and investments.
The spaceport is currently undergoing a major transformation through modernisation and adaptation programmes aimed at improving efficiency, resilience and sustainability, while accommodating an increasing diverse range of launch services and space transportation systems. The Division contributes to defining and implementing the long-term evolution strategy for the spaceport and its infrastructure, ensuring alignment with the future needs of European space transportation programmes.
As Head of the ESA Office in Kourou, you will act as ESA’s senior representative in French Guiana and ensure effective coordination with local and national authorities, institutional partners, industrial stakeholders and the wider space community. You will also be responsible for ESA’s external relations, communication and outreach activities in the territory.
In this role, you will contribute to maintaining and developing Europe’s Spaceport in French Guiana as a modern, efficient, sustainable and competitive multi-user spaceport supporting Europe’s long term access to space.

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 and professional experience

A master's degree in engineering, aerospace engineering, systems engineering, physics, industrial engineering or another relevant discipline is required for this post together with a minimum of 15 years of relevant professional experience.

Additional requirements

• Substantial experience in the management of complex infrastructure, engineering or operational activities, preferably within the space sector.
• Proven experience of leading, motivating and developing a multi-disciplinary team in the context of complex technical infrastructure projects.
• 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 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.

Additionally:

• Proven ability to drive performance, promote accountability and support the professional development of staff through coaching, delegation, empowerment and constructive feedback.
• Demonstrated ability to manage change and contribute to organisational transformation in a large and complex organisation.
• Strong planning and organisational skills, with the ability to prioritise activities, manage competing demands and deliver results in a dynamic operational environment.
• Proven ability to represent the Agency’s interests effectively in dealings with external stakeholders, including public authorities, institutional partners, industry and international organisations.
• Strong customer and service orientation, with the ability to manage challenging situations proactively, constructively and diplomatically.
• Excellent interpersonal skills and the ability to work effectively in a multicultural and international environment; experience in the management of multidisciplinary teams and stakeholders in an international environment is required.
• Demonstrated ability to operate effectively in a complex institutional environment and to maintain constructive relationships with public authorities, industrial partners and international stakeholders.