ESA recruits for Director of Connectivity and Secure Communications and Director of Internal Services

Director of Connectivity and Secure Communications

As Director of Connectivity and Secure Communications, you will be responsible for ESA’s satellite telecommunication programmes, namely the implementation of the full portfolio of ARTES 4.0 projects in partnership with European and Canadian industries and operators and developing the programme’s commercial nature. You will also be responsible for strategic programme lines related to 5G/6G non-terrestrial network integration, secure communications and quantum/optical technologies. Under the direct authority of the Director General, you will contribute to ESA-wide management and as Head of the ESA establishment in the UK (ECSAT), you will be responsible for relations with the administrative authorities of the host country for on-site health, safety, environmental and security provisions.

You should have in-depth knowledge and experience in similar functions, preferably acquired in an international industrial or telecom operator setting. You should have experience in the definition, promotion and execution of satellite telecommunication systems, the development of innovative projects and initiatives in telecommunications and business applications, and management of relations with different stakeholders, including in a competitive industrial environment and in Public Private Partnerships.

With a workforce of around 200 staff and contractors spread over four different ESA establishments and managing an annual budget of around 700 million Euro, excellent team leadership skills, an innovative spirit and a strategically oriented mind are essential qualities for this role.

This position is based at the European Centre for Space Applications and Telecommunications (ECSAT), Harwell (United Kingdom).

For the detailed job profile and requirements, click here. Apply by 7 June 2023.

Director of Internal Services

Heading a team of around 350 staff and contractors located across all ESA Establishments, you will be responsible for internal services at ESA. These include the financial management of the Agency, its workforce, human resources policies and implementation, the management of the ESA corporate informatics infrastructure, applications and related services and the management of all ESA facilities. You will contribute to ESA-wide management under the direct authority of the ESA Director General and be a key actor in the ESA transformation process to increase the efficiency and effectiveness of processes and procedures within the Directorate and across the Agency.

In-depth knowledge of financial systems, HR policies, communication and information systems are required for this role, as is experience with estates and facilities management of multiple sites.

Key qualities required for this post are an innovative spirit and a strategically oriented mind, a proven capacity to lead change and manage people and teams, excellent relationship management and negotiation skills and the ability to influence high-level decisions.

This position is based at ESA Headquarters in Paris (France).

For the detailed job profile and requirements, click here. Apply by 7 June 2023.

Requirements and how to apply

For both of the positions above, applicants should have a Master’s degree in a relevant field and be able to demonstrate innovation and strategic thinking as well as outstanding leadership skills.

Please note that applications are only considered from nationals of one of the following states: Austria, Belgium, the Czech Republic, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Ireland, Italy, Luxembourg, the Netherlands, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Romania, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland and the United Kingdom.