Description

The Directorate of Human and Robotic Exploration Programmes (D/HRE) is a programme directorate within the ESA matrix structure. Through a partnership between humans and robots, the Directorate is dedicated to exploring destinations in space where humans are already living and working – or will live and work in the future – for the purpose of scientific research, economic development, international cooperation and public inspiration.

Reporting directly to the Mars & Beyond Projects Group (HRE-M) Leader, the RAMSES Project Manager is responsible for the implementation and in-orbit commissioning of the RAMSES Project.

Duties

Your tasks and responsibilities will include:

• implementing the RAMSES Project within the budget and schedule as delegated by the Space Safety Programme Office (OPS-S) to HRE-M;
• managing and executing the industrial contracts for the development, verification, launch and operation of the RAMSES mission;
• defining with the relevant potential international partners, such as NASA, JAXA, ISRO and KASI, the scope of the international collaboration and establishing, in coordination with the Directorate for Strategy, Legal and External Affairs (D/SLE) and other relevant actors, the necessary formal agreements;
• ensuring the spacecraft and mission design meets the agreed technical and planning requirements;
• identifying potential risks, developing mitigation strategies, and monitoring risk throughout the project life cycle to ensure the successful implementation of the RAMSES Project;
• ensuring that all project elements, including the spacecraft, the launcher and the ground system, and their technical and programmatic interfaces, are correctly implemented;
• ensuring the consistency and timely availability of contributing CFI elements from European and international partners and associated AIT models, GSE and software within the overall mission and project constraints;
• supporting OPS-S and HRE-M to coordinate with the Space Situational Awareness Programme Board (PB-SSA), including the build-up of programme proposal elements relating to the RAMSES Project for the ESA Council meetings at ministerial level to be held in 2025 and 2028;
• providing, when necessary, management and technical support, and directing all tasks pertaining to the collaboration with European and international partners, ensuring contributing elements meet technical and schedule requirements;
• ensuring at all times that appropriate definitions and information are available to all project participants so that they can discharge their responsibilities efficiently within the agreed framework;
• maintaining effective communication with all stakeholders, including providing regular updates and reports on project progress to ensure transparency and alignment;
• chairing the project Engineering Board and Contract Change Board, or their equivalent;
• organising, in cooperation with the Inspector General (DG-I), the major project reviews;
• on request, participating in other Project Department tasks in which your experience can be brought to bear;
• promoting and guaranteeing adequate support to the ESA Communication Department for media and divulgation activities relating to the mission.

As Project Manager, you will be responsible for managing a team of engineers and administrative staff. Team management responsibilities will include:

• defining and communicating a clear strategy for team objectives in line with overall project priorities;
• promoting an effective work environment by encouraging cooperation and collaboration within the team and with the various project interfaces;
• supporting team members in their efforts aimed at professional improvement and development;
• coordination and planning of the required resources from the Directorate of Technology, Engineering and Quality (D/TEC) and the Directorate of Operations (D/OPS).

You will promote efficient communication and collaboration between all involved parties, industry, international partners, the scientific community, D/TEC experts, D/OPS, the Directorate of Commercialisation, Industry and Competitiveness (D/CIC), the Directorate of Space Transportation (D/STS) and the Project team.

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 ESA Core Behavioural Competencies guidebook

Education

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

Additional requirements

• The potential to manage individuals or a team of experts; 
• The ability to organise individual and team 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;
• A strong result 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 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, beginning after approximately five years in this role.