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Join ESA's mission to revolutionize space project management and drive forward the frontier of space exploration
Overview
Salary No salary declared 😔
Location Noordwijk, NL
Expires Expires at anytime
The Independent Programme Management Authority (IPMA) of the Inspector General’s Office at the European Space Agency (ESA) is on a strategic mission to transform project execution agency-wide. This pivotal role is at the heart of ensuring space projects meet the highest quality standards while being completed on time and within budget. As part of the Director General’s Services, you'll be instrumental in shaping the future of space program management.
- Overhaul project management practices to align with quality, time, and budget targets.
- Advocate for realistic project planning and implementation.
- Empower Project Managers with effective monitoring and control processes.
- Support the use of harmonised digital tools for risk and deviation management.
- Lead various reviews and contribute to agency-level decision-making.
- Enhance project workforce agility and adaptation to changing conditions.
- Participate in defining project management training and certification.
- Update project management guidelines and critically review performance metrics.
- A master's degree in engineering and/or management.
- Knowledge of spacecraft system engineering and operations.
- Understanding of mission risks, project management, and procurement processes.
- Experience with ESA standards, policies, program reviews, and risk management.
- At least eight years of experience in project management within space systems and payload domains.
- Strong leadership, communication, and problem-solving skills.
ESA is an equal opportunity employer, valuing diversity and inclusiveness. Women and individuals with disabilities are especially encouraged to apply. For assistance during the recruitment process, contact contact.human.resources@esa.int.
Description IPMA Senior Manager in the Independent Programme Management Authority, Inspector General’s Office, Director General’s Services. The Independent Programme Management Authority (IPMA) is intended to address project management challenges by institutionalising project management and control process ownership, alongside initiatives in digitalisation, compliance monitoring, and training and certification, and by establishing a veto/escalation process.
Duties The purpose of this strategic role is to overhaul and enhance project execution practices across the Agency, ensuring projects are completed in accordance with quality targets, on time and within budget. Your main objectives will be as follows: Addressing the conspiracy of optimism by advocating the application of strong project management knowledge from a project’s inception, favouring the definition of a realistic project baseline and ensuring its implementation is in line with quality targets, on-time and on-cost; Favouring the empowerment of Project Managers to monitor and control the project baseline effectively with the support of lean and efficient compliance and performance monitoring processes; Supporting the implementation of harmonised digital tools and data to allow early detection of deviations and changes in risk exposure while facilitating informed and timely decisions; Leading and contributing to Corporate/Fast Track Reviews, Investigation/Enquiry Boards, Project Resource Assessments and Peer Reviews at both Directorate and project level; Guiding and contributing to IPRev/Gate Reviews in positions such as Chair, System or Expert; Participating in Directorate Peer Reviews, contributing your insight into and knowledge of the Directorate-specific business; Steering ad hoc appraisal activities in positions such as Chair, System or Expert; Overseeing the preparation activities for ESA Council at ministerial level reviews; Helping foster an agile and efficient project workforce capable of adapting to the new and rapidly changing conditions faced by the Agency; Participating in the definition of project management training, maturation and certification; Contributing to the update of the IPMA handbook and project management regulation (“Golden Rules”) and critically reviewing KPIs and metrics related to the ESA programme/project portfolio, including risks, cost and schedule, with the aim of detecting early signs of deviations and monitoring the overall health of the ESA programmatic activities.
Technical competencies Knowledge of spacecraft system engineering, platforms, payloads and operations Knowledge of mission risks, costs and schedule aspects Knowledge of project management and procurement processes Knowledge of ESA standards and policies Knowledge of programme reviews Knowledge of risk management Behavioural competencies Result Orientation Operational Efficiency Fostering Cooperation Relationship Management Continuous Improvement Forward Thinking
Education A master's degree in engineering and/or management is required for this post.
Additional requirements Your overarching aim will be to improve project delivery outcomes significantly, contributing to the Agency's broader objectives of advancing space exploration and utilisation. You will do so mainly by mitigating recurring and escalating schedule delays, which invariably lead to widening disparities between anticipated and actual progress. To achieve this, you will devise streamlined processes, tools and governance mechanisms that can actively contribute to curbing delays and accompanying cost overruns. You must have a senior profile with at least eight years of proven experience as project manager in the space systems and payload domains. Ideally, you will have one or more of the following: Strong leadership capabilities to drive a culture of accountability, efficiency and continuous improvement within project teams; The flexibility to engage with ad hoc reviews, providing authoritative input to address unique project challenges; A track record of managing complex projects, with the ability to navigate and rectify optimistic biases in project planning; Effective communication and facilitation skills to lead diverse review panels/boards and committees, fostering collaboration and consensus among stakeholders.
Diversity, Equity and Inclusiveness ESA is an equal opportunity employer, committed to achieving diversity within the workforce and creating an inclusive working environment. We therefore welcome applications from all qualified candidates irrespective of gender, sexual orientation, ethnicity, beliefs, age, disability or other characteristics. Applications from women are encouraged. At the Agency we value diversity, and we welcome people with disabilities. Whenever possible, we seek to accommodate individuals with disabilities by providing the necessary support at the workplace. The Human Resources Department can also provide assistance during the recruitment process. If you would like to discuss this further, please contact us via email at [email removed - click apply for more details].
