Description

Head of the Mars Exploration Missions Operations Unit in the Solar System and Exploration Missions Division, Mission Operations Department, Directorate of Operations.

The Solar System and Exploration Missions Division is responsible for the design, implementation and operations of the mission operations ground segment and the spacecraft operations for ESA missions that travel in interplanetary space, typically from the start of phase B through in-flight commissioning to routine mission operations until end-of-mission.

Duties

You will be assigned as Head of the Mars Exploration Missions Operations Unit, reporting hierarchically to the Head of the Solar System and Exploration Missions Division. You will be responsible for the management, definition, implementation and execution of the ground segment and operations of the mission(s) allocated to the Unit. As Head of Unit, you will normally be supported by a team of Spacecraft Operations Engineers and industrial service team(s) in discharging the Unit’s duties.

The Head of Unit usually assumes the role of Spacecraft Operations Manager (SOM) of the mission(s) entrusted to the Unit. You may formally appoint dedicated Spacecraft Operations Manager(s) to provide support in implementing the related tasks where applicable.

The main duties of the post will include:

• managing the staff of the Unit, allocating the required support to the mission(s) implemented within the Unit, currently the Rosalind Franklin Mission (RFM) of the ExoMars programme and the Earth Return Orbiter (ERO) of the Mars Sample Return (MSR) programme;
• managing (at technical level) the industrial services associated with the Unit acting as Technical Responsible (TR) towards the service provider(s);
• analysing, in coordination with the ground segment and project teams, the project requirements to develop the operations concept supporting the definition of the mission implementation plan(s) of the mission(s) allocated to the Unit;
• conducting mission operations studies and devising mission operation concepts and their evolution in support of the above activities;
• defining detailed requirements for the ground systems to be developed to support the spacecraft operations of the mission(s) assigned to the Unit and validating these systems for the Unit’s mission(s);
• participating with the project team in the definition and implementation of the space segment, particularly regarding interfaces with the ground segment, operability and maintainability;
• depending on the mission-specific setup, managing and/or assisting with the industrial in-flight support provided by the prime contractor to routine mission operations;
• conducting operations during critical mission phases (Launch and Early Orbit, mission disposal/termination, etc.) under the overall responsibility of the Flight Operations Director;
• conducting all Commissioning and Routine flight/mission operations through to end-of-mission, including mission planning, execution, reporting, anomaly investigation and resolution, evaluation and long-term analysis both of the ground segment and spacecraft performance, as well as on-board software maintenance as required;
• interfacing with other areas within the Agency, industry, the user community, external operations centres and agencies for all aspects related to mission operations;
• on behalf of and reporting to the ExoMars Project Manager, managing the Trace Gas Orbiter (TGO) mission including the science operations service provided by the Science Directorate.

As required, you will assist the Head of Division in discharging the Division’s mandate and preparing for new missions to be operated by the associated Unit(s)/Division. This may include the delegation of budget management or specific operational roles (such as Flight Operations Director), participation in reviews, preparation and operations of other missions delegated to the Unit, Division or Department, and support to other D/OPS or ESA activities.

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

Education

A Master’s degree in engineering or physics is required for this post.

Additional requirements

Demonstrated experience in managing the definition and execution of complex and critical mission operations phases.
Experience in managing relations with international partners, ideally in the domains encompassed by the duties of the job.
Experience in complex interplanetary missions operations is highly desirable.

You should further have:

• 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.