Project Manager (m/w/d)

Main Duties and Responsibilities :

• Lead projects to develop and deploy systems, such as scientific instruments and sub-systems, forming a core project team with the project scientist and project engineer when applicable.
• Accountable for delivering projects to science community in specifications, in budget and on time. To achieve this goal, you will interact within the ESO matrix structure.
• Prepare and manage consortium agreements and industrial contracts.
• Actively carry out stakeholder management within and outside of ESO.
• Provide objectives and feedback for each of your matrixed team members to their nominated line manager in accordance with general procedures and policies.
• Proactively report project progress to Programme Managers within ESO.
• Provide input for reporting to ESO governing bodies.
• Lead teams for Assembly Integration and Test / Verification (AIT / V) at Paranal & Armazones in Chile.
• Frequently participate in project reviews in the role of reviewer, secretary or chair.

The above responsibilities are not exhaustive and a flexible approach and willingness to adapt to operational needs are required.

Reports to :

Head of the Project Management Department.

Key Competences and Experience

Essential Competences and Experience :

• At least three years of relevant professional experience in developing projects relating to instrumentation / optical systems.
• A strong technical background in a relevant discipline, e.g. opto-mechanics, electronics, control software, cryogenics etc.
• First-hand experience with the standard PM scope of tasks, schedule and resource planning, change and risk management, as well as demonstrated ability to build, develop, and lead multi-disciplinary project teams.
• Ability to monitor the progress of your work and that of the project team, deliver to agreed deadlines and standards, plan activities, contribute to system design and be able to work under pressure.
• Prepared to travel frequently, also to Chile to visit sites at altitudes of up to more than 5000 metres.
• Used to work both on own initiative and as a part of a team as either leader or collaborative team member.
• Ability to build strong collaborative working relationships with others from different cultural backgrounds and disciplines.
• Excellent communication skills with a strong sense for team spirit necessary to work in an international team environment.

Desirable Competences and Experience :

• Ability to work with partners from industry as well as academic or research institutions.
• Provide clear, concise and timely oral and written communication identifying key issues, examining options and proposing steps ahead.
• Willingness to acquire new technical and interpersonal skills, keep up-to-date with the tools used in the daily work and possess a proactive mindset towards self-development.
• Demonstrated critical thinking and problem-solving skills in relation to project management.
• Demonstrated diplomatic skills to facilitate the management of external consortia.
• A strong scientific background in a related field is considered an asset.
• Knowledge and experience with the development, testing or operations of astronomical instruments (optical and / or infrared, ground or space- based) is considered a valuable asset.

Qualifications

• Essential educational level : An advanced university degree in Project Management, Engineering or Physics or a related scientific / technical field.
• A first level university degree in combination with an additional two years of relevant working experience and / or additional technical qualifications will be accepted in lieu of an advanced university degree.

Qualifications which would be an asset :

• Formal qualifications in project management would be deemed an advantage.
• Experience with organisational change projects will be a valuable asset.

Language skills :

A very good command of the English language - oral, reading and writing - is essential and a working knowledge of German or Spanish would be an advantage.