Project Manager

Are you interested in working in areas of frontline technology and in a stimulating international environment? Do you feel your profile matches our requirements? Learn more about our current vacancies and apply online.
The European Organisation for Astronomical Research in the Southern Hemisphere (ESO) is the foremost intergovernmental astronomy organisation in Europe and the world's most productive ground-based astronomical observatory. ESO carries out an ambitious programme focused on the design, construction, and operation of powerful ground-based observing facilities enabling astronomers to make important scientific discoveries.
ESO operates three unique world-class observing sites in northern Chile: La Silla, Paranal, and Chajnantor (home to ALMA and APEX), and the ESO Headquarters are located in Garching, near Munich, Germany.
At Paranal, ESO operates the Very Large Telescope (VLT), the world's most advanced visible-light astronomical observatory, and will host and operate the southern array of the Cherenkov Telescope Array, the world's largest and most sensitive high energy gamma-ray observatory. ESO is a major partner in ALMA, and on Cerro Armazones, the Organisation is building the 39-metre Extremely Large Telescope (ELT), which will become "the world's biggest eye on the sky" and whose operations will be fully integrated into the Paranal Observatory.
For its Integrated Operations (IOP) Programme, the La Silla Paranal Observatory is opening a project position of an International Staff Member as a Project Manager.
The mission of the project manager is to ensure the successful planning, execution, and completion of IOP projects for ESO's next generation Observatory operations model. The project manager is responsible for aligning the IOP project with ESO's overall strategic goals and ensuring that the implemented system meets the requirements of the programme.
The IOP project manager will lead the project through its lifecycle, ensuring that it delivers the expected business value, meets the requirements, and is completed within the defined scope, schedule, and budget constraints. The role demands a combination of technical expertise, leadership skills, and a deep understanding of both business processes and organisational dynamics.
In direct collaboration with the programme manager, the selected candidate will work with a team of programme engineers and operations experts on the development and execution of a multi-project plan to implement a process-based lean operations model for the entire operations structure of the VLT and ELT facilities. This role offers significant challenges, as you will collaborate with numerous stakeholders and gain valuable experience in a multicultural and global environment. You will be responsible for managing the full project lifecycle and have a unique opportunity to be involved in the development/definition of projects comprising the digital transformation of technical maintenance, astronomical observing, logistics and management processes as well as associated hardware and infrastructure construction projects.
You will have the opportunity to:Develop and lead projects for the successful implementation of the IOP organisational change to deliver business value and achieve the desired outcomes for the organisation.Lead a diverse project group and handle the daily tasks of project management, including working on documentation, to ensure the smooth progress and successful completion of the project.Collaborate with a diverse core team of IOP architects, engineers, scientists, and other operations experts to successfully lead the project and gain a deep understanding of the needs of the observatory.Learn about astronomy and the unique technologies used in the observatory's telescopes and instruments.Engage with cutting-edge technologies and innovative solutions in the field of observing techniques, and contribute to the advancement of telescope systems and maintenance processes.Enjoy a supportive work environment that values both professional development and personal well-being.Work in an international environment, on the ESO campus in Santiago with the option of mobile working within our correspondent framework, and frequently spend time in the unique environment of the world's most advanced Observatory for astronomy at visible and infrared wavelengths on Paranal in the Chilean Atacama desert.Reports to:Key Competences and Experience:5 years of experience in project development and project management.Strong organisational skills enabling a systematic work approach and effective time management.Effective project planning and controlled roll-out to achieve milestones on time, ensuring smooth progress and successful completion.Experience in overseeing the preparation of project documentation and managing day-to-day project tasks.Critical and analytic thinking, allowing conduct of scenario analysis and fact-driven decision making.Excellent communication skills conveying information to all stakeholders.Comprehensive reporting and result presentation.Understanding the project impact on the business landscape.Good sense and strategic approach to risk management.Ability to resolve conflicts and manage change.Ability to acquire the necessary technical knowledge to understand the project.Strong skills enabling project integration with cross-functional objectives.Stress management skills, complemented by adaptability and self-control.Proactively identify and address challenges, take ownership of problems and drive projects forward with minimal supervision.Able to find comfort with ambiguous objectives, where the end-state may not always be apparent.Maintaining a high level of integrity and ethical conduct in alignment with the ESO Values.Qualifications:University degree in engineering, business management, computer science or equivalent in a relevant discipline, with further specialisation and experience in project management. 5 years of experience in project management is required, with experience in the industrial field and formal certification in project management considered an advantage.
A very good command of the English language - oral, reading, and writing is essential.
Remuneration and Contract information:We offer an attractive remuneration package including a competitive salary, comprehensive pension scheme and medical, educational and other social benefits, as well as financial help in relocating your family where applicable.
Our Salary and career structureESO's salary structure is based upon a range of career paths which reflect the nature and level of our roles. Each career path is made up of two or three grades which are used to further reflect experience and performance. The role of the Project Manager is in Career Path V. Please follow this link for more details here.
The contract on offer is for a fixed term duration of three years, and is subject to medical clearance and successful completion of the probation period. There may be a possibility of one extension subject to individual performance and organisational requirements and as defined in the applicable policies and staff rules and regulations. For any further information, please visit ESO's conditions of employment. Please note that our contract policy and in particular the regulations concerning fixed-term and indefinite contracts are under review which may lead to changes in the contractual conditions applicable to this position.
Duty Station:The duty station will be on the ESO premises in Vitacura, Santiago de Chile. The post requires regular visits to the Paranal Observatory, located 120 km south of the city of Antofagasta, Chile. The work schedule in the Vitacura office describes a 40 work hours week in the regular 5/2 mode. Work missions to the Observatory site can extend up to 8 days, followed by 6 days of rest, spending up to 30% of time on-site.
Application:If you are interested in working in areas of frontline science and technology and in a stimulating international environment, please visit here for further details.
Applicants are invited to apply online at jobs.eso.org. Applications must be completed in English and should include a motivation letter and CV. Within your CV, please provide the names and contact details of three persons familiar with your work and willing to provide a recommendation letter upon request. Referees will not be contacted without your prior consent.
Deadline for applications is 12 November 2024. Interviews are expected to start soon after this date.
ESO ValuesAn important element in any successful employment relationship is harmony in values between an organisation and its people.
The ESO Values are:
ESO strives for excellence through innovation. ESO provides outstanding services to its communities. ESO fosters diversity & inclusion. ESO believes in the key role of sustainability for its future.
Achieving the above are recognized as only possible on the basis of personal values and attitudes that we expect from our employees: respect, integrity, accountability, commitment, collaboration, and clear & open communication. Applicants to any ESO role are asked to reflect on their affinity with these values and advised they may be asked about them if called for interview.
No nationality is in principle excluded from employment at ESO, however, recruitment preference will be given to nationals of our Member States, host states and strategic partners: Australia, Austria, Belgium, the Czech Republic, Denmark, Finland, France, Germany, Ireland, Italy, the Netherlands, Poland, Portugal, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, the United Kingdom and Chile, irrespective of gender, age, disability, sexual orientation, ethnicity or religion.

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