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Head of the General Procurement and Support Contracts Division - Job Opportunity at European Space Agency

Paris, France
Full-time
Executive
Posted: June 16, 2025
Hybrid
EUR 120,000 - 160,000 annually, reflecting the senior executive nature of this role within a prestigious international organization, comparable to similar positions in aerospace multinational corporations and international governmental organizations, with additional benefits and allowances typical of diplomatic-level positions

Benefits

Permanent contract providing exceptional job security in the prestigious aerospace sector
Dual location flexibility between ESA Headquarters in Paris and ESTEC in Noordwijk, offering unique international exposure
Grade Band A5 classification ensuring competitive compensation aligned with senior management standards
Comprehensive international mobility opportunities as part of career evolution after five years
Access to ESA's diverse and inclusive working environment with disability accommodation support
Professional development through exposure to cutting-edge space technology and international partnerships
Leadership role in matrix organization structure providing broad organizational influence
Direct reporting relationship to department head ensuring senior-level visibility and impact

Key Responsibilities

Lead strategic transformation of the General Procurement and Support Contracts Division to align with evolving organizational priorities while maintaining operational efficiency across all ESA sites
Drive comprehensive procurement strategy for multi-billion euro space agency operations including real estate, construction, and facility management across six international locations
Orchestrate contractual management of major multi-year construction projects at ESTEC, requiring sophisticated project management and stakeholder coordination capabilities
Oversee Purchase Office network managing over 4,000 annual procurement actions across all ESA sites, ensuring seamless operational support for space missions
Develop and implement procurement frameworks for industrial support contracts providing critical system engineering services to ESA's programme and corporate directorates
Champion procurement activities for new Member States, facilitating their integration into ESA's supply chain and enhancing European space industry competitiveness
Establish strategic partnerships with multiple suppliers through complex framework contracts while ensuring compliance with international procurement law
Lead cross-functional coordination with Human Resources and other divisions to optimize service delivery and organizational effectiveness

Requirements

Education

A master's degree in law, business and/or economics is required for this post

Experience

Proven experience of leading, motivating and developing a team of contract officers in an international organisation, industry or public administration

Required Skills

Good knowledge and understanding of the Agency's core business and functioning Solid experience in implementing contracts within an international organisation, industry or public administration Knowledge of organisational development and change management methodology Experience in negotiating large contracts with various stakeholders Solid knowledge of procurement law and policy in an international environment, as well as a good understanding of labour law and general procurement challenges Ability to coordinate teams and engage senior internal and external stakeholders Result Orientation Operational Efficiency Fostering Cooperation Relationship Management Continuous Improvement Forward Thinking Demonstrated excellent leadership, relationship management and communication skills, both oral and written Excellent cognitive, analytical, delegation, planning and organisational skills Ability to anticipate problems, resolve complex issues and relate situations to their context Ability to make solution-oriented, pragmatic and timely decisions of a high standard and with integrity
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Sauge AI Market Intelligence

Industry Trends

The space industry is experiencing unprecedented growth with global space economy reaching $469 billion in 2023, driving increased demand for sophisticated procurement leadership capable of managing complex international supply chains and emerging commercial partnerships. ESA's transition to matrix organization reflects broader industry moves toward more agile, collaborative structures that can respond rapidly to technological advances and competitive pressures. European space sovereignty initiatives are intensifying focus on supply chain security and local capability development, particularly in light of geopolitical tensions and critical technology dependencies. This trend significantly elevates the strategic importance of procurement roles that can balance cost efficiency with security considerations while fostering European industrial competitiveness. Digital transformation in procurement is revolutionizing how space agencies manage supplier relationships and contract execution, with AI-driven analytics, blockchain-based contract management, and integrated supply chain platforms becoming standard. Organizations are seeking leaders who can navigate both traditional procurement frameworks and emerging digital ecosystems. The integration of new ESA member states and the expansion of commercial space partnerships require procurement strategies that can accommodate diverse regulatory environments, cultural differences, and varying levels of technological maturity while maintaining stringent quality and security standards.

Role Significance

Typically manages 15-25 professionals across three sections and multiple international locations, including contract officers, procurement specialists, and local purchase office coordinators, with indirect influence over procurement activities affecting hundreds of ESA personnel and external contractors.
This is a senior executive position reporting directly to the Head of ESA Contracts Department, placing the incumbent within the top tier of ESA's organizational hierarchy with significant influence over agency-wide procurement strategy, budget allocation decisions, and vendor relationship management across multiple international sites and programs.

Key Projects

Multi-year construction project management at ESTEC involving complex engineering and facility development contracts worth tens of millions of euros Implementation of agency-wide procurement transformation initiatives supporting ESA's matrix organizational transition Development and execution of new member state integration programs facilitating European space industry expansion Strategic vendor relationship management for critical support services across six international ESA facilities

Success Factors

Exceptional ability to balance competing stakeholder interests across multiple member states while maintaining procurement integrity and cost efficiency, requiring sophisticated diplomatic and negotiation skills combined with deep understanding of international procurement law and space industry dynamics. Strong strategic vision for organizational transformation and change management, particularly in matrix environments where traditional hierarchical structures are evolving toward more collaborative, cross-functional approaches that require new forms of leadership and coordination. Comprehensive understanding of both commercial and governmental procurement frameworks, enabling effective navigation of complex regulatory environments while fostering innovation and competitive supplier engagement in the rapidly evolving space industry. Cultural intelligence and language capabilities essential for leading diverse international teams and managing relationships with stakeholders from 22+ member states, each with distinct business practices, regulatory requirements, and organizational cultures.

Market Demand

High demand for senior procurement executives with space industry experience and international organization leadership capabilities, particularly those who can manage complex stakeholder relationships across multiple countries and navigate both commercial and governmental procurement frameworks

Important Skills

Critical Skills

International procurement law expertise is absolutely essential given the complex regulatory environment spanning 22+ member states, each with distinct legal frameworks, while ensuring compliance with both ESA's internal procedures and various national regulations that govern public sector procurement and international contracts. Change management and organizational development capabilities are crucial for successfully leading the division's restructuring while ESA transitions to matrix organization, requiring ability to redesign reporting structures, redefine roles and responsibilities, and maintain operational continuity during significant organizational transformation. Strategic stakeholder management across multiple cultural and organizational contexts is vital for success, as the role requires building consensus among member state representatives, senior ESA leadership, external contractors, and internal teams while navigating competing national interests and budget priorities. Complex contract negotiation skills for high-value, multi-year agreements are indispensable, particularly for major construction projects and industrial support contracts that can span several years and involve sophisticated technical specifications, performance metrics, and risk allocation arrangements.

Beneficial Skills

Space industry technical knowledge would significantly enhance effectiveness in evaluating proposals and understanding supplier capabilities, though the role focuses more on procurement process management than technical assessment of space systems and components. Additional European language capabilities beyond English and French would facilitate more effective communication with stakeholders from various member states and enhance cultural sensitivity in international negotiations and relationship building. Previous experience in matrix organization structures would accelerate adaptation to ESA's evolving organizational model and provide valuable insights for optimizing cross-functional collaboration and resource allocation in complex institutional environments. Digital procurement platform expertise would support modernization initiatives and help leverage emerging technologies for improved efficiency, transparency, and supplier relationship management in an increasingly digitized procurement landscape.

Unique Aspects

This role uniquely combines traditional government procurement with cutting-edge space technology acquisition, requiring expertise in both diplomatic protocols and commercial negotiations while managing relationships with entities ranging from small specialized suppliers to major multinational aerospace corporations.
The position offers extraordinary exposure to European space policy development and international cooperation initiatives, with direct involvement in shaping how new member states integrate into ESA's supply chain and contribute to European space capabilities.
Unlike typical procurement roles, this position requires managing procurement activities across six countries with different legal systems, languages, and business cultures, while maintaining unified standards and fostering collaboration in support of ambitious space exploration and Earth observation missions.
The role provides unique opportunity to influence the future organizational structure of one of the world's most prestigious space agencies during its matrix transformation, potentially establishing new paradigms for international organization management and cross-border procurement coordination.

Career Growth

3-7 years for progression to department head level within ESA or equivalent executive roles in commercial aerospace, depending on performance in organizational transformation initiatives and success in managing major procurement programs

Potential Next Roles

Head of ESA Contracts Department or equivalent directorate leadership role within ESA's senior management structure Chief Procurement Officer or equivalent executive positions at major aerospace corporations such as Airbus, Thales, or Leonardo Senior advisory roles with European Commission on space policy and procurement strategy Executive positions at other international organizations such as European Southern Observatory, CERN, or similar research institutions

Company Overview

European Space Agency

The European Space Agency stands as Europe's premier space organization, coordinating space activities for 22 member states with an annual budget exceeding EUR 7 billion, responsible for major programs including ExoMars, BepiColombo, and the James Webb Space Telescope contributions, while serving as the cornerstone of European space independence and technological sovereignty in an increasingly competitive global space economy.

ESA maintains a position as the world's second-largest civilian space agency after NASA, with unique expertise in Earth observation, planetary science, and space technology development, competing directly with national agencies like JAXA, Roscosmos, and emerging commercial entities while fostering a distinctly European approach to international space cooperation and scientific excellence.
The Paris headquarters location positions this role at the center of European space policy development and international diplomatic activities, with regular interaction with French national space agency CNES, European Commission representatives, and international space community leaders, while the Noordwijk alternative provides direct access to ESA's premier technical facility and European space industry cluster.
ESA's work environment emphasizes international collaboration, scientific excellence, and diplomatic professionalism, with a strong commitment to diversity and inclusion reflecting its multi-national membership, while the ongoing transition to matrix organization structure is creating opportunities for innovative leadership approaches and cross-functional career development in a prestigious, mission-driven context.
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