Project Manager

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 the Integrated Operations (IOP) Programme, the La Silla Paranal Observatory opens a project position of an International Staff Member as Project Manager. As one of the organisational change management projects hosted within ESO's Integrated Operations Programme (IOP), 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 is to 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 Project Coordination Office (PCO) 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 one-time, 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. Head of Project Coordination. We offer an attractive remuneration package including a competitive salary (tax free for ESO member states), comprehensive pension scheme and medical, educational and other social benefits, as well as financial help in relocating your family. ESO aims to support members of personnel in maintaining a good work-life balance (https://www.eso.org/public/jobs/conditions/intstaff/#work-life-balance) between their professional and private life. ESO is also committed to offering family-friendly support (https://www.eso.org/public/jobs/conditions/intstaff/#family-friendly-support), creating a work environment and policies which allow staff to balance their professional and private responsibilities through flexible working arrangements and financial support for families. The contract is for a fixed term duration of three years and is subject to successful completion of the probation period. There may be a possibility of maximum one extension subject to individual performance and organisational requirements of the project 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 the contract policy and in particular the regulations concerning fixed-term and indefinite contracts are currently 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 at 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.The role is based on-site at ESO and relocation to the duty station area is required. Staff at ESO be

Master's degree in engineering or applied physics (preferred).