SKA Programme Director at SKA Organisation

Job description

The Role

The SKA Programme Director will be a person who has the drive and the vision to ensure that the SKA Project is delivered to time, budget and specification. This will include both the coordination of the Construction Proposal to the SKA Observatory Council for approval and then the delivery of the full construction phase.

Key Duties, Accountabilities and Responsibilities

Under the direction of the SKA Director-General the postholder will:

• Lead the overall project engineering to complete pre-construction, including Critical Design Review (CDR), and construction activities;
• Define the process by which the SKA Observatory and contractors will undertake the SKA construction;
• Coordinate the integrated efforts of the project management and all engineering and construction activities across the SKA Project;
• Ensure that the SKA Office engineering team recruits the best and brightest;
• Coordinate the resources available according to agreed priorities;
• Oversee the definition and negotiation of the work-package contracts;
• Oversee the management of the construction contracts;
• Ensure that all appropriate management and monitoring processes are in place;
• Ensure that the SKA Office is appropriately represented on all key design reviews; and
• Travel, as required, to any of the SKA countries and elsewhere as required.

Mandatory Qualifications, Experience and Knowledge:

• Recognised university degree-level education/training in engineering or physical sciences;
• Experience of senior, executive level management within a high-technology environment;
• Experience of project management for the design and construction of a large scale multi-disciplinary, multi-national project; and
• Good English oral and written communication skills.

Desirable Qualifications, Experience and Knowledge:

• Post-graduate qualification in management, engineering or physical sciences;
• Experience in large scale astronomical design and construction projects;
• Industry experience, and/or a track record in successful collaborative links with industry; and
• Familiarity with the formalism for, and requirements of, quality control environments such as ISO9001.

For more information on the SKA project visit http://www.skatelescope.org. The SKA Organisation offers a competitive salary, a generous company pension scheme and a flexible benefits package. The successful applicant’s workplace will be located at the SKA Office’s headquarters at Jodrell Bank.

Closing date for receipt of applications is 31st July 2017.

Equal Opportunities Statement

SKA Organisation is committed to being an equal opportunities employer. Our aim to is recruit and retain the most talented individuals, regardless of gender, race, disability, age, sexual orientation, religion or nationality.

At all stages of the recruitment process and beyond, we strive to treat applicants and employees with a high standard of care, honesty and politeness.

Women have traditionally been under-represented in the fields of science and engineering; SKA Organisation welcomes and encourages female applicants.

Where applicants with a disability need facilities or adjustments to enable them to participate in the recruitment process, these will be provided. If you need equipment or adjustments to enable you to complete your application and/or attend an interview, then please let us know.