Sustainability Lead

Talantir; Paris; On-site; EUR 90,000 - 120,000; Full time

Job summary

European Space Agency seeks a Sustainability Lead within the Strategic Sustainability Office, reporting to the Head of the Strategic Sustainability Office. You will propose, develop and monitor the ESA Sustainability Strategy aligned with CSR principles and Strategy 2040, and support the Chief Sustainability Officer in advancing the Green Agenda.

You will coordinate with the Strategy Department and other directorates to drive environmental objectives and oversee the Sustainability Fund, ensuring

Qualifications

• Proven experience in space sustainability, strategy and project management is required.
• Knowledge of ESA governance, procurement and lifecycle thinking is desirable.

Responsibilities

• Develop and monitor the ESA Sustainability Strategy in alignment with ESA CSR principles and Strategy 2040.
• Support the Head of the Strategic Sustainability Office in managing the Green Agenda programme and its evolution.
• Coordinate with Strategy Department and other directorates to implement sustainability initiatives.
• Coordinate annual environmental footprint assessments and prepare the ESA Responsibility and Sustainability report.
• Provide secretariat services to the ESA Environmental Protection Working Group and related bodies.

Education

Master's degree in environmental engineering

Job description

Sustainability Lead

Job Requisition ID: 20329

Date Posted: 27 February 2026

Closing Date: 20 March 2026 23:59 CET/CEST

Publication: Internal & External

Type of Appointment: Fixed-Term

Directorate: Strategy, Legal and External Matters

Workplace: Paris, FR

Grade Band: A2 - A4

This is a fixed-term appointment with an initial duration of 4 years. Depending upon performance and organisational needs, the appointment may be extended up to a possible maximum duration of 8 years.

LocationESA Headquarters, Paris, France

DescriptionSustainability Lead in the Strategic Sustainability Office, Strategy Department, Directorate of Strategy, Legal and External Affairs.As Sustainability Lead, you will directly report to the Head of the Strategic Sustainability Office and be responsible for proposing, developing and monitoring the implementation of the ESA Sustainability Strategy, in alignment with both the ESA CSR (corporate social responsibility) principles and the Agency’s Strategy 2040.You will also support, in their capacity as ESA’s Chief Sustainability Officer, the Head of the Strategic Sustainability Office in managing the ESA Green Agenda programme and its evolution to meet the Agency’s current and future environmental objectives, and you will work in close coordination with the relevant services in the Strategy Department.

Duties

Your tasks and responsibilities will include:

• driving ESA social responsibility policies and projects, as well as fostering sustainability and environmental thinking within ESA
• coordinating the implementation of the ESA Double Materiality Assessment to identify the Agency’s priorities with respect to its stakeholders in the ESG (environment, social, governance) areas
• developing and updating the ESA Sustainability Strategy, in alignment with ESA CSR principles and Strategy 2040, in collaboration with all ESA programme and support directorates
• coordinating a comprehensive annual assessment of the Agency’s environmental footprint and preparing the ESA Responsibility and Sustainability report
• overseeing and organising, together with the European Interparliamentary Space Committee and the European Space Policy Institute, the annual European Space Sustainability Award
• coordinating the ESA Green Agenda Programme Management Office in support of the ESA Chief Sustainability Officer
• overseeing the Sustainability Fund by selecting and approving internal projects in line with the Agency’s environmental objectives
• providing secretariat services to the ESA Environmental Protection Working Group, chaired by the ESA Chief Sustainability Officer

Technical competencies

• Good knowledge of ESA and the European industrial space sector, as well as of ESA Boards and their areas of responsibilityExcellent understanding of the sustainability challenges related to the space sectorKnowledge of ESA and industrial development, verification and procurement processesProject and programme management skillsSpace engineering and systems orientationGood knowledge of the life cycle thinking approach and ecodesign/life cycle assessment techniquesAbility to promote collaboration and coordination with stakeholders

Behavioural competencies

• Result OrientationOperational EfficiencyFostering CooperationRelationship ManagementContinuous ImprovementForward Thinking

Education

A master's degree in environmental engineering, environmental science or a related subject is required for this post.

Additional Requirements

• Proven experience in the domain of space sustainability, strategy and project management is required.

Diversity, Equity and Inclusiveness

ESA is an equal opportunity employer, committed to achieving diversity within the workforce and creating an inclusive working environment. We therefore welcome applications from all qualified candidates irrespective of gender, sexual orientation, ethnicity, religious beliefs, age, disability or other characteristics.

At the Agency we value diversity, and we welcome people with disabilities. Whenever possible, we seek to accommodate individuals with disabilities by providing the necessary support at the workplace. The Human Resources Department can also provide assistance during the recruitment process.

If you would like to discuss this further, please contact us via email at [e-mail].

Important Information and Disclaimer

In principle, recruitment will be within the advertised grade band (A2-A4). However, if the selected candidate has less than four years of relevant professional experience following the completion of the master’s degree, the position may be filled at A1 level.

During the recruitment process, the Agency may request applicants to undergo selection tests. Additionally, successful candidates will need to undergo basic screening before appointment, which will be conducted by an external background screening service, in compliance with the European Space Agency's security procedures.

Note that ESA is in the process of transitioning to a Matrix setup, which could lead to organisational changes affecting this position.

The information published on ESA’s careers website regarding working conditions is correct at the time of publication. It is not intended to be exhaustive and may not address all questions you would have.

Nationality and Languages

Please note that applications are only considered from nationals of one of the following States: Austria, Belgium, Czechia, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Ireland, Italy, Luxembourg, the Netherlands, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Romania, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, the United Kingdom and Canada, Latvia, Lithuania and Slovakia.

When short-listing for an interview, priority will first be given to internal candidates.

The working languages of the Agency are English and French. A good knowledge of one of these is required. Knowledge of another Member State language would be an asset.