Head of EOP Security Office

EUROPEAN SPACE AGENCY; Frascati; On-site; EUR 100,000 - 150,000; Full time

Job summary

European Space Agency seeks an experienced EOP Security Manager to lead the EOP Security Office located at ESRIN in Frascati, Italy, or ESTEC in Noordwijk, Netherlands. You will oversee security governance, risk management, and the implementation of security directives across the EOP Directorate.

The role requires a master’s degree in a relevant field and at least five years of professional experience, with strong leadership and communications skills and eligibility for security clearance.

Qualifications

• Master’s degree in a relevant domain is required.
• 5 years of relevant professional experience required; or Bachelor’s degree plus 4 years of relevant experience.
• Excellent leadership and communication skills.
• Eligibility for personal security clearance.

Responsibilities

• Lead and coordinate the EOP Security Office.
• Manage security risk across the EOP Directorate.
• Ensure security directives align with ESA standards.
• Coordinate security engineering and ISO functions.
• Oversee audits, inspections and incident handling.
• Represent ESA in security governance with external interfaces.

Skills

Leadership

Communication

Security governance

Security risk mgmt

Education

Master’s degree

Bachelor’s degree + 4 years

Job description

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Closing Date: 29 October 2026 23:59 CET/CEST

Publication Method: Internal & External

Type of Appointment ( learn more) : 4 years, extendable to indefinite

Directorate: Earth Observation Programmes

This post is classified at grade A4 on the Coordinated Organisations’ salary scale, with upgrade to A5 upon confirmation of the EOGS Programme to ESA.

Location
ESRIN, Frascati, Italy orESTEC, Noordwijk, Netherlands

Description

Under the direct authority of the Director of Earth Observation Programmes, the EOP Security Office is responsible for providing the Directorate security functions. The EOP Security Office includes the ISO function of the EOP Directorate, responsible for providing assurance security functions at Directorate level, with a hierarchical reporting line to the Head of the ESA Security Office (ESO).

Duties

Your tasks and responsibilities will include:

• managing and coordinating the EOP Security Office;
• performing and overseeing security management and security risk management across the EOP Directorate in accordance with the ESA Security Framework and relevant EU Security policy;
• defining and maintaining effective and efficient implementing directives of the applicable security directives for EOP;
• coordinating the EOP PSSO and security engineering function ensuring proper security implementation of EOP security activities;
• ensuring harmonisation of security standards, methods and policies within the Directorate in accordance with applicable ESA standards;
• ensuring a proper Directorate security assurance function including dedicated audits and inspections at Directorate level, with ISO functional support, in close coordination with ESA Security Office;
• performing Directorate security risk management, including management and handling of security incidents;
• maintaining the security risk portfolio and coordinating mitigation actions in liaison with ESO, C-SOC and the EOP IT lead;
• supporting EOP projects in the management of the interface with the security authorities;
• ensuring and managing the security certification and accreditation processes and their maintenance leveraging ESO in Matrix;
• defining the security awareness plan and performing dedicated security training and security awareness campaigns;
• ensuring and managing the cybersecurity industrial audit process with the support of ESO;
• as Directorate Export Control Liaison Officer (DELO), ensuring the implementation of the strategic trade control procedure within the Directorate;
• as Directorate Cyber Security Manager, defining the D/EOP Cybersecurity Implementation Plan for the EOP information systems, and overseeing the security posture of all EOP Communication Information Systems;
• ensuring adequate information protection, providing classified information management support;
• whenever requested, representing the Directorate and contributing to ESA and EU security governance, including before the ESA Security Committee.

You will also be responsible for identifying, assessing, managing and reporting the health and safety risks in your area of responsibility.

Knowledge of cybersecurity of critical infrastructure

In-depth experience in the protection of classified or sensitive information

In-depth experience in the governance of digital and physical security

In-depth knowledge of European and international security frameworks

Experience in institutional and multilateral projects

Familiarity with intergovernmental frameworks for information security

Knowledge of ESA EO policies and programmes

A master’s in a relevant domain is required for this post together with 5 years relevant professional experience. Alternatively, candidates with a bachelor’s, complemented by an additional four (4) years of relevant professional experience may be considered.

Additional requirements

• Excellent leadership and communication skills, with the ability to represent ESA to external stakeholders;
• Experience working under pressure and in politically sensitive environments;
• Ability to operate across technical, institutional and political levels;
• Strong credibility in networking and negotiation with high-level institutional actors;
• Eligibility for personal security clearance by a national security authority;
• Certification in crisis management, institutional communication or data protection will be considered an asset;
• International experience and prior engagement with EU, ESA or NATO security structures would be a strong asset.
• Proven experience of leading, motivating and developing a team of experts;
• The ability to provide strategic direction to the individuals and teams within the Office and to relate team objectives to the overall, evolving organisational goals and context;
• The ability to drive performance and foster cooperation within and across teams throughout the organisation;
• Demonstrated excellent leadership, relationship management and communication skills, both oral and written;
• A proven track record of representing the Agency’s interests to external interfaces;
• Excellent cognitive, analytical, delegation, planning and organisational skills;
• The ability to anticipate problems, solve complex issues and relate situations to their context;
• The ability to reach solution-oriented, pragmatic and timely decisions of a high standard and with integrity as well as to support others (team members, upper management, other stakeholders) in this process.

People management experience is required, international experience is an asset, including outside your home country, as well as experience in diverse functional areas relevant to ESA activities.
Mobility is inherent to management functions and this position may be subject to rotation.
Therefore, mobility opportunities may be offered to you as part of your career evolution at ESA, starting after approximately five years in this role.

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.

Applicants must be eligible to access information, technology, and hardware which is subject to European or US export control and sanctions regulations & eligible to acquire the security clearance by their national security administrations.

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, Cyprus, Latvia, Lithuania and Slovakia.

According to the ESA Convention, staff shall be recruited on the basis of their qualifications, taking into account an adequate distribution of posts among nationals of the Member States.

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.