Air Transport Project Manager

• Function title: Air Transport Project Manager
• Reference: NOC-AT-2026-AD/1119
• The selected candidate must reside either at this location or within a reasonable proximity that allows for the satisfactory execution of their duties. The Innovation Hub is expected to relocate to the Innovation Cluster Paris-Saclay around 2028.
• Nature of competition: Internal and external competition
• Applicable regulations: Staff regulations governing officials of the EUROCONTROL Agency
• Duration of appointment: 5 Year(s) - renewal or conversion of the contract is possible under certain conditions see "Useful information" section
• Security clearance: Security vetting may be required in accordance with the relevant EUROCONTROL security policies
• Directorate/Service: ATD/INO/CoE - Centre of expertise
• Working arrangement: EUROCONTROL operates a hybrid working model that combines onsite presence with remote work opportunities. Remote working is subject to specific limits set out in internal rules and must align with business needs and managerial approval. Please note that full-time remote work is not permitted.
• Reserve list: Applicable - See details in the "Useful information" section

Your team

Within the The Aviation Transformation Directorate ,the EUROCONTROL Innovation Hub (EIH) carries out research, innovation and simulation activities to help improve European aviation performance, safety and sustainability, bridging the gap between R&D and operations. The EIH also addresses emerging new technologies as well as deployment of drones and urban air mobility systems.

The Project Manager will join the Centre of Expertise (CoE) and will be responsible for managing projects throughout their full lifecycle, from initiation to closure, ensuring delivery within agreed scope, quality, time and budget. The role involves planning and coordinating activities, allocating and monitoring resources, managing risks, supporting governance activities and ensuring effective collaboration and communication among internal and external stakeholders. The Project Manager contributes to innovation and R&D oriented initiatives, including SESAR-related activities.

Your role

Your role will be to:

• Manage Air Traffic Management (ATM) Research & Innovation (R&I) projects across the full project management lifecycle, including planning, execution, monitoring, risk management and closure, ensuring effective contribution from assigned staff and delivery within agreed scope, time, quality and budget.
• Define project objectives, scope and deliverables, and organise and coordinate contributors according to required competencies and inputs.
• Produce and deliver project and financial reporting, and presentations to various entities to promote EUROCONTROL's contribution to relevant projects (e.g. EUROCONTROL Stakeholder consultation fora, European Commission).
• Implement all provisions of the Grant Agreements for R&I projects signed between EUROCONTROL and the sponsors if any (e.g. European Commission, SESAR Join Undertaking.) ensuring both quality and timely delivery of project activities.
• Ensure compliance with applicable rules (e.g. EUROCONTROL, Horizon Europe), procedures and reporting requirements throughout the project lifecycle, including the use of funds allocated to the project.
• Collaborate effectively with stakeholders and partners, using digital, data-driven and AI-enabled tools where appropriate to support planning, monitoring and reporting, and to ensure alignment, transparency and timely decision-
• Carry out any other task in line with the main purpose of the job.

Required qualifications, experience & competencies

• Candidates must fulfil one of the following educational and professional experience requirements:
  • Completion of third level studies in a relevant field meeting European Qualifications Framework (EQF) level 7 followed by at least 5 years relevant professional experience managing projects in an international environment or
  • Completion of third level studies in a relevant field meeting European Qualifications Framework (EQF) level 6 followed by at least 6 years relevant professional experience managing projects in an international environment.
• Internal candidates can check on the intranet to see what level of in‑house experience is considered equivalent to educational qualifications where appropriate.

A project management certification would be considered an advantage e.g. :

• Project Management Professional (PMP).
• Professional in Business Analysis (PMI).
• Agile Project Management (PMI‑ACP).
• Experience in human and financial resource management, in particular large budgets.
• Experience in R&D and/or Innovation related activities.
• Experience working in complex, multi‑stakeholder environments, with strong stakeholder management and communication skills.
• Understanding of procedures and rules governing publicly funded projects and grant contracts (e.g. budget, reporting, procedures).
• Understanding of the Air Traffic Management (ATM) context and challenges, including Air Traffic Control (ATC) operations and/or Network Management (NM) principles, constraints and interfaces.
• Technical drafting skills (English).
• Would be considered an asset:
  • Familiarity with the EUROCONTROL and SESAR activities.
  • Experience in leading and managing EU‑funded or SESAR‑related projects and grant contracts.
  • Digital, data‑driven and AI literacy, with the ability to use modern tools to support project planning, monitoring, reporting and decision‑making in a responsible manner.
• Planning and organising: you apply planning principles to achieve business objectives.
• Communication: you adapt your communication to different situations and audiences.
• Result focus: you ensure the achievement of shared goals.
• Problem solving: you anticipate and solve business issues.
• Managing change: you support the change process.
• Ability to work in a multinational and multicultural environment.
• Professional conduct in line with the corporate behaviours of the Agency, i.e. result‑driven, readiness to change, customer focus, integrity and team‑player approach.
• The working languages of the Agency are English and French. For this particular job, candidates must be proficient users of English at level C1. Basic knowledge of French (A1/A2) is desirable. The selected candidate will be required to become a basic user of French at level A1/A2 before the end of the probation period.The levels relate to the European-framework-reference Common European Framework of References for languages (CEFR).

EUROCONTROL is an equal opportunities employer. We are committed to equality and diversity. In the event of equal merit, preference may be given to the applicant from the under‑represented diversity characteristics in order to complement diversity of teams and rebalance the workforce.