System Operations Unit Director - F/M

Created in 2009, ESSP is a young and dynamic pan‑European service provider certified by EASA to deliver safety‑critical services. Our mission is to operate and provide Communication, Navigation and Surveillance (CNS) services, including the main EGNOS service on behalf of the EUSPA.

Position: System Operations Director

Overview: The System Operations Director is responsible for coordinating operations, engineering, maintenance management, and operational outsourcing across the organization. As a member of the Operational Committee and the Extended Executive Committee, the Director supports and implements the company’s strategy, policies and ensures successful delivery of safety‑critical services while upholding security, safety, and quality standards.

Responsibilities

• Manage a team of approximately 80 people responsible for operations, engineering, and systems maintenance.
• Manage operational tools (procedures, platforms etc.) and execute operational outsourcing contracts (technical assistance, operational sites, logistics, network).
• Ensure risk management within the area of responsibility and continuously improve processes and tools.
• Implement contingency plans and play an active role during crisis situations.
• Co‑ordinate the definition of future operational requirements for service delivery and regulatory compliance before transmission to system architects.
• Coordinate effective cooperation between the COO, the Service Provision Unit Director and the Compliance Management Unit Director.
• Propose the annual operating budget for SOU and ensure its adherence.
• Provide expertise for responding to bids and validate workload and purchase estimates related to SOU activities.
• Contribute to the definition and implementation of the company’s strategy and development.
• Support the implementation of policies in HR, security, safety, and finance and ensure compliance with internal processes.
• Actively contribute to management meetings and company decision‑making.
• Contribute to the security of the company’s information systems within the limits of responsibilities, in cooperation with the Chief Security Officer and in line with the ISO 27001 certification.

Qualifications & Experience

• Minimum 7 years of team management experience.
• Experience in finance, contractualisation, and critical system operations in the aeronautic or aerospace domain.
• Strong knowledge of English (minimum B2, C1 preferred).
• Engineering degree or equivalent.
• Availability for regular travel within Europe.
• Ability to work during normal vacation periods (July/August, Christmas, February, Easter) and in crisis situations.
• Strong autonomy, organization, leadership, customer‑service orientation and internal collaboration.
• Experience with Microsoft software suites (MS Office, MS Project).
• Financial management skills (budget optimisation and cost control).
• Team‑player spirit and ability to synthesize and take initiative.

Benefits

• Variable bonuses based on objectives.
• Profit‑sharing.
• Teleworking up to 2 days per week.
• Restaurant voucher (card).
• Family health insurance.
• Sustainable mobility package (home‑office travel reimbursement if car‑sharing or bicycling).
• Reimbursement of 75 % of public transport subscription.
• Company car.

Location: Toulouse, France.

Contract type: Full‑time – Permanent contract.

EEO statement: ESSP is committed to cultural diversity, gender equality and the employment of disabled workers.