Background: The UK Space Agency:
The UK Space Agency (UKSA) is an executive agency of the Department for Science, Innovation & Technology (DSIT) and provides technical advice on the government’s space strategy, supporting the UK space sector to deliver the government’s vision.
Space is a part of everyday life. Satellites underpin our national economy, from agriculture and banking to aviation and shipping, and support our national security. Space science provides critical data to understand and address global challenges such as climate change, while missions to explore our solar system unite nations and advance humanity’s horizons.
We support a thriving space sector in the UK, which generates an annual income of £16.5 billion and employs 47,000 people across the country.
Through our portfolio of programmes and projects, we encourage the development of national space capabilities and are an early-stage investor in space research and development. We also promote the UK space sector’s interests and achievements; make connections to join up industry and academia; and represent the UK in international space programmes.
We have a powerful global voice, partnering with institutions across the world, including the European Space Agency.
More information about the Agency is available here:
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Our Inclusive Environment
We have an inclusive culture to make UK Space Agency a brilliant place to work where our people feel valued, have a voice and can be their authentic selves. We value difference and diversity, not only because we believe it is the right thing to do, but because it will help us be more innovative and make better decisions.
We offer first-class flexible working benefits, excellent employee well-being support and a great pension. We are fortunate to have a range of excellent staff networks and are proud to be a Disability Confident Leader employer. We will support talented people from all backgrounds to build a career and thrive.
We actively welcome applications from anyone who shares our commitment to inclusion.
The Exploration Team
The Exploration Team is a part of the UK Space Agency’s Discovery Directorate, alongside the Space Science team. It leads the UK's initiatives in areas where humans have already explored, or are set to - namely Low Earth Orbit, the Moon, and Mars. These efforts are in alignment with the European Space Agency's Exploration Programme, of which the UK is a member
Job Purpose
The Head of Space Exploration will lead the UK Government’s exploration activities, work closely with the Head of Space Science and support UK Space Agency Directors in delivery, communication and management of all UK Space Agency’s objectives.
This opportunity offers an exciting and challenging role, requiring a leader who, during a time of change for the Exploration team and wider Agency, can provide leadership, maintain stakeholder relationships and influence and secure delivery of the Exploration portfolio which is decades in span, large and complex, politically sensitive, technically complex and has a number of high-profile national and international stakeholders.
As a senior leader in the Agency, the post holder will be part of the Agency Leadership Group with collective responsibility for building a great place for our people to work. The job holder will communicate and embed the Agency’s values and vision along with sustaining and developing the Space Exploration team and programme.
The job holder will be responsible for providing strategic direction for the Exploration programme ensuring this is consistent with government and the UK Space Agency and DSIT strategies and will ensure the strategy is implemented within the resources available, following DSIT and UK Space Agency’s procedures, rules and guidelines.
A large proportion of the programme is delivered through our participation in the European Space Agency’s (ESA) Exploration programme and as such the post holder will work with ESA to ensure the ESA programme is aligned with UK strategy and that the ESA programme is well managed.
In addition, the post holder is responsible for a national programme of activities to support early technology development, the build of science experiments and instruments, and research that enables future Exploration needs.
The post holder will ensure that Exploration activities conform to UK Space Agency governance and management standards and will meet the tests of internal and external scrutiny including adherence to Managing Public Money, Grant Management and Project Delivery standards. The post holder will plan and prioritise future work and will report progress, risks and benefits to the Directorate Portfolio Board and Agency Delivery Board.
The role will require strong stakeholder management skills, the ability to work constructively across government, work with international partners, engage with industry, academia and represent the UK Space Agency at a senior level with partners. You will need an open, flexible, critical approach with the ability to find solutions that are acceptable to all partners. The post holder will need to display a methodical and evidence-based approach to understanding requirements but also the ability to think creatively about and proposing and implementing policy solutions.
Exploration regularly attracts media attention and as such the post holder will be expected to act as a media spokesperson for the UK Space Agency.
Key Responsibilities:
* Leading the Space Exploration Programme. As the Head of Exploration for the programme the post holder will oversee the continued development of the portfolio strategy and delivery plan, ensuring the right balance between national, European and global activities and a healthy pipeline of future activity. They will ensure the programme and projects within it delivers the objectives and benefits as defined in the associated business cases. This will include reviewing and refreshing the business case; forming and leading the necessary programme teams; ensuring adherence to government and UK Space Agency standards and processes, representing the UK interests at the ESA Human Spaceflight and Exploration Programme Board, and at a number of international meetings. This includes working with the Space Science Team to closely co-ordinate related and complementary activities, representing the UK among senior stakeholders in industry, Whitehall and internationally and deputise for the responsible Director
* Strategy The post holder will work with DSIT and other Whitehall departments and in consultation with the community develop the UK exploration strategy and priorities within the international exploration landscape.
* Programme Implementation and Programme Management in consultation with UK Research and Innovation, DSIT and across the agency, develop national activities to implement the strategy ensuring that the activities are consistent with UK Space Agency procedures, rules, guidelines and best practice. Ensure that robust business cases have been documented at the start of the activity and that appropriate project/programme management, monitoring and evaluation procedures are in place and followed. Through membership of ESA’s HME Programme Board oversee the ESA projects, acting as a critical friend to see that programme monitoring and controls are in place and that the Board is provided with the information to required to assess progress and risks. The post holder or their representative will sit on relevant steering committees and may be invited by ESA to sit on ESA’s top level tracking committees as a senior project manager. The post holder will provide guidance and support to the team on projects that are in difficulties and options for getting programmes on track. The post holder will ensure that problems and risks are raised up the UK Space Agency system to the appropriate level.
* Team Management The post holder will manage a team of approximately 10 people ensuring the team understand their roles and how this fits in with UK Space Agency strategy and corporate objectives. The post will assist staff to fulfil their potential and enable appropriate training and opportunities to develop. They will role model and uphold high standards of Diversity and Inclusion within the directorate and as part of the Agency Leadership Group.
* Communications The post is responsible for communicating the activities, achievements and benefits of the exploration programme both internally and externally. This includes undertaking TV and radio interviews.
Proud member of the Disability Confident employer scheme
Disability Confident
About Disability Confident
A Disability Confident employer will generally offer an interview to any applicant that declares they have a disability and meets the minimum criteria for the job as defined by the employer. It is important to note that in certain recruitment situations such as high-volume, seasonal and high-peak times, the employer may wish to limit the overall numbers of interviews offered to both disabled people and non-disabled people. For more details please go to Disability Confident .