Head of the Digital Strategy and Enablement Office - European Space Agency (Noordwijk)

About this position

The summary below is published by European Space Agency on the official vacancy notice. Our own analysis — salary realism, comparable openings, career trajectory, language profile — follows further down the page.

Key responsibilities

According to the vacancy notice, the role centres on the following duties:

• Translate CDIO's strategic direction into integrated roadmaps, priorities and management frameworks
• Build and evolve integrated management system for DDIT as strategic Agency capability
• Coordinate cross-unit governance across federated DDIT organisation
• Establish and operate integrated portfolio, programme, project and demand management
• Shape and improve governance of DDIT delivery including service management, sourcing strategy, vendor and contract management
• Lead evolution of ESA's enterprise architecture management framework
• Create environment for innovation through technology scouting and digital product incubation
• Provide integrated strategic and management support to CDIO

Are you eligible?

Check these requirements from the notice before investing time in an application:

• Education: Master's degree in information technology, engineering, business administration, economics or another relevant discipline
• Experience: Substantial professional experience in digital, data and IT strategy, transformation or management in a large and complex organisation, including experience in IT strategy and operating models, portfolio and demand management, enterprise architecture, delivery governance, sourcing and vendor management, and innovation. Demonstrated experience translating strategic direction into executable roadma…
• Key skills: Digital, data and IT strategy understanding, IT portfolio, demand, investment and performance management, Designing and implementing integrated IT management and delivery governance frameworks, Enterprise architecture management, Translating strategy into executable roadmaps, Organisational transformation and federated operating models, Technology and innovation management, Executive-level decision support, Strategic and analytical thinking, Influencing and communication skills

Contract and working arrangements

Contract duration: 4 years, extendable to indefinite.

Working arrangements: On-site at ESTEC, Noordwijk, Netherlands. Mobility inherent to management functions with potential rotation opportunities after approximately five years..

Hiring unit: Resources and Services Directorate.

Position details

Reference

1456850033

Last Verified

12 November 2026

Position overview

This is the official EU Careers listing for Head of the Digital Strategy and Enablement Office at ESA based in Noordwijk (Other). The vacancy reference is 1456850033.

Job Requisition ID:21208

Date Posted:12 November 2026

Closing Date:3 December 2026 23:59 CET/CEST

Publication Method:Internal & External

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

Directorate:Resources and Services

Location ESTEC, Noordwijk, Netherlands

Description

Under the direct authority of the CDIO, the Head of the Digital Strategy and Enablement Office plays a critical role in shaping and orchestrating ESA’s Digital, Data and IT (DDIT) agenda across the Agency.

The Office supports the CDIO in translating strategic direction into Agency-wide priorities, governance and execution, providing an integrated view across strategy, portfolio, enterprise architecture, performance and the federated Digital, Data and IT operating model. It acts as the key orchestration function connecting the DDIT Department, ESA directorates and key corporate stakeholders.

The Head of Office leads this function, drives strategic alignment and cross-cutting transformation, and enables the CDIO in steering the evolution of Digital, Data and IT as a strategic Agency capability.

Duties

Your tasks and responsibilities will include:

- translating the CDIO’s strategic direction into integrated roadmaps, priorities and management frameworks, driving alignment and tracking implementation across the federated DDIT organisation; - building and evolving the integrated management system required to run DDIT as a strategic Agency capability, connecting strategy, portfolio, investments, resources, performance and delivery; - coordinating cross-unit governance across the federated DDIT organisation to ensure the transparency, consistency and integrated perspective required for effective decision-making, while delivery accountability remains with the respective organisational units; - establishing and operating integrated portfolio, programme, project and demand management, enabling strategic prioritisation, value tracking and effective allocation of resources; - shaping and continuously improving the governance of DDIT delivery, including service management, sourcing strategy, vendor, contract and asset management, quality and audit management, and operational excellence; - leading the evolution of ESA’s enterprise architecture management framework, providing an integrated view across business, data, application and technology architecture, technology roadmaps and lifecycle management; - creating the environment required for innovation to shift from exploration to adoption, through technology scouting, innovation management and digital product incubation; - providing integrated strategic and management support to the CDIO, including strategic analysis, performance insight, preparation of decision options and executive-level material, coordination of cross-cutting priorities and systematic follow-through.

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

Technical competencies

Strong understanding of digital, data and IT strategy, operating models and governance frameworks in large and complex organisations

Strong knowledge of IT portfolio, demand, investment and performance management, including prioritisation and value realisation

Experience in designing and implementing integrated IT management and delivery governance frameworks, including service management, sourcing and vendor governance

Strong understanding of enterprise architecture management and its role in strategic planning, investment decisions and technology lifecycle management

Experience in translating strategy into executable roadmaps, management frameworks and measurable outcomes

Strong understanding of organisational transformation and federated operating models, including cross-organisational governance and orchestration

Understanding of technology and innovation management, including the assessment and adoption of emerging technologies

Experience in executive-level decision support, integrating complex strategic, financial, portfolio, performance and delivery information into clear management insights

Behavioural competencies

Education and professional experience

A master’s degree in information technology, engineering, business administration, economics or another relevant discipline is required.

You should have substantial professional experience in digital, data and IT strategy, transformation or management in a large and complex organisation, including experience in several of the following areas: IT strategy and operating models; portfolio, demand and performance management; enterprise architecture; delivery governance; sourcing and vendor management; and innovation. You should have demonstrated experience in translating strategic direction into executable roadmaps and management frameworks, and in driving cross-organisational initiatives involving multiple stakeholders and organisational boundaries. Experience working with senior executives and governance bodies, preparing complex decisions and providing integrated management insight is essential. Proven management experience, including leading, developing and motivating multidisciplinary teams, is required.

Additional requirements

- Proven ability to navigate complex stakeholder environments and build alignment across organisational boundaries - Strong strategic and analytical thinking, with the ability to synthesise complex information and translate it into clear priorities and decision options - Excellent influencing and communication skills, including the ability to engage effectively with senior stakeholders - High degree of initiative, judgement and pragmatism, with the ability to work effectively amid ambiguity and changing priorities - Demonstrated ability to lead, motivate and develop multidisciplinary teams and foster collaboration across organisational boundaries - Strong organisational skills and the ability to maintain a coherent overview of multiple strategic and operational priorities

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, beginning after approximately five years in this role.

Application timeline

This vacancy was first listed on 12 November 2026, 1 day ago.

The application deadline is 3 December 2026, 18 days from today. Late applications are not accepted, so submit through the official EU Careers portal well in advance.

Last verified against the EU Careers feed on 12 November 2026.

Where to learn more

For headcount, mission, and other open vacancies at ESA see the ESA institution page; for the cost of living, correction coefficient, and other postings in Noordwijk see our Noordwijk location page.

New to EU careers? Our beginner's guide walks through entry routes, EPSO competitions, and what to prepare. For application logistics see application tips and EPSO competitions.