Project Manager - Scheduler, IRIS2 Programme Office

PROGRAM DESCRIPTION

IRIS2 is the new European Union secure satellite constellation. This project is the European Union's answer to the pressing challenges of tomorrow to provide secure connectivity services and enhanced communication capacities to the EU and its Member States. In addition, as well as to governmental users, private companies and European citizens while benefiting from ensuring high-speed internet broadband to cope with connectivity dead zones.

SES – together with other consortium partners and core members – has been selected by European Commission to build and to operate the IRIS2 multi-orbit satellite constellation.

As the project enters its next phase, our team is expanding to support the development of future services and products enabled by the IRIS2 system. We are now seeking skilled professionals to help shape the service provisioning landscape and ensure the successful deployment of cutting-edge satellite connectivity solutions.

ROLE DESCRIPTION

We are seeking a Project Manager – Scheduler with proven expertise in building complex, integrated schedules for large-scale satellite programmes. This role is critical to ensuring the successful delivery of satellite development projects and associated systems within the IRIS² Programme – a major European secure connectivity initiative.

You will design and maintain a robust scheduling framework, from top-level programme milestones down to detailed work packages, ensuring visibility, accuracy, and alignment across all stakeholders. Your work will enable proactive decision-making and timely execution of programme objectives.

As a member of an agile project organization, you will be expected to bring a flexible way of working and an adaptive mindset to a dynamic development environment. In alignment with your manager on the focus area of the role, you will work across SES departments and/or Consortium Members teams and/or with external stakeholders (e.g. EC, ESA, EUSPA, contractors) to ensure project transparency, regulatory compliance, and strategic alignment.

As a Project Manager, Scheduler, IRIS2 Programme Office, you will be responsible to:

• Develop and maintain detailed project schedules at segment and subsystem levels, aligned with contractual and programme milestones.
• Consolidate lower-level schedules into a fully integrated master schedule, ensuring coherence and traceability.
• Establish and manage the programme-level schedule, capturing dependencies, interfaces, and critical paths.
• Perform schedule analysis, track progress, identify variances, and recommend corrective actions.
• Support risk management through schedule impact assessments and simulations.
• Collaborate with engineering, project management, and leadership teams to enforce planning standards and best practices.
• Provide schedule reporting to internal and external stakeholders, ensuring transparency and compliance with programme governance.

QUALIFICATIONS & EXPERIENCE

• Bachelor's or Master's degree in a relevant field in project management, engineering, or a related field.
• Minimum 5 years of experience in project management, with a focus on schedule and milestone management.
• Experience working with government agencies and stakeholders, including milestone review and quality panel processes.
• Proficiency in project management tools and techniques, including scheduling software and document management systems.
• Proven ability to build integrated schedules from top-level milestones to detailed work packages.
• Proficiency in Microsoft Project and Jira (or equivalent planning tools).
• Strong knowledge of project lifecycle management, dependencies, and critical path methodology.
• Fluency in English, both written and spoken, with proficiency in additional European languages a plus.

COMPETENCIES

• Strong ability to work independently and with limited supervision in complex environments, e.g. project or matrix organizations
  • Flexibility and adaptability in response to changing project's role, requirements and environments
  • Ability to think strategically and align project goals with organizational objectives
  • Excellent problem-solving and decision-making abilities

• Strong project management skills, with a focus on schedule and milestone management.
• Ability to work collaboratively with cross-functional teams and stakeholders.
• Excellent communication and facilitation skills, with the ability to manage complex discussions and documentation.
• Strong organizational and analytical skills, with the ability to manage multiple priorities and deadlines.

OTHER KEY REQUIREMENTS / COMMENTS

• Eligibility for ESA/EU SECRET personnel security clearances is essential. Candidates must be prepared to undergo a security clearance procedure, as this position may require holding such a clearance
• Willing to work at least 60% onsite from office
• Travel as required for project realization purposes and on-time delivery of major program milestones
• Program performance reporting quality (internal & external)
• Audit readiness and compliance with funding regulations
• Level of stakeholder satisfaction
• Improvement in PM maturity across supported projects

The job responsibilities outlined in this document are not exhaustive and may evolve over time and be reviewed according to business needs.