Team Leader Academic Partnership and Support

About the role

The Team Leader Academic Partnership and Support will report to the Head of the ESA Academy and head the Academic Partnership function within the ESA Education Office. The role is responsible for shaping ESA’s collaboration with universities across Europe, managing training programmes, and ensuring high‑quality educational content.

Key responsibilities

• Lead and coordinate the Academic Partnership and Support domain, covering both training and academic partnerships at strategic and operational levels.
• Manage teams responsible for training and academic partnerships, ensuring coherent planning, quality delivery, and strong performance.
• Define and evolve the ESA Academy training strategy and portfolio (onsite, online and hybrid) in line with ESA priorities and future skills needs.
• Oversee end‑to‑end design, delivery, quality assurance and continuous improvement of training programmes.
• Develop and steer the Academic Partnership framework, building and maintaining strategic relationships with universities and higher‑education stakeholders across Europe.
• Support the expansion of accessible, inclusive learning opportunities across ESA Member States and Associate Members.

Required profile

• Proven experience in leading teams and managing strategic partnerships in an academic or research environment.
• Strong understanding of higher‑education structures, scholarships, joint courses and student competitions.
• Ability to drive strategic development of training portfolios and coordinate multi‑disciplinary projects.
• Excellent communication and stakeholder‑management skills.

Required skills

What we offer

• Opportunity to shape Europe’s space education ecosystem.
• Work within a leading international space agency.
• Collaborative environment with academic and industry partners.