Agency programme head

Pay in the destination countries

Monthly, in US dollars. Each country is an Imora admission package — open one for that route's fees, language requirement and deadline.

What does the day look like?

Executive management and diplomacy take 40% of the working time, negotiating state contributions, treaty obligations, and ministerial mandates like the ESA Ministerial Council or UN COPUOS in Vienna. Another 25% is spent defending public budgets before parliament, shaping industrial policy, and allocating procurement contracts. International bilateral summits like NASA-ESA accords, press conferences following launch anomalies, and national security briefings take 20%. The remaining 15% is spent reviewing system stage gates and launch readiness board recommendations. Tools include SAP ERP, Oracle Government Cloud, secure diplomatic communications channels, and tracking databases.

Working hours run 60 to 70 hours per week, with over 100 days per year of transcontinental travel. The role requires being on call 24/7 during launch windows, orbital insertions, or spaceflight emergencies. Shift work does not apply. Rather than wearing flight suits or directing rocket trajectories, 85% of the position consists of public administration, international politics, government lobbying, procurement disputes, and budget negotiation.

Where does this lead?