Head of Engineering Operations

Department Public Sector- Minimum experience Executive- Company primary industry Electrical/Electronic Management- Job functional area Engineering**JOB TITLE**: Head of Engineering Operations

**Key Responsibilities**:

- Provide the vision and leadership for a group of 40-50 staff who will be responsible for the engineering needs of SKAO in South Africa, as well as the operational support and local development of the SKA-Mid telescope, building an inclusive and high performing culture.
- Lead engineering upgrades and development through the lifetime of the SKA-Mid telescope.
- Work with THE COMPANY and SKAO to hire a diverse and talented team of staff to support the engineering operations needs of the SKAO in South Africa.
- Work as one of the senior staff of the SKAO in South Africa as a core member of the SKA-Mid Management Team.
- Own the SKA-Mid telescope Standard Operating Procedures for engineering and maintenance activities to plan and implement engineering operations end-to-end, providing updates and reports as necessary.
- Work as a senior member of the Operations group to represent engineering performance issues, to promote and encourage best engineering practices.
- Work closely with the SKAO Engineering Managers in all aspects of engineering operations and performance across the Observatory to deliver common approaches that maximise efficiency and performance.
- Support the roadmap development for the tools, processes and techniques that will be required for the oversight and management of engineering performance of the Observatory.
- Provide updates and reports as necessary on the status of SKA-Mid Engineering Operations in South Africa.
- Travel, as required, to national and international meetings to represent the SKAO and the engineering Operations of SKA-Mid in South Africa in particular.
- Communicate openly, effectively, and respectfully with all staff, clients, and suppliers in the interests of good business practice, collaboration, and enhancement of SKAO and THE COMPANY’s reputation.
- Adhere to the spirit and practice of both SKAO and THE COMPANY’s Values as well as the Code of Conduct, Health, Safety and Environment procedures and policy, Diversity initiatives and Zero Harm goals.
- Undertake any other reasonable duties as directed.

**Key Requirements**:
Qualification:

- Bachelor’s degree in an engineering discipline (preferably HPC or Electronics)
- Eng registration or membership to SAIEE or IEEE or ECSA

**Experience**:

- A total of 15 years’ experience of which:

- 10+ years relevant professional experience in engineering leadership of a high-technology or scientific facility including maintenance management;
- a further 5 years leading engineering operational teams; and
- Demonstrable record of successfully delivering long-term monitoring of engineering performance, tracking of metrics, and of driving performance improvements to manage an efficient engineering and maintenance operation.
- A demonstrated record of successful leadership and management of teams, promoting diversity and developing an inclusive, high-performing culture. Experience of all aspects of people management including recruitment, capability development and performance management.
- Demonstrated ability to communicate clearly, concisely, and confidently at all levels, presenting complex engineering issues and concepts in a style appropriate to the audience, and the ability to represent SKAO externally.
- Excellent interpersonal, communication and negotiation skills, with the ability to influence, build trust, shape conversations, and change behaviours through effective relationship-building.
- Managing remote work
- A demonstrated record of establishing and running of service level agreements preferably in the NEC4 suite of contracts.

Knowledge:

- Teamwork and Collaboration: Creates and fosters an environment in which there is a high level of cooperation within and between teams. Facilitates positive team relationships to build interactions across Business Units and the organisation.
- Influence and Communication: Uses complex influencing strategies, for example, assembling strategic coalitions, building behind the scenes support and the tactical use of information to gain support.
- Resource Management/Leadership: Provides leadership that fosters an environment that encourages new ideas and provides support for the development of emerging skills. Creates trust by displaying consistency, understanding, integrity and patience. Plans, seeks, allocates and monitors resources to achieve outcomes.
- Judgement and Problem Solving: Resolves major conceptual scientific, technical, commercial or management problems, which have a significant impact upon the field of research, professional function, the Business Unit or the Organisation. Situations faced have little or no precedent and require original concepts and approaches.
- Independence: Commits significant resources in the face of uncertainty and takes