ESS Project Director

The European Spallation Source ERIC, ESS, is hiring motivated and inspired people to design, construct and operate the world’s most powerful neutron source. We seek ambitious, talented people in a range of fields who are excited about playing a part in the future of science in Europe. ESS is based in the university city Lund, Sweden, with a data science centre in Copenhagen. ESS is a partnership of 13 European countries.

ESS invites applications for the position of ESS Project Director reporting directly to the Director General and is part of the Executive management team, that also acts as the Steering Committee of the ESS project. The ESS Project is the ensemble of activities that will deliver the ESS facility ready for steady state operations. The ESS Project Director is accountable to the Director General for the management of the cost, schedule and overall performance of the project.

About the team
The Project Directorate consists of several teams with various experience and expertise, working together to achieve the Project Directorate’s goals, facilitating integration of work across the subprojects; monitoring, communicating, and reporting on progress; and managing project changes in terms of schedule, cost and performance

About the role
As the successful candidate and future ESS Project Director, you are an experienced project manager and leader, providing direction and inspiring the implementation of solutions and apply best management practices that address the project’s priorities. You can:


• collect and analyse high-quality data from all of the subprojects, such as Accelerator, Target and Instruments allowing for an excellent overview on the state of the project in terms of cost, schedule and performance.
• report the state of the project to the Steering Committee and equally directly to other stakeholders.
• drive the change processes concerning budget and schedule in a highly agile and forward-looking way to maintain optimum project performance. As this cannot be done without accounting for technical constraints and opportunities, you assure a tight link with the Technical Directorate.
• update cost and schedule based on decisions from the Steering Committee.
• drive risk management and ensure that project opportunities are identified and risk mitigation actions are taken.
• execute project management processes and tools.
• initiate and direct project changes and intervention actions to achieve project goals using approved change control policies and procedures.
• Demonstrate experience in successfully finalising projects

About you
You should have an advanced university degree in engineering, physics or relevant discipline, and the following work experience


• At least ten years of experience in leading complex projects including a significant period working in a large, international and fast-paced organisation
• Substantial experience in leading teams and efforts associated with building state-of-the-art facility infrastructures associated with experience in human resources management
• Experience from a large-scale research facility is desirable
• Experience working in collaboration with partner institutions from different countries
• A proven track record in delivering change management
• Demonstrated ability to organise and execute assignments and action plans
• Possess excellent presentation skills, and perfectly master English orally and in written form.

You have outstanding skills in analysing complex problems that allow you to elaborate result-oriented, efficient solutions that you implement with conviction and persuasiveness. As a leader you are balanced, driven and have the ability to coach your team through complex issues. You are highly motivated, forward thinking, and have strong communication and interpersonal skills.

What ESS will offer
At ESS you can expect:


• a unique opportunity to influence the future of science and technology.
• a work environment with innovative minds and people from all over the world
• a challenging, exciting and fast-paced work environment
• market competitive compensation that is individual and differentiated according
• to role, responsibilities, individual skills, abilities, and achievements
• benefits including 30 days of annual leave, flexible working arrangements and focus on work life balance
• and where applicable relocation support and allowances may also be available

Duration & Location
The position is a five-year appointment. The employment type is permanent with six months initial probation period.

Your work place will be situated in Lund, Sweden. 

Start date
The position is to be filled as soon as possible.

Application & Contact
Please provide your curriculum vitae in English by clicking on “apply” and follow the instructions. Please note that we only accept applications via the ESS website.

For this roles, ESS health check-ups and security clearance are required, and will be applicable in the final part of the recruitment process.

The deadline for applications is 30 April, 2022 please note that we will review applications continuously, so kindly submit your application at your earliest convenience.

For more information regarding the ESS recruitment process, please follow this link https://europeanspallationsource.se/ess-recruitment-process. 

For further information regarding the recruitment process, please contact Anna Hansson Kalaris, Head of Division Human Resources, Anna.HanssonKalaris@ess.eu

For information concerning trade union, please contact Unionen / Conny Wendt at conny.wendt@ess.eu or SACO / Swedish Association of Graduate Engineers/ Johan Waldeck at johan.waldeck@ess.eu

We look forward to receiving your application!