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 organisation to hire a diverse and talented team of staff to support the engineering operations needs in South Africa.
• Work as one of the senior staff 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.
• Adhere to the spirit and practice of both of 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:
Bachelors degree in an engineering discipline (preferably HPC or Electronics)
Pr. 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; and
• 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 representthe organisation 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 thescenes 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 calculated risks to improve performance and achieve challenging goals. Uses personal energy to drive change strategies. Formulates and implements contingency plans to minimise the impact of potential risks. Accepts personal responsibility for the outcomes of decisions/risks taken.
• Adaptability: Is flexible in response to external change or when faced with external constraints. Identifies and promotes the opportunities arising as a result of change.