Satellite Services Director

This is an exciting chance to work in a pioneering space company shaping and delivering SSTL’s satellite service work. Reporting to the Managing Director, this role is an opportunity to join SSTL’s Executive team with responsibility for leadership and direction of the Satellite Services division at SSTL, ensuring successful delivery of all contractual service commitments, present and future.

SSTL operates a number of satellites, with Service-Level Agreements that dictate what those satellites need to do to enable our customers to meet their objectives. This role is responsible for all operations activities with those satellites.

About SSTL:

Considered the pioneers of the small satellite market, and with a heritage that spans over 40 years, SSTL prides itself in continual innovation and improvement of space technologies, products, and services, as well as in delivering space missions for a broad array of applications, like high-resolution Earth Imaging, communications (including from the moon), science, and navigation. Since 1981, SSTL has built and launched 74 satellites, including 7 constellations, and has 10+ further satellites and payloads under contract. The entire spacecraft lifecycle—from study activities to subsystem manufacturing, assembly and testing, to in-orbit operations and service provision—is managed from SSTL’s Guildford headquarters.

Key Tasks:

• Deliver all contractual and internal satellite service commitments on time, with quality, and within budget.
• Contribute to the management and strategy of the business as a member of the Executive Team.
• Develop and implement an ITIL-based service model responsive to customer needs, ensuring satellite operations are safe and reliable.
• Improve service delivery processes to adapt to changing business requirements.
• Lead technical functions such as spacecraft operations and ground segment hardware.
• Develop strong customer and stakeholder relationships to serve as a point of escalation for service issues.
• Drive service delivery, ensuring teams are properly resourced and capable.
• Maintain appropriate reporting on service activities, financials, and risks.
• Identify opportunities to increase revenue within service projects.
• Empower teams with clear targets and accountability.
• Create and execute a Satellite Service Roadmap aligned with future customer needs.
• Strengthen team capabilities through development opportunities.
• Ensure accurate planning for financial and resource forecasting.
• Maintain close communication with customer account managers and other business units.
• Manage direct reports throughout their employment lifecycle.

Previous Experience:

• Proven success in delivering complex services, ideally in satellite or aerospace industries.
• Strategic planning experience.
• Customer interfacing experience.
• Leadership and management at an executive level.
• Experience in service delivery across the entire lifecycle.
• Experience in contract implementation.

Qualifications, Knowledge & Skills:

• Degree or equivalent in a relevant discipline.
• Excellent interpersonal and communication skills.
• Strong leadership and team development skills.
• Highly organized, self-motivated, and proactive.
• Effective at interfacing at all levels and presenting to customers.
• Results-driven, adaptable, and capable of managing multiple tasks.
• Decision-making and creative problem-solving skills.
• Strong commercial acumen and understanding of contracts and assurance plans.
• Proficiency in MS Office and project management tools.
• Ability to embody company values: accountability, drive, effective communication, self-management, and teamwork.

#J-18808-Ljbffr