The CTAO (Cherenkov Telescope Array Observatory) will be the world’s largest and most powerful ground-based observatory for gamma-ray astronomy at very-high energies. The Observatory has recently moved into its most exciting phase of development: the construction phase. Teams around the world are working together to make the CTAO reality. And with sites and staff located in Italy, Germany, Spain, and Chile, the CTAO Central Organisation, which manages the construction and operation of the Observatory, is at the very centre of these activities.  

As the Deputy Project Manager, you will work with the Project Office team at the CTAO Headquarters in Bologna, Italy – the hub for the Observatory’s project, technical and administrative management. This highly skilled team – with experts in computing, systems engineering, telescope engineering, array common elements, and project control – is responsible for providing the resources, guidance, tools, and processes required to execute the project plan to build and operate more than 60 telescopes in La Palma, Spain, and Paranal, Chile. The Deputy Project Manager will support the Project Manager in the day-to-day operations of the project, ensuring its successful delivery by ensuring it stays on time, within budget, and meets the required quality standards. 

Interested? Here’s more about the position and what we’re looking for in a candidate… 

Key Responsibilities:

• Organise, direct, and control the activities necessary to build and commission the CTAO and to prepare the operation of the Observatory to meet the project’s technical, cost, schedule and quality objectives  
• Define, coordinate, and execute the processes necessary to manage the CTAO project 
• Develop and maintain the Project Plan, including budget and Work Breakdown Structure, Risk Register, Integrated Project Schedule, and other technical aspects of the project, as required 
• In collaboration with the Project Controller, manage the technical progress, cost, schedule, and risks of the project using formal management techniques working with work package managers and In-Kind Contributors (IKCs) 
• Prepare documents and reports for CTAO internal stakeholders and the Council, as required 
• Prepare, revise, and execute IKC and hosting agreements, that define the contractual obligations of the CTAO, as well as the contributors and hosting countries 
• Participate in and, when necessary, act on behalf of the Project Manager as Chair of the CTAO Configuration Control Board, the Risk Management Board, and any other relevant meeting 

Qualifications and Experience:

• University degree in engineering, physics, astronomy or equivalent. 
• At least three years of project management experience. Desirable if in an international project, public body, or multinational company, with a record of successful project management outcomes. 
• Experience dealing with multi-disciplinary and multi-cultural teams of scientists, engineers, and administrators developing scientific research infrastructures is desirable. 
• Experience dealing with consortia/in-kind contribution funding models is desirable. 
• Familiarity with: Work Breakdown Structure (WBS), Product Breakdown Structure (PBS), schedule management and risk management are necessary. Highly desirable: Earned Value Management (EVM), budget, In-Kind Contribution and Monte Carlo analysis. 
• PMP certification or equivalent is desirable. 
• Positive attitude, flexibility to adapt quickly to shifting priorities and requirements and the ability to operate within a tailored management approach to accommodate cost and schedule constraints. 
• Good negotiation and persuasion skills to accommodate stakeholder interests and facilitate collaboration with contributors. 
• Excellent communication and writing skills in English. Knowledge of Spanish and/or Italian is desirable. 

You’ll be reporting to: CTAO Project Manager 

Your duty station:  Bologna, Italy. Travel to CTAO sites, locations of In-Kind Contributor teams in Europe and occasionally to Asia, the Americas, and Australia is required. 

What we offer: CTAO offers an attractive remuneration package including a competitive salary and benefits package. The contract is open term. 

How to apply: Please apply on BambooHR 

Applications deadline: 30 April 2025 

For this job posting we would like to encourage people that comply with the Italian law 68/99 to send us their applications. 

For more information on CTAO please visit www.ctao.org. 

For more information on the advertised position please contact, ctao-hr@cta-observatory.org. 

Applications are accepted and evaluated without distinction on any grounds of gender, race, colour, ethnic or social origin, genetic features, language, religion or belief, political or any other opinion, membership of a national minority, gender identity, property, birth, disability, age or sexual orientation.