Head of Operations

Here at The Exploration Company, we are developing, producing, and operating Nyx, a modular and reusable space orbital vehicle that can eventually be refuelled in orbit and that can carry cargo - and potentially humans in the longer run. The Operations team is looking for a Head of Operations to own reliable, scalable, and efficient operations across all The Exploration Company sites (Munich, Bordeaux, Torino, Houston and test locations). Reporting to the COO, you will set the strategy for our buildings and workplaces, drive operational processes together with Digital and Quality (including EN9100), and ensure that ESG reporting and sustainability are embedded in how we build and run our sites. You won’t write every process yourself, but you will be the one who aligns stakeholders, sets priorities and standards, and makes sure things are implemented and actually used. RESPONSIBILITIES - Act as the central counterpart for Operations topics with Engineering, MAIT, HR, Digital, and Finance. Site & Workplace Strategy - Own the long-term site and building strategy: capacity planning, lease vs. buy/build decisions, and site masterplans in alignment with company growth. - Define and maintain workplace standards for offices, labs, integration halls, and test areas (layout principles, utilities needs, support functions, amenities). - Evaluate new locations and expansion options together with Finance, Legal, and business teams; support negotiations with landlords and partners. Facilities & Site Management - Set the operating model for site management across all locations (roles, responsibilities, interfaces); ensure local site leads can execute effectively. - Define and implement standard ways of working for facility operations: maintenance, cleaning, reception, logistics, and office services. - Own the OPEX/CAPEX budgets for facilities and site operations; forecast, track, and challenge spend across locations. - Lead major cross-site projects such as new site launches, large fit-outs, or consolidation moves, from business case to handover (including as-builts and O&M documentation). Process Ownership with Digital & Quality (incl. EN9100) - Co-lead the definition and rollout of operations-related processes within the company’s management system (“TEC OS”) together with Digital and Quality. - Drive the EN9100 implementation for all operations-relevant processes (facilities, logistics etc.) without being the primary author of every procedure. - Work with the Digital team to select, implement, and improve tools supporting operations. - Ensure processes are simple, documented, trained, and actually followed; lead root-cause analysis and corrective actions when gaps appear. ESG Reporting & Sustainability Strategy - Own the cross-site data collection for ESG/B-Corp-related reporting (energy, water, waste, recycling, business travel from an operations perspective). - Develop and maintain the sustainability roadmap for buildings and site operations (energy efficiency, renewable energy, waste reduction, circularity, responsible sourcing). - Work with Finance and Strategy to integrate sustainability into investment decisions (e.g. CAPEX justifications considering lifecycle cost and carbon footprint). - Coordinate with HR and Communications to make sustainability actions visible and understandable across the company. QUALIFICATIONS / SKILLS - 5+ years experience in leading operations, facilities, or workplace functions in industrial, aerospace, or comparable high-tech environments. - Proven track record in setting up and scaling site operations across multiple locations (offices, labs, integration halls, and/or test sites). - Strong experience designing and rolling out cross-site processes and standards, ideally within an ISO 9001/EN9100 or similar management system. - Familiarity with digital tools for operations (CMMS, ticketing/helpdesk, space/asset management, BI dashboards); comfortable working with Digital/IT on requirements and implementati