Head of Geo-Intelligence & Earth Observation

Overview

As Head of GI, you’ll manage SAC’s Geo-Intelligence and Earth Observation (EO) team — providing expert insight and team leadership and helping to shape strategic direction for our Missions. You’ll be a senior remote sensing specialist, a line manager, and a champion for innovation and collaboration.

You’ll ensure the GI team is:

• The right shape and size to meet SAC’s strategic goals
• Embedded across our programmes (“Missions”) via our matrix structure
• Positioned at the forefront of EO and GI thought leadership

You’ll work with other professional disciplines, integrating fit-for-purpose technology with business strategy, and programmatic delivery. As a not-for-profit organisation funded by InnovateUK, SAC exists to help the UK benefit from space services and to help UK businesses to grow. You’ll collaborate with commercial clients, academia, and government stakeholders.

We operate with both near- and far-horizon goals:

• Near-Horizon: Lead a team that delivers practical solutions for SMEs and clients, raising technology readiness levels (TRLs) and enabling successful programmes.
• Far-Horizon: Shape the future of the sector through visionary thought leadership and strategic influence.

You’ll work within SAC’s matrix management system, coordinating daily with colleagues across technical, commercial, and delivery teams. Strong cross-disciplinary relationships are key to success.

Important security note: The successful candidate may be required to obtain SC-level security clearance and contribute to defence-related activities as needed.

Role Responsibilities

• Represent SAC as a thought leader in the space sector and beyond
• Line manage and develop a team of approximately 7 subject matter experts
• Support business development through project bidding and funding acquisition
• Provide expert advice and staff support to SAC’s Missions and clients
• Lead thought-leadership initiatives to influence SAC strategy and sector direction
• Ensure technical quality in bids and project delivery

Skills Required

• Remote Sensing Expertise: Deep experience in space-based EO and its applications, with a clear understanding of EO’s strengths and limitations
• Downstream & Upstream Knowledge: While focused on downstream applications, familiarity with upstream satellite instruments and observing systems is desirable
• Operational Impact: Proven experience applying EO data to real-world decision-making
• Leadership: Experience managing and developing technical teams
• Communication: Ability to explain complex concepts to diverse audiences, including public engagement and technical collaboration

Experience in one or more of the following areas is highly valued:

• Environmental, national security, or commercial satellite remote sensing
• Translating data into actionable intelligence
• Working with end-users to ensure market relevance

About us & how we work

We strive to create a high trust, high performance and inclusive environment that enables team members to bring their whole selves to work. This helps to create the foundations of an innovation culture. Our shared values are critical to this:

• We care- for our people, our partners, and our planet
• We connect- and engage with people and ideas
• We learn- and grow, as people and as an industry

Underpinning this is our belief in great teams. Our combined efforts will always deliver outcomes beyond that of any individual, providing we are honest through debate, experiment and reflect, and create shared resolutions in support of our purpose. Live these values, work to our principles, take ownership to deliver, and we are certain you will thrive with us.

We offer a hybrid policy which is designed around collaboration, one anchor day per week working with your direct team and another flexible day per week to be spent working with other colleagues. The anchor day for the GI Team is currently Tuesday every week.

This job description sets out the skills and experience we think are needed to be able to perform in this job. If you believe you can deliver in this role then we want to hear from you.

Important notice for applicants: We use tools to detect plagiarism and the use of AI or chatbots for applicant answers. If plagiarism, AI use (such as ChatGPT) or similar software are found to have been used in your application you will not be considered for this or future roles within the Satellite Applications Catapult.

At Satellite Applications Catapult, we are committed to fostering an inclusive and diverse workforce. We welcome candidates from all corners of the globe, but due to legal and logistical considerations, we want to be transparent about potential visa-related challenges that could arise. Our ability to offer sponsorship is not guaranteed and will depend on the level of interest for our roles and salary level.

If you need any additional support during the application process, please do reach out and connect. We also invite you to share feedback via Applied.

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