Mission Operations Lead (Ground Segment)

Job description

About Leaf Space Leaf Space is a rapidly growing scale-up company and a leading provider of ground segment as-a-service (GSaaS) solutions. Our innovative and proprietary concept is focused on providing satellite and launch vehicle connectivity as-a-service, enabling clients to efficiently manage their assets and fully exploit data. Our GSaaS solutions have been recognized by the market for their efficiency, security, and effectiveness in supporting different applications, from remote sensing to IoT communications. Head of Customer Success (Ground Segment) About the role We are looking for a senior profile able to operate in a complex, cross-functional operational environment and progressively take ownership and leadership within the team. The role sits at the intersection of operations, customer onboarding, product coordination, and program execution. It requires someone capable of driving topics end-to-end, structuring execution across multiple stakeholders, and operating effectively in fast-evolving and time-sensitive environments. This position is particularly suited for candidates with a strong operational mindset, systems thinking, and the ability to connect customer impact, operational processes, software platforms, and infrastructure constraints into a coherent operational approach. Main responsibilities Drive and coordinate complex operational and cross-functional initiatives Support and coordinate mission preparation activities, including pre-launch and LEOP readiness when applicable Contribute to the evolution and scaling of operational processes and customer operations Coordinate execution across Operations, Product, Infrastructure, and other internal stakeholders Structure plans, priorities, timelines, and decision-making processes for operational and strategic topics Identify operational risks, dependencies, and mitigation plans Support customer onboarding activities in an “as a service” operational environment Contribute to improving operational reliability, scalability, and customer experience Take ownership of operational topics and drive them from definition to execution and closure Progressively take leadership responsibilities within the team Required experience and qualifications Around 7 years of relevant professional experience Strong experience in at least one of the following areas: -Satellite operations -Mission management, including pre-launch activities and LEOP preparation -Satellite system engineering -Product management or product ownership in technical or operational environments Experience with customer onboarding in an “as a service” context Strong project or program management capabilities Ability to structure, plan, coordinate, and drive execution across multiple stakeholders Ability to make structured decisions and prioritize effectively in ambiguous or time-sensitive situations Demonstrated leadership potential, formal or informal Strong ownership mindset with the ability to drive topics end-to-end Ability to work effectively across multiple functions and teams Ability to understand and navigate complex operational ecosystems involving: -Software platforms -Infrastructure constraints -Operational processes -Costumer impact and service delivery What we are looking for Strong sense of ownership and accountability Ability to operate effectively in fast-evolving environments Pragmatic and execution-oriented mindset Strong communication and coordination capabilities Ability to maintain clarity and structure in complex situations Comfortable balancing operational, technical, and organizational considerations simultaneously What we offer A key role at the core of our operational and customer success strategy, with high visibility and impact A dynamic scale-up culture combining flexibility, autonomy, and strong execution focus Access to training and development programs to support continuous growth Flexible hybrid or remote work policy (Italy based) Compensation & Transparency Reports to the Director of Operations Internal Job Title: Head of Mission Management Seniority level: Lead professional or Manager Job location: Hybrid or remote (based in Italy) Salary range: €55,000–€70,000, depending on experience Potential variable compensation linked to performance and company goals Comprehensive benefits package including welfare platform and meal vouchers (Italy) Expected start date: September