Managing Director, Canada (m/f/d)

Isar Aerospace SE•Canso, NS

4h•Onsite

About The Position

As the Managing Director Launch Site Canada, you will be the first person on the ground and the driving force behind establishing our Canadian launch site and operations. You will lead all launch related activities while simultaneously building and managing the Canadian legal entity, ensuring compliance, infrastructure readiness, and strong relationships with authorities and partners. This is a rare opportunity to shape a national spaceport presence from day one. In the early years, your primary mission will be to build the foundation for future launch campaigns: securing regulatory approvals, developing infrastructure, establishing operational processes, and assembling a high performing team. You will lead the development of the site, prepare all systems and procedures for launch readiness, and ensure the Canadian entity is fully compliant, well governed, and aligned with our global organization. Once the site becomes operational, you will oversee launch campaigns, pad operations, and mission execution. You will report to the Canadian Board of Directors and disciplinarily to the VP Mission & Launch Operations and work closely with global teams in Germany, Norway and Sweden across Launch Operations, Engineering, HR, Finance, Legal, and Infrastructure.

Requirements

10+ years in aerospace, launch operations, or complex industrial operations
Proven leadership of multidisciplinary technical teams in high‑reliability environments
Experience establishing or scaling a new site, facility, or business unit
Background working with regulators, government agencies, or permitting authorities
Strong track record managing contractors, infrastructure projects, and operational budgets
Executive‑level presence with the ability to represent the company to authorities and partners
Comfortable building a team and operational structure from the ground up
Skilled at decision‑making in ambiguous, fast‑changing environments
Strong stakeholder management and cross‑functional coordination skills
Solid understanding of launch operations or comparable safety‑critical processes
Strong project management capabilities, including scheduling, budgeting, and contractor oversight
Understanding of corporate governance, statutory obligations, and internal controls
Experience ensuring compliance with labor, financial, environmental, or safety regulations
Ability to implement processes aligned with a parent company’s standards
Excellent communicator with the ability to engage regulators, partners, employees, and the public
Skilled in producing clear reports, presentations, and operational documentation
High emotional intelligence and ability to build trust across diverse stakeholders
High integrity, accountability, and sound judgment
Entrepreneurial mindset with resilience and adaptability
Passion for space, engineering, and building something from the ground up

Responsibilities

Lead the development of the Canadian launch site from concept to operational readiness
Build relationships with Canadian authorities to secure necessary launch, environmental, and operational approvals
Define the operational architecture for future launch campaigns, including procedures, staffing plans, and safety frameworks
Coordinate with global engineering and launch teams to ensure site design aligns with vehicle requirements
Locally implement documentation, processes, and tools needed for future launch operations
Oversee procurement, contractor management, and construction activities related to launch infrastructure
Recruit and develop the initial launch site team
Oversee all launch‑related activities, including vehicle integration, pad readiness, payload integration, and lift‑off chronology
Develop detailed launch plans and campaign timelines in coordination with global launch teams
Lead and grow a multidisciplinary launch operations team as the site scales
Identify opportunities to shorten launch campaign timelines and improve operational efficiency
Maintain accurate and up‑to‑date launch documentation aligned with global standards
Monitor launch performance, conduct post‑launch reviews, and drive continuous improvement
Establish the Canadian entity and build a culture of innovation, collaboration, and continuous improvement
Foster strong alignment with the parent company and global stakeholders
Represent the company in Canada as its senior executive and public face
Serve as the registered Managing Director, ensuring daily operations comply with Canadian legislation and Board directives
Oversee administrative operations until the Manager Infrastructure, Safety & Service is hired, after which you remain accountable for overall governance
Implement lean, compliant, and product‑centric processes aligned with global guidelines
Ensure the Canadian entity operates within Canadian corporate governance principles and regulatory frameworks
Maintain transparent and accountable organizational structures and statutory reporting
Implement internal controls and risk management systems
Stay current on legislative changes and ensure organizational compliance
Oversee lawful maintenance of accounts and sound financial management
Collaborate with global Finance on budgeting, forecasting, and financial performance monitoring
Support financial audits and ensure timely reporting
Identify cost‑saving opportunities and drive financial efficiency
Partner with global Talent teams to ensure compliant HR policies and processes
Support constructive labor relations and communication with employee representatives
Act as the primary point of contact for Canadian authorities, regulatory bodies, and local partners
Build strong relationships with suppliers, industry partners, and community stakeholders
Represent the company at industry events, conferences, and public forums
Provide regular updates to the Board on performance, risks, and strategic initiatives
Identify operational and organizational risks and develop mitigation strategies
Implement robust HSE policies to protect employees, assets, and the community
Oversee audits of third‑party vendors to ensure compliance with safety and security standards
Continuously enhance security measures to protect against threats and vulnerabilities