Reporting directly to the Director General, the Director of Programmes leads ESO's major programmes and oversees the Organisation's programmatic framework. The Director of Programmes is responsible for programme planning and control, for providing project-management capabilities across ESO, and for guiding the design and construction of new world-leading astronomical facilities and technologies within ESO's matrix organisation. These facilities include the ELT, the largest optical/infrared telescope ever conceived, and in the future it is expected to include the next ESO transformational facility identified through the Expanding Horizons process.

The Director of Programmes reports on ESO Programmes as required to the ESO Council (main governing body of ESO) and its advisory committees as well as to other external committees and to the community at large via conferences and special events. As a member of the ESO Directors' Team the Director of Programmes works closely with the Director General and with the other Directors (both bi-laterally and as a team) in the development of overall policy and strategic planning across the Organisation. As a collaborative and inspirational manager and leader, the Director of Programmes empowers their staff in carrying out ESO's objectives.

The Director of Programmes ensures close coordination with cooperating research institutes, industrial partners and other organisations engaged in similar programme activities. The Director of Programmes represents ESO in international scientific and technical forums, maintains high-level scientific and technical contacts worldwide, and participates in conferences and industry events when required.