Fachhochschule Nordwestschweiz FHNW
Olten
Head of the Institute for Social Work and Health ISAGE (80-100%)
- 06 October 2026
- 80 – 100%
- Permanent position
- Olten
Job summary
Join the Hochschule für Soziale Arbeit FHNW as a leader! Shape the future with flexibility and creativity.
Tasks
- Lead ISAGE, overseeing strategic and financial aspects.
- Enhance quality in teaching, research, and services.
- Foster interdisciplinary collaboration and innovation.
Skills
- Degree in Social Work or related fields; leadership experience required.
- Strong management and project skills essential.
- Excellent communication in English and ideally French.
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About the job
Flexibility, freedom to shape, creativity, interdisciplinarity - this is how we work
Head of the Institute for Social Work and Health ISAGE (80-100%)
University of Applied Sciences and Arts Northwestern Switzerland FHNW, Institute for Social Work and Health
Your tasks:
Become part of the university management and actively shape the future of the university and the institute! As head and professor (also possible in co-leadership) you lead ISAGE and assume the associated personnel, financial, strategic and professional leadership responsibilities.
- You shape and profile the institute in line with the university strategy and set pioneering impulses for professional developments in the field of health-related social work
- You are responsible for the quality of the institute's services in teaching at bachelor and master levels as well as in continuing education, research and development, and in the area of services
- You promote a trusting, efficient and innovative institute culture and actively accompany change processes
- You strengthen networking with science, practice, politics and other stakeholders at national and international levels and promote cross-university collaboration
- As a member of the university management, you strategically further develop the University of Applied Sciences and Arts Northwestern Switzerland FHNW
- You make your own contributions in teaching, research & development, continuing education or services
Your profile:
You are an initiative-taking, enthusiastic and engaging personality with a university degree in social work or another social science discipline, ideally with a doctorate. In addition, you have:
- Several years of leadership experience as well as proven competencies in strategic leadership, business management, project and change management, with further training in (university) management/leadership
- The ability to successfully lead employees in an expert organisation, shape development processes and promote a culture of trust and collaboration
- An excellent track record in university teaching (initial and continuing education) and in research & development, especially in the acquisition and implementation of projects, publication and presentation experience
- Sound knowledge of the Swiss social and health system
- Practical experience in health-related social work, ideally in one of the institute's current fields of activity, as well as knowledge of the related research landscape and professional discourse
- Solid English and ideally French language skills
Our attractive employment conditions include a high degree of flexibility regarding working hours and location. At the university, a culture of dialogue and transparent communication characterised by appreciation and trust is cultivated in collaboration. Freedom to shape and act is regarded as an important resource for innovation. In addition, the diversity and differences of employees and students are embraced as strengths of the university.
Will you soon be part of our university? A motivated team is waiting for you. We look forward to receiving your application by 15 November 2026. The first interviews will take place on 4, 7, 8 or 11 December 2026, the second interviews on 18, 19 or 25 January 2027. The assessment will take place in calendar week 51.
www.fhnw.ch/de/soziale-arbeit
