Zürcher Hochschule der Künste
Zürich
Project Manager, 80–100%
- 07 October 2026
- 80 – 100%
- Permanent position
- Zürich
Job summary
The Zürcher Hochschule der Künste (ZHdK) is a major art school in Europe. It offers a vibrant environment for over 2,100 students from various disciplines.
Tasks
- Lead diverse IT and digitalization projects from start to finish.
- Ensure quality assurance, risk management, and stakeholder communication.
- Conduct requirements engineering, validating needs for successful project execution.
Skills
- Experience in managing IT projects, ideally in higher education or complex organizations.
- Proficient in both traditional and agile project management methods.
- Strong analytical skills and a solid understanding of business processes.
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About the job
The Zurich University of the Arts (ZHdK) is one of the largest and most diverse art universities in Europe, with around 2100 bachelor’s and master’s students. The study and research areas include Art Education, Design, Film, Fine Arts, Music, Dance, Theatre, and Transdisciplinarity. Located in the heart of Zurich, ZHdK is a dynamic place where passionate people from over 75 countries work, study, teach, research, and continue their education. The university includes numerous exhibition and performance venues where students’ project work is publicly presented.
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The nine-member Business Applications department (BAP), consisting of application managers and project leaders, forms the bridge between the academic departments and the Information Technology Centre (ITZ) of ZHdK. It is responsible for the operational management and further development of the university’s central business applications. These include the core system Evento with various peripheral systems, numerous CAFM applications, the finance and HR application landscape, various research and teaching applications, as well as specific solutions for artistic practice. The Business Applications department’s responsibilities include stakeholder management, consulting, requirements engineering, translating requirements into technical specifications, implementation and commissioning together with internal and external partners, as well as leading IT and digitalisation projects. Thus, the Business Applications department is a key driver of the university’s digital transformation.
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As part of a succession arrangement, we are looking for a committed individual to start immediately or by agreement as:
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The nine-member Business Applications department (BAP), consisting of application managers and project leaders, forms the bridge between the academic departments and the Information Technology Centre (ITZ) of ZHdK. It is responsible for the operational management and further development of the university’s central business applications. These include the core system Evento with various peripheral systems, numerous CAFM applications, the finance and HR application landscape, various research and teaching applications, as well as specific solutions for artistic practice. The Business Applications department’s responsibilities include stakeholder management, consulting, requirements engineering, translating requirements into technical specifications, implementation and commissioning together with internal and external partners, as well as leading IT and digitalisation projects. Thus, the Business Applications department is a key driver of the university’s digital transformation.
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As part of a succession arrangement, we are looking for a committed individual to start immediately or by agreement as:
Project Manager, 80–100%
Your tasks:
- You will take on demanding IT and digitalisation projects of varying sizes and accompany them throughout the entire project lifecycle. You combine project management with business analysis and requirements engineering and act as the central interface between academic departments, IT, and external partners.
- You are responsible for quality assurance and risk management as well as stakeholder management and transparent project communication.
- You are responsible for requirements engineering from gathering and specification to validation of requirements.
- You accompany the realisation, ensure successful implementation and hypercare phase, and lead the project to a successful conclusion.
- You coordinate collaboration with the client, steering committee, and portfolio management, ensuring that project goals, schedules, and resources are continuously aligned and communicated transparently.
- You manage external service providers and coordinate internal resources.
- You apply classical and agile project methods and help to further embed these within the organisation.
Your profile:
- You bring solid experience in managing IT/digitalisation projects – ideally in a higher education environment or a comparable complex organisation.
- You are familiar with both classical and agile project management methods and apply them appropriately to the situation. Relevant certifications are an advantage.
- You have proven competencies in business analysis and requirements engineering – ideally complemented by further training (e.g. IREB).
- With your IT background and understanding of business processes, you are easily able to mediate between academic departments and IT.
- You possess strong analytical and conceptual thinking skills and are able to integrate different interests and perspectives.
- You like to get involved personally, drive topics independently, and do not lose sight of the big picture even when handling operational tasks.
- You communicate appropriately for the audience, in a structured and clear manner.
- You remain composed in demanding situations, have a healthy dose of assertiveness, and do not lose your sense of humour.
- You have a higher education qualification in (business) informatics, business administration, or a comparable qualification.
- Very good German skills (C2) as well as good English skills (C1) in spoken and written form.
What you can expect from us
Your new professional field is situated in the exciting and stimulating context of an internationally active art and design university and offers you plenty of scope for creativity, personal responsibility, as well as good training and development opportunities. You will work in the lively Toni-Areal in Zurich-West and, by arrangement, from home. You will be part of a collegial team and collaborate with various university departments (academic departments, faculties, Information Technology Centre, external service providers). The employment conditions are governed by cantonal personnel legislation.
Your new professional field is situated in the exciting and stimulating context of an internationally active art and design university and offers you plenty of scope for creativity, personal responsibility, as well as good training and development opportunities. You will work in the lively Toni-Areal in Zurich-West and, by arrangement, from home. You will be part of a collegial team and collaborate with various university departments (academic departments, faculties, Information Technology Centre, external service providers). The employment conditions are governed by cantonal personnel legislation.
Your contacts for further information
Michael Brunner, Head of BAP, michael.brunner@zhdk.ch
Alessia Consorti, HR Business Partner, alessia.consorti@zhdk.ch
Additional information about ZHdK can be found at www.zhdk.ch .
Please submit your complete application documents by 31.10.2026 via the "Apply online now" link at the end of this advertisement. Please note that we only consider online applications (no email applications) for this position. A personal cover letter is very welcome. We prefer direct applications.
Michael Brunner, Head of BAP, michael.brunner@zhdk.ch
Alessia Consorti, HR Business Partner, alessia.consorti@zhdk.ch
Additional information about ZHdK can be found at www.zhdk.ch .
Please submit your complete application documents by 31.10.2026 via the "Apply online now" link at the end of this advertisement. Please note that we only consider online applications (no email applications) for this position. A personal cover letter is very welcome. We prefer direct applications.
