Assistant to the Director of the Development and Construction Division (VPO-DC)

EPFL (École polytechnique fédérale de Lausanne) is one of the most dynamic university campuses in Europe and ranks in the top 20 worldwide in numerous academic rankings. EPFL has more than 6,500 staff members who bring to life the School's three main missions: education, research, and innovation. The EPFL campus offers an exceptional working environment at the heart of a community of over 18,000 people, including nearly 12,500 students and 4,000 researchers from more than 120 different nationalities.

In this dynamic and constantly evolving context, the Development and Construction Division is seeking an Assistant to the Director of the Division (VPO-DC).

Your mission

The Development and Construction Division (VPO-DC) brings together several strategic services of EPFL, including constructions, associated campuses, catering and retail, outdoor facilities and mobility, as well as the coordination of business travel.

As Assistant to the Director, you support them in coordinating the Division's activities, leading strategic projects, monitoring cross-cutting files, and representing the Division with various internal bodies and partners.

Responsibilities are defined in close collaboration with the Director and will evolve according to the Division's priorities and the institution's needs.

MAIN TASKS

• Participation in the preparation of management files (writing, proofreading, coordination).
• Monitoring and coordinating actions related to masterplans for outdoor spaces, commuter mobility, climate strategy.
• Strategic management of the business travel component and supervision of its coordination.
• Coordination/monitoring of the interface with Sustainability.
• Monitoring operational aspects of catering.
• Participation in coordination meetings of the Boards of Directors, anticipating, preparing, and following up on files.
• Assistance in preparing strategic files.
• Participation in routine operations (e.g. planning, budgets, document drafting, risk management, etc.)
• Taking charge of files related to constructions, renovations, and the CEPF Minimum Standards.
• Preparation and monitoring of agreements with EPFL's institutional partners.
• Gradual takeover/monitoring of strategic files.
• Implementation and monitoring of a Communication plan for the Division, in collaboration with the secretariat.
• Participation in internal or external meetings by delegation.

• University or HES master's level education, covering one or more sectors of the Division's activity.
• Additional training in project management.

Personal skills

• Proven professional experience in an academic environment, both in a team and autonomously, in one or more sectors of VPO-DC's activity.
• Respect for standards and procedures, as well as institutional directives and objectives.
• Sense of public service and partnership, ability to find solutions with often numerous stakeholders.
• Open-mindedness, flexibility, ability to take a step back, and strong commitment to the common good.
• Experience in project management in the public sector (experience as a Project Manager).
• Excellent command of French, both spoken and written, as well as good knowledge of English in a professional context.
• Social and communication skills (internal and external).
• Excellent organisational skills, objective data collection, analysis, synthesis, and decision support.

• A position with responsibilities in collaboration with the Director.
• A variety of topics addressed.
• The possibility to improve according to the requirements of the role.
• A dynamic and multidisciplinary working environment in a school of international renown.
• Attractive working conditions.

To better understand your approach and strategic vision, please include with your application a note presenting your vision of the position, as well as the priorities and objectives you would envisage over a 1, 3, and 5 year horizon. Applications without this document will not be considered.

Start date: as soon as possible

Work rate: 90-100%

Contract type: permanent contract

Application deadline: 14 August 2026