Deputy VP for Operations and Head of the Chief of Staff Unit (Chief of Staff)

The Vice-Presidency for Operations manages all activities that keep the campuses running daily — catering, information systems, security, operations, library and scientific information — and plans the development of its future infrastructures.

To support its management, the Vice-President for Operations is seeking their future Deputy and Head of the Chief of Staff Unit (Chief of Staff). As a true strategic right-hand and thinking partner, you play a key role as a facilitator and driver at the heart of a broad scope covering an annual budget of CHF 200 million and approximately 400 employees.

Leading a cross-disciplinary team of 5 people and interfacing with 4 major domains (i) Information Systems, (ii) Development and Construction, (iii) Infrastructure, Security and Operations, and (iv) Library and Institutional Archives), you oversee the coordination of the Vice-Presidency’s transversal activities (strategic files, finance, project governance and data management, communication).

Your main responsibilities revolve around:

• Leadership and management of a cross-disciplinary team: Leading the Chief of Staff unit on human, technical, financial, and organisational levels.
• Strategic impetus: Actively contributing to the strategic development of the Vice-Presidency and initiating, leading, and managing strategic or transversal organisational projects.
• Thinking partnership: Acting as a trusted advisor to the Vice-President and domain directors, providing detailed analysis, the ability to constructively challenge directions, and a systemic vision to illuminate decision-making.
• Institutional alignment: Preparing, structuring, and monitoring strategic files in transversal connection with the Presidency, other Vice-Presidencies, Faculties, and attached Domains, while ensuring coherence of narrative and internal communication.
• Performance and impact measurement: Developing and coordinating the implementation of performance indicators (KPIs) to measure the effectiveness of service delivery and the satisfaction of campus users.

• Education: Higher university education (Master’s degree or equivalent) in Business Administration, management, or a field deemed equivalent.
• Experience: Solid proven experience (minimum 5 years) in managing complex projects and leading chief of staff or management structures (Hermès, PMP, or Prince certification or equivalent qualification is an asset). Successful prior experience in team management is essential.
• Behavioural skills:
  • Political intelligence and transversal leadership: Proven ability to navigate smoothly among multiple stakeholders, to unite and negotiate.
  • Agility and stress resilience: Sharp sense of priorities, flexibility, and excellent organisational skills to manage demanding files under pressure.
  • Analytical mind and solution orientation: Rigour, proactivity, autonomy, and the ability to propose solutions to multidisciplinary problems.
• Writing and language skills: Remarkable writing skills. Perfect command of French and good command of English; knowledge of German is a valuable asset.
• Culture: Strong interest in the ecosystems of education, research, innovation, and high technology.

• A dynamic and international working environment in a multidisciplinary institution
• An opportunity to implement an ambitious strategy with a dynamic and diverse team of highly qualified specialists
• Attractive working conditions
• The possibility to improve skills according to the requirements of the role

>> Discover our employment conditions and the benefits offered to our staff.

Start date: 01/12/2026 or to be agreed

Minimum workload: 100.00

Maximum workload: 100.00

Contract type: Permanent

Reference: 2447

Application files must include a complete CV, a cover letter, a vision statement of maximum one A4 page, and relevant certificates. Only complete applications will be processed.

Application deadline: 27 September 2026