Deputy VP for Operations and Head of the Staff Unit

Ref 2580248 | Date: 22 Sept 2026 EPFL EPFL, the École polytechnique fédérale de Lausanne, is one of the most dynamic university campuses in Europe and is ranked in the global top 20 in many academic rankings. EPFL has more than 6'500 staff members who bring the three main missions of the School to life: education, research, and innovation. The EPFL campus offers an exceptional working environment at the heart of a community of more than 17'000 people, including nearly 12'500 students and 4'000 researchers from more than 120 different nationalities. Deputy VP for Operations and Head of the Staff Unit (Chief of Staff) Context and Mission The Vice-presidency for operations manages all activities that make the campuses live on a daily basis "" 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 looking for his/her future Deputy and Head of the Staff Unit (Chief of Staff). A true strategic right hand and thinking partner, you play a key role as a facilitator and driver at the heart of a large-scale perimeter covering an annual budget of 200 mio CHF and approximately 400 employees. Heading a transdisciplinary team of 5 people and at the interface of 4 major domains (i) Information Systems, ii) Development and Construction, iii) Infrastructure, security and operations and iv) Library and institutional archives), you steer the coordination of the Vice-presidency's cross-functional activities (strategic files, finance, project governance and data management, communication). Main tasks and responsibilities Your main responsibilities revolve around: * Leadership and steering of a transdisciplinary team: Lead the Staff Unit on human, technical, financial and organizational levels. * Strategic driving: Actively contribute to the strategic development of the Vice-presidency and initiate, lead and steer strategic or cross-functional organizational projects. * Thinking partnership: Act as a privileged advisor to the Vice-president and the directors of the domains, by providing fine analysis, a capacity to constructively challenge orientations and a systemic vision to illuminate decision-making. * Institutional alignment: Prepare, structure and follow up on strategic files in cross-functional connection with the Presidency, the other Vice-presidencies, the Faculties and the attached Domains, while guaranteeing the coherence of the narrative and internal communication. * Performance and impact measurement: Develop and coordinate the implementation of performance indicators (KPIs) to measure the effectiveness of service provisions and the satisfaction of Campus users. Profile * Education: Higher university education (Master or equivalent) in Business Administration, management or an equivalent field. * Experience: Solid proven experience (minimum 5 years) in managing complex projects and steering staff or management structures (Hermès, PMP or Prince certification or equivalent title is an asset). Initial successful experience in team management is indispensable. * Behavioral skills: + Political intelligence and transversal leadership: Proven ability to navigate easily between multiple stakeholders, to unite and to negotiate. + Agility and stress resistance: Keen sense of priorities, flexibility and excellent organizational skills to manage demanding files simultaneously under pressure. + Analytical spirit and solution orientation: Rigor, proactivity, autonomy and strength of proposition to resolve multidisciplinary issues. * Writing and linguistic skills: Remarkable writing ease. Perfect mastery of French and good mastery of English; knowledge of German represents a valuable asset. * Culture: Pronounced interest in the ecosystems of education, research, innovation and high technologies. We offer * 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 oneself according to the requirements of the function [>> Discover our employment conditions and the benefits offered to our female and male employees.](< > "") Information Start date: or to be agreed Minimum occupation rate: 100,00 Maximum occupation rate: 100,00 Contract type: CDI Reference: 2447 Application files must include a complete CV, a cover letter, a vision statement of max. one A4 page and certificates; complete applications will be processed. Application deadline: 27 September 2026 jpide17e694jm jpit0939jm jpiy26jm