- EU-CONEXUS - European University for Smart Urban Coastal Sustainability
- Brussels, Belgium (Remote)
- Contract staff
Executive Director
- EU-CONEXUS - European University for Smart Urban Coastal Sustainability
Brussels, Belgium
Contract staff
Published:
Application Deadline: February 28, 2025
- EU-CONEXUS - European University for Smart Urban Coastal Sustainability
Brussels, Belgium
Contract staff
Published:
Application Deadline: February 28, 2025
TERMS OF CONTRACT:
Any other localization in European Union member states and a flexible/remote working mode may be negotiated (home-office).
WORKING ENVIRONMENT:
The European University for Smart Urban Coastal Sustainability EU-CONEXUS (www.eu-conexus.eu) is a European Universities’ Alliance co-funded by the European Commission since 2019.
The nine partner universities of the Alliance are:
The Alliance aims to develop an inter-universities campus focused thematically on Smart Urban Coastal Sustainability and encompassing the four main missions of a university: Education, Research, Innovation and Service to society. Together it has a student body of over 70 000 students and close to 7 000 staff.
The EU-CONEXUS partner universities have created a legal entity: EU-CONEXUS AISBL, which is an international non-profit association under Belgian law. This association is coordinated and managed by the Alliance coordination team.
MAIN FUNCTION:
With the aim of further stabilising the central coordination of the Alliance the Executive Director is recruited at the level of the EU-CONEXUS AISBL. The position is supervised by the Executive Board of the EU-CONEXUS AISBL. The Executive Director will be the first staff recruited by the EU-CONEXUS AISBL.
The Executive Director is the head of the Alliance coordination team currently composed of one Vice-Director, a Director of Operations (tbc) and one administrative and financial coordinator recruited and based at La Rochelle Université in France as well as other team members based at other partner universities (head of communication, Student Board secretary).
Furthermore, the Alliance coordination team is working closely with other staff at all partner universities (institutional coordinators, project coordinators, work package leaders).
The main missions of the Executive Director are the strategic development and operational management of the Alliance and its association. He/she develops a strategic vision on development and implementation of the Alliances’ projects in line with the political orientation of the governing bodies of the Alliance and the operational tools and instruments available at the association and projects level. He/she is the main contact for rectors and the top governing bodies of the Alliance.
MAIN TASKS:
PROFILE:
Education and Experience
Competencies and Skills
JOB RELATED CONSTRAINTS:
REMUNERATION:
An appropriate remuneration package will be discussed upon successful selection of the candidate depending on relevant experience and relevant regulations of the workplace (Brussels or other jointly defined work place) benefits and other conditions.
HOW TO APPLY:
The position is cofinanced by the EU-CONEXUS Plus project funds (grant agreement no. 101089709 — EU-CONEXUS Plus).
- Employer: EU-CONEXUS AISBL, 21 rue Montoyer, 1000 Brussels;
- Type of employment: Full-time;
- Contract start date: 1st of April 2025;
- Duration of contract: Fixed term contract, until 31st of October 2026 (extension possible);
- Work place: Preferably Brussels, Belgium.
Any other localization in European Union member states and a flexible/remote working mode may be negotiated (home-office).
WORKING ENVIRONMENT:
The European University for Smart Urban Coastal Sustainability EU-CONEXUS (www.eu-conexus.eu) is a European Universities’ Alliance co-funded by the European Commission since 2019.
The nine partner universities of the Alliance are:
- La Rochelle Université, France;
- Agricultural University of Athens, Greece;
- Catholic University of Valencia, Spain;
- Klaipéda University, Lithuania;
- Technical University for Construction Bucharest, Romania;
- University of Zadar, Croatia;
- South East Technical University, Ireland;
- University of Rostock, Germany;
- Frederick University, Cyprus.
The Alliance aims to develop an inter-universities campus focused thematically on Smart Urban Coastal Sustainability and encompassing the four main missions of a university: Education, Research, Innovation and Service to society. Together it has a student body of over 70 000 students and close to 7 000 staff.
The EU-CONEXUS partner universities have created a legal entity: EU-CONEXUS AISBL, which is an international non-profit association under Belgian law. This association is coordinated and managed by the Alliance coordination team.
MAIN FUNCTION:
With the aim of further stabilising the central coordination of the Alliance the Executive Director is recruited at the level of the EU-CONEXUS AISBL. The position is supervised by the Executive Board of the EU-CONEXUS AISBL. The Executive Director will be the first staff recruited by the EU-CONEXUS AISBL.
The Executive Director is the head of the Alliance coordination team currently composed of one Vice-Director, a Director of Operations (tbc) and one administrative and financial coordinator recruited and based at La Rochelle Université in France as well as other team members based at other partner universities (head of communication, Student Board secretary).
Furthermore, the Alliance coordination team is working closely with other staff at all partner universities (institutional coordinators, project coordinators, work package leaders).
The main missions of the Executive Director are the strategic development and operational management of the Alliance and its association. He/she develops a strategic vision on development and implementation of the Alliances’ projects in line with the political orientation of the governing bodies of the Alliance and the operational tools and instruments available at the association and projects level. He/she is the main contact for rectors and the top governing bodies of the Alliance.
MAIN TASKS:
- Supporting the chairs of the EU-CONEXUS top governing bodies in organizing their strategic workplan, setting meeting agendas and organising meetings;
- Steering the strategic reflection and prospective work on an operating framework for a European University through the development of a strategic plan and economic model;
- Supporting the development and maintenance of contacts with strategic political stakeholders at the international, European, national and local level (European Commission, inter-Alliances coordinating bodies, international partners and networks);
- Initiating and coordinating strategic project submissions for funding;
- Supervising, steering and coordinating all transversal operational activities of the Alliance (meetings, events, Quality Assurance, studies, reports, administrative and financial administration, IT development etc.) in line with the strategic orientation of the Alliance governance;
- Developing an inter-institutional organisational structure for the Alliance coordination team including the recruitment of staff at EU-CONEXUS AISBL;
- Ensuring that the operations of EU-CONEXUS AISBL are in line with Belgian legal regulations;
- Establishing the rules relating to the good organisation of the association in agreement with its Executive Board and members;
- Ensuring the good administration of the tasks attributed to the association;
- Supervising the expenses of the association, the establishment of the annual budget and the review of the expenses.
PROFILE:
Education and Experience
- Educational background: At least Master’s degree;
- Experience in a similar position within another institution or another international cooperation project. Having worked with a European University Alliance is an advantage;
- Experience in leading complex projects and managing international multi-stakeholder partnerships;
- Professional experience in managing a multi-cultural and decentralised team higher education and/or research organisations;
- Professional experience with managing a Belgian/national association and/or the Belgian system (tax,laws,etc.) is an advantage;
- In-depth knowledge of the institutional ecosystem of higher education and research at national and European levels, in particular of the European Universities’ Initiative;
- Excellent understanding of strategic aims of universities’ Alliances;
- Excellent knowledge of the funding environment for higher education and research (national, European, international);
- Excellent knowledge of project management methods and spirit in particular for European and/or international projects;
- Good knowledge of organisation and financial management of projects and institutions;
- Experience in working in multi-lingual and multi-cultural cooperation environments;
- Experience in advising/supporting decision-making.
Competencies and Skills
- Strong leadership and co-creation skills in particular within multi-cultural teams;
- Strong communication skills in a multicultural context (inform, interact, negotiate);
- Strong multi-cultural management skills to pilot a team (especially if delocalised);
- Fluent in English (written and spoken, level C2);
- Chairing and moderating meetings;
- Organisational, methodological and procedural skills;
- Being able to supervise / manage budgets;
- Recruiting skills;
- Analytical, anticipating skills;
- Skills in writing reports, designing dashboards and creating documents;
- Being able to apply digital tools;
- Accuracy, reliability, and reactivity;
- Adaptability.
JOB RELATED CONSTRAINTS:
- Occasional international travel is foreseen approximately from 3 to 6 times per year;
- Regular online meetings.
REMUNERATION:
An appropriate remuneration package will be discussed upon successful selection of the candidate depending on relevant experience and relevant regulations of the workplace (Brussels or other jointly defined work place) benefits and other conditions.
HOW TO APPLY:
- Please send your motivation letter and a CV until 28th of February 2025 to eu-conexus@eu-conexus.eu.
The position is cofinanced by the EU-CONEXUS Plus project funds (grant agreement no. 101089709 — EU-CONEXUS Plus).
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