Strategic Advisor to the President (m/f/d)

Introductory text
The President's Staff provides strategic and operational support to advance ETH Zürich as well as the vision and priorities of the President. It supports ETH Zürich particularly in the areas of future orientation and strategic development, international affairs, political relations and stakeholder management, as well as global positioning and visibility, and contributes to the cultivation and further development of relationships with alumni.

As of 1 January 2027, the President's Staff is looking for a strategically minded, analytically strong and communicatively skilled personality who grasps complex topics quickly, condenses relevant information and develops clear decision-making bases, messages and recommendations for action from them. A pronounced know-how in the understandable and concise presentation of complex content as well as the ability to prepare even demanding matters in a target-group-oriented manner and present them convincingly distinguish them as much as a pronounced understanding of scientific, social and political contexts. In addition, political intuition and pronounced judgment are required. They work independently, solution-oriented and even under time pressure, move confidently in a demanding institutional and international environment and are characterized by high reliability.

Tasks/Job Description
Tasks include in particular:

Preparation of speeches, presentations and other communication documents for public appearances and internal events of the President
Research, analysis and preparation of information on strategically relevant topics as well as development of decision-making bases
Preparation of briefings and background documents in cooperation with the President's Staff and other internal as well as external partners
Support in the preparation of conversations, meetings and public appearances of the President
Participation in the substantive positioning of ETH Zürich on selected strategic topics
Your Profile
Pronounced strategic and analytical thinking: ability to grasp complex issues quickly, identify relevant information, establish connections and develop concise representations and clear decision-making bases from them
Very good written and convincing presentation skills: ability to prepare demanding content clearly, precisely and in a target-group-oriented manner – from speeches and presentations to briefings, argumentation papers and background papers
Political and institutional understanding: understanding of the functioning of a large, internationally oriented university as well as for scientific, educational, innovation and socio-political issues
Interest and stakeholder understanding: ability to grasp different perspectives and interests and include them in the preparation of conversations, positions and strategic decisions
Communication strength: ability to convey complex scientific and strategic topics understandably and convincingly to different target groups
Independence and initiative: ability to research topics independently, structure issues and deliver high-quality results even under time pressure
Confident appearance and discretion: sovereign handling of confidential information and sensitive institutional, political and personal topics
Cooperation skills: enjoyment of working with different people and units within and outside of ETH Zürich as well as the ability to purposefully bring together knowledge and expertise
Understanding of science: university degree, preferably with a doctorate or comparable scientific experience; ability to quickly familiarize oneself with new scientific and technological topics
Languages: excellent German and English skills in spoken and written form
We offer
A unique and highly exciting task in an inspiring international environment
The chance to deal with a variety of topics and issues quickly and in depth
An stimulating and dynamic team environment
A workplace in the lively university quarter in the middle of Zürich with the possibility for home office
Curious? So are we.
We look forward to your online application with the following documents:

Cover letter
CV
Work certificates and diplomas
Further information about the President's Staff can be found on our website. For information, Jürg Brunnschweiler, Head of President's Staff (jürg.brunnschweiler@sl.ethz.ch) is at your disposal (no application documents).

Please apply exclusively via the online application portal. Applications by e-mail or by post will not be considered.

We would like to point out that the pre-selection is carried out by the responsible recruiters and not by artificial intelligence.

For personnel agencies, the GTC of ETH Zürich apply.