Department Manager, Deputy Managing Director (m/f/d)

Department Manager, Deputy Managing Director (m/f/d) # 60%-70%, Zürich, permanent #### print Print The Department of Health Sciences and Technology (D-HEST) of ETH Zürich is looking for a committed, very well-organized, and communicatively strong personality as Department Manager with deputy function for the Managing Director, starting September 1, 2026, or by arrangement. In this key role, you will support the department management and the Managing Director in strategic leadership tasks and assume operational responsibility. You will coordinate and drive central decision-making processes, ensure the flow of information, undertake governance and interface tasks, and lead the department staff operationally. Job Description ## As Department Manager, you are a central contact person for business and processes at the department management level. You prepare decision-making bases, coordinate meetings and pending items, are responsible for operational planning and processes, and further develop internal workflows. • Support for the department management and the Managing Director in strategic issues • Preparation, organization, and follow-up of department management meetings including agendas, documents, minutes, and pending items management • Creation of briefings, presentations, concept papers, and decision-making bases for the department management • Coordination and operational responsibility for governance topics, regulations, consultations, accreditations, and academic procedures • Operational responsibility in procedures related to third-party funded assistant professorships, Professors of Practice, academic prizes, and Grant Applications • Ensuring a reliable flow of information between department management, professorships, staff, administrative personnel, and central ETH offices • Triage and coordination of internal and external inquiries to the department management • Operational management of the department staff including staff meetings, process development, culture topics, and selected personnel management tasks • Deputy for the Managing Director in defined areas of responsibility • Participation in internal communication formats, exchange forums, and cross-divisional initiatives Profile ## We are looking for an experienced, integral, and resilient personality with strong organizational talent, high communication competence, and enjoyment of working in an academic environment. You bring leadership understanding, diplomatic skill, and a good sense for people, processes, and institutional contexts. You possess: • A university degree in natural sciences or an equivalent education with relevant further training, e.g., in university management, public management, business administration, administration, or communication • Several years of experience in a demanding staff, executive support, project management, or management function • Experience in a university environment or a comparable knowledge-based organization is an advantage • Very good German and English skills in spoken and written form; French skills are an advantage • Very good organizational and prioritization skills • A structured, proactive, and forward-looking way of working • Confident, professional, and service-oriented appearance • Political sensorium and discretion in dealing with sensitive topics • The ability to quickly grasp complex content and prepare it appropriately for the target group • Resilience, flexibility, accuracy, and enjoyment of teamwork Work location ## Work location ## We offer ## We offer you a responsible and versatile key role in a dynamic, internationally oriented department of ETH Zürich. You will work closely with the department management, professorships, staff, administrative personnel, and central ETH offices and receive in-depth insight into strategic and operational leadership processes of a university. You benefit from: • High visibility and opportunity to shape matters • Close exchange with the department management and relevant decision-makers • A collegial, demanding, and academically characterized environment • The opportunity to actively help shape processes, governance structures, and internal cooperation • Attractive working conditions at ETH Zürich • Further training opportunities as well as ETH-internal networks and support offers chevron_right Working, teaching, and researching at ETH Zürich Diversity and sustainability are important to us ## In line with our values, ETH Zürich supports an inclusive culture. We promote equal opportunities, value diversity, and maintain a work and learning environment in which the rights and dignity of all employees and students are respected. On our website regarding equal opportunity and diversity, you can learn how we ensure a fair and open environment in which everyone can develop and flourish. Sustainability is a central value for us - we work consistently towards a climate-neutral future. Curious? So are we. ## We look forward to your online application by July 7, 2026, with the following documents: • Cover letter • CV • Work certificates Further information about the D-HEST department can be found on our website D-HEST. For inquiries, Dr. Tobias Walser, tobias.walser@hest.ethz.ch (no application documents), is at your disposal. Please apply exclusively via the online application portal. Applications via 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 recruitment, the terms and conditions of ETH Zürich apply. About ETH Zürich ## The ETH Zürich is one of the best techn