The Department of Health Sciences and Technology (D-HEST) at ETH Zurich is seeking a dedicated, highly organized, and communicative individual to fill the position of Department Manager with deputy management responsibilities, starting on September 1, 2026, or by agreement.
In this key role, you will support the department head 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, handle governance and interface tasks, and provide operational management for the department staff.
Job description
As a department manager, you are a key contact person for business and processes at the department management level. You prepare decision-making documents, coordinate meetings and outstanding tasks, are responsible for operational planning and processes, and further develop internal procedures.
- Supporting the department head and the managing director in strategic matters
- Preparation, organization and follow-up of departmental management meetings, including agendas, documents, minutes and pending items management.
- Preparation of briefings, presentations, concept papers and decision-making documents for the department management.
- Coordination and operational responsibility for governance issues, regulations, consultations, accreditations and academic procedures
- Operational responsibility for procedures related to externally 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 requests to the department management
- Operational management of the department staff, including staff meetings, process development, cultural issues, and selected personnel management tasks.
- Deputy Managing Director in defined areas of responsibility
- Participation in internal communication formats, exchange platforms and cross-departmental initiatives
profile
We are looking for an experienced, ethical, and resilient individual with strong organizational skills, excellent communication abilities, and a passion for working in an academic environment. You possess leadership skills, diplomatic tact, and a keen understanding of people, processes, and institutional contexts.
They have:
- A university degree in natural sciences or equivalent qualification 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 role
- Experience in a university setting or in a comparable knowledge-based organization is an advantage.
- Excellent written and spoken German and English skills; knowledge of French is an advantage.
- Excellent organizational and prioritization skills
- A structured, proactive and forward-looking approach to work
- Confident, professional and service-oriented demeanor
- Political sensitivity and discretion in dealing with sensitive topics
- The ability to quickly grasp complex content and present it in a way that is appropriate for the target audience.
- Resilience, flexibility, accuracy and enjoyment of teamwork
workplace
We offer
We offer you a responsible and diverse key role in a dynamic, internationally oriented department at ETH Zurich. You will work closely with the department management, professors, staff, administrative personnel and central ETH offices, gaining in-depth insights into the strategic and operational management processes of a university.
You will benefit from:
- High visibility and design possibilities
- Close exchange with the department management and relevant decision-makers
- A collegial, demanding and academically oriented environment
- The opportunity to actively shape processes, governance structures and internal collaboration
- Attractive working conditions at ETH Zurich
- Further education opportunities as well as ETH-internal networks and funding programs
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Diversity and sustainability are important to us.
In line with
our values, ETH Zurich supports an inclusive culture. We promote equal opportunities, value diversity, and cultivate a working and learning environment in which the rights and dignity of all employees and students are respected. On our
Equal Opportunities and Diversity website , you can learn how we ensure a fair and open environment in which everyone can develop and reach their full potential. Sustainability is a core value for us – we are consistently working towards a
Curious? So are we.
We look forward to receiving your online application by July 7, 2026, including the following documents:
- Letter of motivation
- CV
- Employment references
Further information about the HEST department can be found on our website D-HEST . For inquiries, please contact Dr. Tobias Walser at tobias.walser@hest.ethz.ch (no application documents, please).
Please apply exclusively via the online application portal. Applications submitted by email or 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.
The terms and conditions of ETH Zurich apply to recruitment agencies .