Director Engagement & Research Services; fte

We are looking for a Director Engagement & Research Services (ERS). ERS supports the scientific staff and faculties of Erasmus University Rotterdam (EUR) in promoting excellent science and external collaborations. As Director you think strategically, lead an internationally oriented team with a clear vision on the societal role of EUR and create positive societal impact at the regional, national and European level.

You play an important role in connecting EUR’s rich knowledge with social partners, such as research funders, NWO, the European Commission and the Dutch government. You promote open and responsible science and optimize EUR’s ability to obtain competitive funding. Do you want to contribute to EUR’s societal impact? Then apply now!

As Director ERS, you will be responsible for the further embedding of this relatively young business unit in the EUR organisation. After the build-up phase of recent years, ERS now has an important task to contribute to further diversification of the revenue streams of EUR. ERS also has an important role to play in realising the EUR strategy to become a future-proof university firmly embedded in society.

Maintaining and strengthening good relations with the EUR faculties as well as central services such as the University Library (UB), IT (EDIS), Academic Affairs (AZ) and Marketing & Communications (M&C), is part of your daily tasks. You also work closely and develop a close-knit network with external parties such as research funders, NWO, the European Commission and the Dutch government to meet the demand for appropriate research support within the faculties.

• Managing and being a sparring partner for the three department heads within ERS (Research Grants, Innovation & Partnerships, Open & Responsible Science) and a group of staff members, including communications, legal, external relations, office management, research intelligence and information management.
• Operating as an experienced manager with the vision, listening skills, persuasiveness, steadfastness and connecting qualities to perpetuate and further embed ERS’ services within EUR.
• Creating connections between the research services of different faculties and central services using a collaborative and flexible attitude with jointly defined goals as a starting point.
• Collaborating with existing departments and services in developing policies and support services. Key themes are Engagement, recognition & appreciation, talent management, research vision, open science, and Research Data Management.
• Positioning the EUR in external alliances, such as the Convergence (collaboration of TU Delft, Erasmus Medical Centre, EUR), LDE (collaboration of Leiden University, TU Delft, EUR), other strategic partnerships and broad, thematic networks with stakeholders.
• Acting as a sparring partner for the Executive Board, (vice) deans, and directors of services, faculties and departments within the university.
• Working closely with the Strategic Dean Impact & Engagement to jointly contribute to the impact mission of the EUR and create and develop (new) initiatives.

• You are familiar with the academic world, navigate complex environments easily and are able to create connections in an informal manner.
• Academic work and thinking level. A candidate with a PhD would be an advantage.
• Affinity with the impact theme and with the strategic and organisational aspects of engaged, inter- en transdisciplinary research.
• Broad leadership and management experience (5 years minimum) in a complex, knowledge-intensive organisation.
• Proven ability to lead in a coaching manner based on trust. You are able to garner support, optimise interactions between ERS and the faculties, and achieve results with attention for both people and organisation.
• Strong connecting leadership qualities that you utilize to get the entire organisation on board in a more collaborative, mission-driven and impact-oriented strategy of research acquisition and execution with a clearly defined and supported role for ERS.
• Broad national and international network of external partners and research funders.
• Excellent command of the Dutch and…