Head Strategic Initiatives & Foresight

ETH Zürich Vacant since : 01.10.2026 Number of jobs : 1 8050 Zürich (ZH) 100% By agreement Permanent

Stellentitel Head Strategic Initiatives & Foresight Bereich Office of the President Einleitungstext Shape what comes next.

ETH Zurich is looking for an outstanding strategic thinker and leader to head its Strategic Foresight Hub (SFH) within the Office of the President. Leading a small, highly capable team, you will work at the intersection of strategy, foresight, analysis and institutional development – helping ETH Zurich anticipate emerging challenges and opportunities, shape strategic choices, and mobilise expertise to turn strategic thinking into action.

This is a role for someone who enjoys working on complex, cross-cutting and consequential questions, is comfortable operating with incomplete information, and can move seamlessly from analysis and reflection to action. The ideal candidate is agile, thrives in a fast-moving environment, and is able to lead and motivate a small, high-performing team while maintaining a strong strategic focus.

Head Strategic Initiatives & Foresight, 100%, permanent

We are looking for an intellectually curious, strategically minded and highly accomplished professional who combines analytical depth with sound judgement and a strong bias towards action.

• A university degree, preferably at doctoral level, in a relevant field such as social sciences, economics, political science, science and technology, engineering, or a related discipline.
• Several years of professional experience in strategy, strategic planning, foresight, policy, management consulting, research, innovation, task forces or a comparable field.
• A proven ability to understand complex issues quickly, identify what matters, structure ambiguity and develop clear, evidence-based recommendations.
• Strong analytical and conceptual skills, combined with the ability to translate complex information into concise and compelling decision-making material.
• Experience in leading strategic projects and multidisciplinary teams, preferably in an international and intellectually demanding environment.
• Demonstrated ability to work effectively with senior leaders and diverse stakeholders, including academics, experts, institutional leaders and external partners.
• Excellent facilitation, communication and presentation skills, with outstanding written and verbal English; proficiency in German is an advantage.
• The confidence and agility to operate in situations where the questions are not yet clearly defined and where speed, discretion and sound judgement are essential.
• A collaborative and entrepreneurial mindset, with the ability to build trust, mobilise people and get things done across organisational boundaries.
• A genuine interest in science, technology and the societal forces shaping the future, and in the role of a leading university in addressing complex global challenges.

You will join the Office of the President of ETH Zurich at a particularly important moment in the institution's development. Working in close proximity to the President and the Executive Board, you will have the opportunity to engage with some of the most consequential strategic questions facing one of the world's leading universities.

You will lead a small team with a broad mandate and considerable autonomy, while drawing on the exceptional expertise of ETH Zurich's faculty, staff and international network.

The role offers a unique combination of strategic proximity, intellectual breadth, institutional impact and the opportunity to shape what comes next.

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• Lead strategic initiatives on behalf of the President, addressing complex, cross-cutting or…