Global Affairs
Senior Manager European Initiatives 100 %
Start of employment as soon as possible or up on agreement, permanent employmentThe Global Affairs Office of the University of Zurich (UZH) shapes and manages the University's global engagement and partnerships with key stakeholders across the global higher education, research and innovation landscape. It supports the Executive Board in developing UZH's external relations and coordinates the implementation of the University's internationalization strategy. In this role, Global Affairs is responsible for strategic partnerships, coordination of our international networks, organising global events and outreach activities as well as providing a range of internal services.
To drive forward our European partnership and network activities, we are looking for an experienced professional to join our team. This position is based at the University of Zurich's main campus and requires a regular on-site presence in Zurich as part of a collaborative team environment.
Your responsibilities
In this role, you will coordinate and shape UZH's partnership and network activities with European partner universities. This includes our main European networks Una Europa and LERU, but also our bilateral partnerships, working closely with colleagues across UZH, our university leadership and European partners.
Your key responsibilities include:
Una Europa:
LERU & European developments:
European partnerships
Your key responsibilities include:
Una Europa:
- Coordinate UZH's engagement in Una Europa, ensuring alignment with university priorities and acting as the central point of contact for the alliance.
- Manage relationships with key stakeholders across UZH, Una Europa partner universities, the Una Europa Secretariat, Movetia and other relevant partners.
- Brief and support university leadership involved in Una Europa governance, represent UZH in relevant meetings, and implement or coordinate the follow-up of decisions.
- Oversee the implementation of Una Europa projects at UZH, including project coordination, budget management, controlling and reporting.
- Line Management of the Senior Project Lead for the main Una Europa Erasmus+ Project.
LERU & European developments:
- Represent UZH in the LERU Senior Officers Network (SON) together with the Head of Global Affairs, coordinating internal activities, consultation processes and information exchanges.
- Monitor relevant European higher education and research policy developments, where relevant, and share relevant insights within UZH and Global Affairs.
European partnerships
- Manage relationships with priority European partner universities.
- Plan and coordinate strategic partnership visits, governance meetings and events, including briefing materials, budget oversight and quality assurance.
- Coordinate partnership requests and ensure effective information management and communication around European partnership activities.
- Contribute to the implementation of UZH's Global Strategy 2030 within the European partnerships portfolio.
Your profile
You are an experienced and internationally minded higher education professional with a genuine passion for European collaboration. You are energized by bringing people, institutions and ideas together and enjoy working in complex international environments where relationships, trust and long-term engagement matter.
You have a strong interest in European higher education, research and innovation, and are motivated by the opportunity to advance partnership and collaborative initiatives across Europe. Whether working on university alliances, institutional partnerships, European policy developments, you combine tactical thinking with a hands-on approach and a strong commitment to delivery.
Ideally, you bring:
Personally, you are enthusiastic, collaborative and open-minded. You enjoy working across organizational and cultural boundaries, build trusted relationships with ease and are comfortable navigating complexity and ambiguity. You combine initiative with sound judgment, are curious about new developments, and contribute actively to a supportive and collegial team environment.
You have a strong interest in European higher education, research and innovation, and are motivated by the opportunity to advance partnership and collaborative initiatives across Europe. Whether working on university alliances, institutional partnerships, European policy developments, you combine tactical thinking with a hands-on approach and a strong commitment to delivery.
Ideally, you bring:
- several years of professional experience in international relations, partnership development, programme management or a comparable role within higher education or a related international environment with a strong focus on Europe.
- a strong understanding of the European higher education and research landscape and a genuine interest in current developments and policy discussions across Europe.
- excellent project management and coordination skills and confidence in representing institutional interests in national and international settings.
- excellent English language skills, additional European languages are considered an asset.
Personally, you are enthusiastic, collaborative and open-minded. You enjoy working across organizational and cultural boundaries, build trusted relationships with ease and are comfortable navigating complexity and ambiguity. You combine initiative with sound judgment, are curious about new developments, and contribute actively to a supportive and collegial team environment.
Information on your application
Please submit your application file (CV, motivation letter, reference letters and diplomas) by 6. September 2026.First-round interviews will take place in person at the UZH Main Building during the week of 14. September 2026. As applications will be reviewed after the closing date, all candidates will be informed about the next steps in the week of the 7. September 2026.
What we offer
Our employees benefit from a wide range of attractive offers. Find out more: https://www.uzh.ch/de/explore/work.html.
What we offer
Further information
Questions about the job
Katja Durkin-Sommerhalder Head Global Affairs
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Questions about the application procedure
Larissa Nina Albrecht Engagement and Operations Officer
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Working at UZH
The University of Zurich, Switzerland's largest university, offers a range of attractive positions in various subject areas and professional fields. With around 10,000 employees and currently 12 professional apprenticeship streams the University offers an inspiring working environment on cutting-edge research and top-class education. Put your talent and skills to work with us. Find out more about UZH as an employer!
More → https://www.uzh.ch/en/explore/work.html
Please apply via our job portal www.jobs.uzh.ch.
The University of Zurich, Switzerland's largest university, offers a range of attractive positions in various subject areas and professional fields. With around 10,000 employees and currently 12 professional apprenticeship streams the University offers an inspiring working environment on cutting-edge research and top-class education. Put your talent and skills to work with us. Find out more about UZH as an employer!
More → https://www.uzh.ch/en/explore/work.html
Please apply via our job portal www.jobs.uzh.ch.
Working at UZH
The University of Zurich, Switzerland's largest university, offers a range of attractive positions in various subject areas and professional fields. With around 10,000 employees and currently 12 professional apprenticeship streams the University offers an inspiring working environment on cutting-edge research and top-class education. Put your talent and skills to work with us. Find out more about UZH as an employer!
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