Chief Partnerships and Advancement Officer

About us

The University of Luxembourg (Uni.lu) was established in 2003. With more than 1,000 doctoral candidates among 7,000 students, as well as 300 professors, Uni.lu is positioned as a research university with three priority areas: digital transformation, medicine and health, and sustainable and societal development. The University stands out for its international and multilingual character, its interdisciplinary approach, and its openness to partnerships. The Times Higher Education ranks Uni.lu 4th in the world for its international outlook. Uni.lu is ranked 25th in the Young University Ranking 2023 and among the world's top 250 universities.

Uni.lu offers a personalised learning environment on a human scale for all students. Students are immersed in a multilingual environment and state-of-the-art facilities in the three faculties and soon-to-be five interdisciplinary research centres. The University also offers an exceptional research environment and stands out for the quality of its publications and the reputation of its researchers. The University puts also emphasis on applying its academic expertise to benefit society - its so-called "third mission".

The Chief Partnerships and Advancement Officer will be a key player in transferring the academic knowledge of our University to the society at large, the government, industry and donors, in close collaboration with all the entities of the University.

The position holder will embody an integrated vision for the management of partnerships, recognised as a Uni.lu strategic priority and bring a creative, proactive, and coordinated response to stakeholders.

The position holder will lead and support the activities of four key central units, grouped under the newly created "Partnerships and Advancement Department: Partnerships, Knowledge and Technology Transfer Office, Incubation & Entrepreneurship activities, the Office of Fundraising, and the Alumni Affairs. The new Department will provide high-value services to the University's faculties and centres, with a particular focus on the university's third mission through innovation, entrepreneurship, and community partnerships.

We are seeking individuals who are driven by excellence, excited about innovation, driven by stakeholder management and committed to making a significant impact on Luxembourg, Europe, and the global community. If this sounds like you, you've come to the right place!

Your role

The Chief Partnerships and Advancement Officer will serve as a key strategic officer in the Vice-Rectorate for Partnerships & International Relations (P&RI). In this capacity, the position holder will:

• Oversee the work of the following four existing units: Partnerships, Knowledge & Technology Transfer (KTT), Entrepreneurship & Incubation, Office of Fundraising, Alumni affairs
• Develop and deploy a university-wide strategy for partnerships and advancement in collaboration with the vice-rector
• Advise the Rector, Vice-Rector Partnerships & International Relations, Deans and IC Directors on the building of partnerships and the establishment of chairs and major donations
• Build up the University's capabilities to drive proposals in technology transfer and innovation circles, as well as with government bodies, industrialists and stakeholders in the financial sector
• Provide strategic leadership and sponsorship for the KTT and incubation units both centrally and decentralized, to maximize impact and stimulate the development of the University's intellectual property (patents, licences, copyrights, spin-offs or start-ups)
• Increase the visibility and outreach of our entrepreneurship and incubation programmes and cultivate an entrepreneurial spirit in our community and among our students
• Cultivate new relationships and manage existing ones with key partners
• Provide strategic oversight to fundraising in its mission and act as a driving force for the community to get involved in fundraising for the university's missions
• Nurture the development and structuring of our young alumni network, from the end of the student lifecycle up to the point of their commitment as a donor
• Implement and sustain an integrated information management system for partnerships, donor, Alumni and community relations
• Manage, develop, and act as collaborative leader towards the internal and external team members of the UL Partnerships and Advancement' Department
• Overseeing budgets, staffing, short and long-term planning, programme development, policy, and procedures within its remit

Your profile

• Minimum 15 years of leadership experience in relevant fields
• Proven track-record in stakeholder management and negotiation, with recognised credibility in the respective community
• Inspiring leadership profile with a result-oriented mindset, strong interpersonal skills and the ability to foster solid cross-organizational relationships, ensuring collaborative teamwork, smooth communication and effective cooperation are required
• Experience in innovation, KTT and incubation is expected for this position
• Experience in fundraising and alumni network management is a strong advantage
• A Master's degree is required. A Ph. D. and a research background is considered an advantage
• Knowledge of the Luxembourg ecosystem is a significant asset
• Proficient in English and French; knowledge of additional languages, especially Luxembourgish and German, is considered as an asset

We offer

• Multilingual and international character. Modern institution with a personal atmosphere. Staff coming from 90 countries. Member of the "University of the Greater Region" (UniGR)
• A modern and dynamic university. High-quality equipment. Close ties to the business world and to the Luxembourg labour market. A unique urban site with excellent infrastructure
• A partner for society and industry. Cooperation with European institutions, innovative companies, the Financial Centre and with numerous non-academic partners such as ministries, local governments, associations, NGOs …

How to apply

Applications should include:

• Curriculum Vitae
• Cover letter

Early application is highly encouraged, as the applications will be processed upon reception. Please apply ONLINE formally through the HR system. Applications by Email will not be considered.

All qualified individuals are encouraged to apply. In line with our values, the University of Luxembourg promotes an inclusive culture. We encourage applications from individuals of all backgrounds and are dedicated to upholding equality and respect for our employees and students.

General information:

• Contract Type: Permanent
• Work Hours: Full Time 40.0 Hours per Week
• Location: Campus Belval
• Job Reference: UOL06945