Executive Secretary & Strategic Projects Manager

Do you have experience in leading complex projects in a research setting? Do you thrive in a fast-paced international environment? Then join us in shaping the future of railway technology!

Job description

Railway is the cleanest, fastest, and most sustainable transport mode that provides mass mobility. However, the fast growth of passenger and freight transport together with accelerated urbanisation processes in the last decade have led to severe pressure on infrastructures and operations, causing a clear urgency to develop smart multidisciplinary solutions. DelftRail highlights the significance of advanced research in railway engineering and operations, striving for a sustainable and resilient railway system. By promoting the railway as Europe’s main mode of sustainable mobility, DelftRail secures crucial research funding and cultivates interdisciplinary railway experts urgently needed for the future.

As Executive Secretary and Strategic Projects Manager you will have the chance to make a real impact in the rail sector. You will play a crucial role collaborating with the Scientific director and General director. Positioned at the intersection of science and practical application, you will be involved in initiatives that directly impact sustainable mobility. Furthermore, you will manage strategic projects and build valuable connections within and beyond the organization, contributing to cutting-edge research and societal impact in a dynamic environment.

The Executive Secretary & Strategic Projects Manager carries several key responsibilities:

• Project Management: You lead strategic projects, including our flagship research projects STEM and RESET and will be closely involved with other strategic initiatives and projects such as our  Digital Twin Initiative, and educational aims. You ensure effective planning, timely delivery, and budget management. Moreover, you identify and start new projects that support our mission.

• Strategic Decision-Making: You are the driving engine of the decision-making process. You offer analysis and insights and work together with the directors to make informed choices, develop DelftRail's strategy, and translate it into a plan of action.

• Stakeholder Management: You collaborate with both internal and external stakeholders to align strategic project goals and ensure their successful execution. Oversee and coordinate all processes related to the Steering Committee and Supervisory Board: Ensure agendas align with the institute’s strategic goals. Facilitate preparation by providing essential documents and insights. Track key decisions and action points, ensuring effective follow-up to support accountability and drive progress.

Requirements

You are a senior professional with at least five years of experience navigating multifaceted projects with numerous stakeholders, and ready to take the next step in your career.A strong sense of responsibility and resilience is essential for navigating complex challenges, developing strategies, and coordinating key initiatives. This role is perfect for someone who is proactive, strategic, and genuinely committed to making a difference. Ideal candidates should possess the following qualifications:

• Organizational awareness
• Demonstrated project Management Expertise
• Advance analytical and Problem-Solving Skills.
• Excellent communication skills and fluency in English and Dutch.
• Driven personality with sense of initiative and can-do mentality.
• Experience in budget management and financial oversight

TU Delft (Delft University of Technology)

Delft University of Technology is built on strong foundations. As creators of the world-famous Dutch waterworks and pioneers in biotech, TU Delft is a top international university combining science, engineering and design. It delivers world class results in education, research and innovation to address challenges in the areas of energy, climate, mobility, health and digital society. For generations, our engineers have proven to be entrepreneurial problem-solvers, both in business and in a social context. 

At TU Delft we embrace diversity as one of our core values and we actively engage to be a university where you feel at home and can flourish. We value different perspectives and qualities. We believe this makes our work more innovative, the TU Delft community more vibrant and the world more just. Together, we imagine, invent and create solutions using technology to have a positive impact on a global scale. That is why we invite you to apply. Your application will receive fair consideration. 

Challenge. Change. Impact! 

Faculty of Civil Engineering and Geosciences

The Faculty of Civil Engineering & Geosciences (CEG) is committed to outstanding international research and education in the field of civil engineering, applied earth sciences, traffic and transport, water technology, and delta technology. Our research feeds into our educational programmes and covers societal challenges such as climate change, energy transition, resource availability, urbanisation and clean water. Our research projects are conducted in close cooperation with a wide range of research institutions. CEG is convinced of the importance of open science and supports its scientists in integrating open science in their research practice. The Faculty of CEG comprises 28 research groups in the following seven departments: Materials Mechanics Management & Design, Engineering Structures, Geoscience and Engineering, Geoscience and Remote Sensing, Transport & Planning, Hydraulic Engineering and Water Management. 

Click here to go to the website of the Faculty of Civil Engineering & Geosciences. 

Conditions of Employment

As Executive Secretary & Strategic Projects Manager, we offer you a stimulating working environment where no day is ever the same. You’ll have the chance to collaborate with extremely talented and passionate people and to learn and develop yourself every day. On a practical level, we offer you a TU Delft contract with the benefits below.

You get:

• A position for 22-24 hours per week (0.6 fte).
• The employment contract is for a fixed term of two years, with the possibility of extension. For internal candidates holding a permanent contract, (1) your existing permanent contract will remain in effect, and (2) there may be an opportunity for a (part-time) secondment arrangement.
• Flexible working hours and the possibility to work hybrid (home/office).
• A salary according to the CAO Dutch Universities scale 12 (from € 5.441 gross to € 6.986 gross per month based on 38 hours per week), plus 8% vacation allowance and a year-end bonus of 8.3%.
• Up to 41 vacation days per year based on full-time employment.
• An excellent fringe benefits package (including a pension plan and partially paid parental leave) that you can put together yourself through a flexible choice package.
• Plenty of opportunities to follow trainings and courses.

For more information visit working at TU Delft.

Additional information

For more information about this vacancy, please contact: Prof. Zili Li (z.li@tudelft.nl) and Prof. Rolf Dollevoet (r.p.b.j.dollevoet@tudelft.nl)   

Application procedure

Are you interested in this vacancy? Please apply no later than 20 December 2024 via the application button and upload the following documents:

• CV
• Motivational letter

Please note:

• You can apply online. We will not process applications sent by email and/or post. 
• A pre-employment screening can be part of the selection procedure.
• A knowledge security check will be part of the selection procedure (for details page 45: national knowledge security guidelines)
• Please do not contact us for unsolicited services.