About the opportunity
The University of Southern Denmark is seeking a strategic and experienced Chief of Staff for the Rector’s Office. You will hold a key leadership position close to the university’s executive management, responsible for supporting decision-making processes, setting the direction for the staff, and contributing to university development. The Rector’s Office supports executive leadership and serves the Board of Directors, Executive Board, University Council, and the Joint Consultation Committee. The unit handles tasks within management service, strategy, policy, legal affairs, and cross-functional coordination. The team consists of 30 employees across the Secretariat, Legal, Policy, SAFE, and the Secretariat for the Danish Institute of Advanced Studies (DIAS). You will report directly to the Rector.
Salary and benefits
- Permanent employment position
- Salary classified in salary grade 37
- Annual salary of approximately DKK 1.05 million including pension
- Opportunity to lead a team of 30 professionals in a major knowledge organisation
Who can apply?
- Experience with strategic advising of top executive management
- Strong political and strategic understanding
- Solid management experience and proven ability to achieve results through others
- Convincing communication skills in both Danish and English
- Ability to build relationships and collaborate across organisations and stakeholders
- Strong analytical skills combined with decisiveness and sound judgment
Required documents
- Cover letter (maximum 5 Mb combined with CV)
- CV (maximum 5 Mb combined with cover letter)
- Diploma / transcript of records
- All attached files must be in Adobe PDF format
- All documents must be redacted to remove civil registration numbers (CPR-nummer)
When to apply
- Application deadline is October 25, 2026, at 23:59:59
- Interviews are expected to be conducted on November 3 and November 5, 2026
How to apply
- Prepare your cover letter, CV, and diploma in Adobe PDF format ensuring no CPR numbers are included
- Submit your application through the official online recruitment portal by the deadline of October 25, 2026
Additional information
- Position is available for appointment as soon as possible
- Employment is governed by the collective agreement between the Ministry of Finance and the Danish Confederation of Professional Associations (AC)
- Applicants have the right to information regarding starting salary and salary range during the recruitment process, and SDU does not request information on applicants' previous salaries
Our Take on This Opportunity
This section reflects Open Opportunities’ own analysis of the opportunity from an applicant’s perspective.
You may be a strong fit if…
- You have extensive senior leadership experience in a complex academic, public, or corporate institution advising top executives.
- You possess high-level fluency in both Danish and English and excel in cross-functional communication and stakeholder management.
- You thrive in an environment balancing strategic policy development with direct operational management of multi-disciplinary teams.
What should you think carefully about?
- Relocation to or daily commuting proximity to Odense, Denmark, is required as the role is based on-site at the University of Southern Denmark.
- The scope of leadership covers 30 multidisciplinary staff members, demanding significant capacity for handling diverse administrative, legal, and policy portfolios.
- The recruitment timeline is compressed, with interviews scheduled shortly after the October closing date.
How could this fit your current goals and plans?
This senior leadership role suits seasoned professionals aiming to step into a high-impact executive support and governance position within a prominent European research university. It offers direct proximity to top-tier institutional decision-making and a platform to shape strategy across diverse academic and administrative domains.
Our take
Experienced strategists and executive advisors with strong public sector or academic governance backgrounds should seriously consider applying before the October 25, 2026 deadline. Candidates lacking senior leadership experience or professional fluency in Danish and English will find this role less suitable.
Ready to apply?
Review the opportunity on the official website before applying.
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