ESS Administration Director

The European Spallation Source (ESS), a multi-disciplinary research facility, is a European Research Infrastructure Consortium (ERIC), based in Lund, Sweden. The vision is to create the world’s most powerful neutron source able to deliver excellent and innovative scientific research related to materials, energy, health and the environment.

ESS invites applications for the position of ESS Administration Director reporting directly to the Director General and is part of the Executive management team, that also acts as the Steering Committee of the ESS project. The ESS Project is the complex of activities that will deliver the ESS facility ready for steady state operations. Together with the Director General and the members of the ESS Executive Board you will be responsible for the ESS Project performance goals, scope, cost, schedule, and deliverables.

About the team

The Administration Directorate consists of several teams with various experience and expertise in the areas of:


• Business control and Finance
• Supply, Procurement and Logistics
• Human Resources
• Communication
• Legal

The teams work together to ensure that ESS supports the project and the organization as it transfers into operations.

About the role

As the successful candidate and future ESS Administration Director, you are an experienced manager and leader, providing direction and inspiring the implementation of solutions as well as best practices that address the project’s and organisation’s priorities. You will be responsible:


• for the administrative, legal, operational and financial support of the organizsation.
• for all aspects of the operations in the Directorate to ensure efficiency and performance in accordance with regulations, policies, objectives, strategy and business plans.
• to the Executive Board (EB) and the Council, concerning the overall financial strategy at ESS and managing ESS funds, and enable EB and Council to understand financial consequences of developments and decisions.
• for establishing and maintaining relationships with financial institutions, external auditors and contributors, report the state of the project to the Steering Committee and equally directly to other stakeholders and to the ESS Council.

About you

You should have an advanced university degree in Business and Economics, Business administration or other relevant disciplines, and ideally the following work experience:


• At least ten years of experience in leading complex organisations including a significant period working in a large, international and fast-paced organisation
• Extensive experience from business controlling or finance management
• Substantial experience in leading teams
• Experience from the public sector or a large-scale research facility is a strong asset
• Experience working in collaboration with partner institutions from different countries
• Experience in risk management and compliance
• A proven track record in delivering change management and successfully finalizing projects
• Demonstrated ability to organise and execute assignments and action plans
• Possess excellent presentation skills, and perfectly master English orally and in written form.

This is an exciting and challenging role in a continuously changing organisation, where focus is on both strategic and operational work, always with quality, efficiency and best financial practices in mind.

Application process

If you see yourself in what we’re looking for, please provide your CV and motivation letter in English by clicking on “apply” and following the instructions. Please be aware that we can only accept direct applications made via the ESS website. Submit your application by 12th of June, 2023 and quote the job reference number ESD-31426 in your application.

This role requires a security clearance check, which will be required in the final stages of the recruitment process.

ESS value equal opportunity. Qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, age, disability or any other protected categories.

For more information regarding the ESS recruitment process, please follow this link https://europeanspallationsource.se/ess-recruitment-process.

For trade union information, please contact Unionen representative Conny Wendt at conny.wendt@ess.eu or SACO/Swedish Association of Graduate Engineers representative Yngve Levinsen at yngve.levinsen@ess.eu
We look forward to receiving your application soon!