Managing Director at the Interdisciplinary Transformation University (m/f/d)

About I:TU

Austria has a new technical university: IT:U - the Interdisciplinary Transformation University. IT:U was founded in Linz, Upper Austria, in 2023. IT:U´s identity will be defined by cutting edge interdisciplinary research addressing digital transformation challenges on the road to a sustainable future. The university will develop an international, interdisciplinary, and inclusive community of students, scientists, and teachers, to conduct education in challenge-based projects, promoting project-based learning and using groundbreaking educational technology to scale up. IT:U will educate transformers in 21st century skills in a rich toolbox of digital and computational methods, ranging from data science and artificial intelligence to robotics and augmented reality.

The Role

As Managing Director, you will be responsible for implementing and continuously improving the institution’s administrative and operational framework, ensuring efficiency, transparency, and compliance within a forward-thinking, digital-first environment. This includes building and enhancing a service-oriented, digital, and efficient administration, tailored to the needs of a young and growing institution. You will oversee day-to-day business operations in accordance with sound commercial principles and manage the university’s annual budget and financial planning processes in close collaboration with the President. You will further act as a key liaison to national and international authorities, public institutions, and other stakeholders in the education sector. See the candidate brochure for more information.

Your Profile:

We are seeking a dynamic Managing Director who will help build this new emerging university with us; someone who is ready to roll up their sleeves, to try out something new and to take on a unique leadership role at the interface of organizational development, digital innovation, and public accountability. Our focus is on smart administration, efficient service orientation, and the strategic use of digital tools and AI technologies to create a lean, adaptive, and high-performing organization. If you are passionate about collaboratively creating efficient structures and processes and possess outstanding management skills to contribute to the growth of our institution, we invite you to apply for this exciting opportunity. The role requires fluency in German and English, both spoken and written.

How to Apply

The appointment of the Managing Director will be guided by a selection panel chaired by the Founding President, Professor Stefanie Lindstaedt. Perrett Laver will support the selection panel in the discharge of its duties, both to assist in the assessment of candidates against the requirements for the role and to identify the widest possible field of qualified individuals. Further information, including details of how to apply, can be downloaded at https://plusportal.perrettlaver.com/ quoting reference 7957. The deadline for applications is Monday, 11th August 2025 at 9am CET.

The selection panel will convene to decide upon the field of shortlisted candidates in September. These individuals will be invited to meet with senior stakeholders at the University in person. Upon decision by the University organs, as outlined in the University bylaws, the first ranked candidate will be invited to discuss the details of appointment in End September.

As IT:U seeks to further increase the percentage of women in its leadership positions, female candidates with equal qualification for the position and in the absence of any other outweighing factors, will be preferred.

Should you require access to this document in an alternative format, please contact erik.hafner@perrettlaver.com.

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