Chief of Staff to the Rector's Office at SDU

Do you want to lead the professional support of SDU's top management and be a central advisor to the rectorate in one of Denmark's largest knowledge organizations?

Syddansk Universitet (SDU) is seeking a strategically strong and experienced Chief of Staff for the Rector's Office. You will hold a key position close to the university's top management with responsibility for supporting decision-making processes, setting direction for the staff, and contributing to the development of the university.

About the position

As Chief of Staff, you will have overall responsibility for leadership, operations and development of the Rector's Office at SDU.

The Rector's Office at SDU supports the university's top management and serves, among others, the Board, the Executive Board, the University Council and the Main Coordinating Committee. The staff handles tasks within leadership support, strategy, policy, law and cross-cutting coordination.

You will be a close advisor to the rectorate and participate in meetings of the rectorate and the executive board. You will contribute with strategic, political and communicative advice and help translate complex agendas into clear decisions and actions.

Your key tasks are to

• ensure professional leadership support and strong decision-making processes
• develop strategic and political advice for the university's leadership
• create direction, prioritization and coherence across the staff's tasks
• lead and develop managers and employees
• support strong collaboration and a good working environment
• represent SDU in relevant contexts.

SDU Rector's Office consists of 30 employees distributed across the Secretariat, Law, Policy, SAFE as well as the secretariat for the Danish Institute of Advanced Studies (DIAS).

About you

You have experience with strategic advisory for top management and thrive at the intersection of leadership, politics and organization.

We particularly value that you

• have strong political and strategic understanding
• are a valuable sparring partner who can challenge constructively
• have solid leadership experience and achieve results through others
• communicate persuasively in Danish and English
• can build relations and collaborate across organizations and stakeholders
• combine analytical strength with action and judgement
• maintain an overview and direction in complex and dynamic situations.

Terms of employment

This is a permanent position, to be filled as soon as possible.

Employment is in accordance with the agreement between the Ministry of Finance and AC.

The position is classified in pay grade 37. The salary will be approx. 1.05 million DKK annually, including pension.

As an applicant you have the right to information about the starting salary and salary range for the position. These details can be obtained in connection with the recruitment process. SDU does not obtain information about applicants' previous salaries.

The Chief of Staff reports to the Rector.

Application and contact

Application deadline is 25 October 2026 at 23:59:59.

Further information about the position can be obtained by contacting Rector Jens Ringsmose, tel. 60111031.

We expect to conduct interviews on 3 and 5 November 2026.

Applications must include a cover letter, CV and diploma. All documents related to the application should not contain a CPR number – if present, the CPR number must be crossed out.

All attached files must be in Adobe PDF format.

Syddansk Universitet wishes to reflect the surrounding society and therefore encourages all, regardless of personal background, to apply for the position.

About SDU

Research and teaching at SDU are conducted by six faculties: Humanities, Natural Sciences, Social Sciences, Health Sciences and Technical Faculty, as well as SDU Business School.

The university works to create value for and with society through high quality, talented people and excellent environments.