Head of Secretariat at the Institute of Clinical Medicine

Head of Secretariat for the Institute of Clinical Medicine

Would you like to help develop the administrative engine of one of the University of Copenhagen's largest institutes, closely linked to medical education, clinical research, and the collaboration between the university and the health service? The Institute of Clinical Medicine (IKM) is a large and complex institute with a special position at the crossroads between the university and the health service. We create new medical insights and educate tomorrow's doctors.

A substantial part of the institute's activities takes place in close interaction with hospitals and other actors in the Capital Region of Denmark, while the institute is an integrated part of the Faculty of Health and Medical Sciences at the University of Copenhagen.

We are looking for a Head of Secretariat who can help ensure a professional and coherent support to the institute management and at the same time actively contribute to the continued development of the institute's organization and secretariat.

A central role close to research, education and health services

You will become part of a relatively new institute leadership that is setting the direction for IKM and developing collaboration across the institute. Here you get a close position to decisions and the opportunity to contribute to a leadership culture characterized by openness, trust, clarity and responsibility close to the task.

You will have a broad leadership scope and real opportunity to influence the secretariat's organization, collaboration methods and priorities. Together with the staff, you will develop a common secretariat where competences are brought into play across, and where there is a clear direction, good development opportunities and a sustainable working environment.

We offer a workplace with an important social mission, wide professional span and short paths to central decisions. You will get close to the development of medical education, clinical research and the collaboration between the university and the health service. Read more about the institute here.

An organization in change

The institute faces significant changes in the coming years. IKM got a new institute head in spring 2026 and has since gained two new vice-institute heads. The relatively new institute leadership is setting the direction for the institute, developing cross-institutional collaboration and rethinking how the secretariat best supports the core tasks. This is happening alongside the development of medical education, regionalization, the establishment of Region East, new collaboration interfaces and changed frameworks for research, innovation and administration.

The Secretariat

The Secretariat consists of approximately 12 employees who support the institute's tasks, including education, executive support and cross-cutting administration. The Secretariat works closely with the faculty, the university's central administration and the institute's many partners. The Institute of Clinical Medicine falls under the Faculty of Health and Medical Sciences. The workplace address is Blegdamsvej 3B, 2200 Copenhagen N.

The Task

As Head of Secretariat you will be part of the institute leadership and play a central role in translating the leadership's priorities into well-functioning administrative practice. You will have line management responsibility for the institute's approximately 12 administrative staff and become a close sparring partner for the institute head and three vice-institute heads.

A substantial part of the task is to create coherence between the institute leadership's decisions, the secretariat, and the University Administration, and to ensure that decisions are translated into action and followed through.

Among other things you shall

• support the institute head and the institute leadership strategically and operationally, including preparing decisions, creating an overview and ensuring follow-up
• coordinate the daily task execution in the institute's secretariat and contribute to clear priorities and effective cross-institutional collaboration
• set clear direction for the secretariat and create good framework for staff well-being, professional development and cross-organizational collaboration
• ensure coherence between the institute's administrative areas, in particular finance, HR and education
• support the institute's extensive teaching mission and at the same time contribute to the development of the administrative support for research, innovation and other activities
• function as a central link between the institute leadership and relevant actors at the faculty and university as well as hospitals and other partners in Region East
• represent and coordinate IKM in relevant administrative and organizational collaborations with SUND, other institutes and the university's central administration
• drive larger cross-cutting processes and development projects independently from idea and analysis to implementation and follow-up
• actively contribute to the development of the institute's organization, workflows and administrative support during a period of significant changes.

The role is not only about administering existing processes. We are seeking a Head of Secretariat who, together with the institute leadership, can develop the secretariat's organization, strengthen cross-institutional collaboration and ensure that administrative efforts support the institute's strategic direction.

Who are you?

You have a relevant academic education and experience with management support, staff leadership and organizational development in a complex organization. Experience from the university world, the health service or another politically or professionally structured organization is an advantage. The most important is that you are curious about both the university's and the health service's logics and can translate that understanding into clear leadership, good decision-making processes and well-functioning administrative support.

We place particular emphasis on your ability to

• navigate confidently between strategy and operations. You handle concrete issues when necessary, but you can also lift your eyes, identify connections, and translate complexity into priorities, decisions and action.
• be an experienced and clear people leader who creates followership through direction, trust and genuine interest in employees' professional expertise. You can lead through change, prioritize wellbeing and development while ensuring the Secretariat's tasks are performed with quality and coherence.
• work independently, take responsibility and move processes forward
• have strong organizational and analytical skills and can create structure in complex problems
• collaborate with many different professionalities and organizational levels and build strong relationships
• communicate clearly and precisely – both orally and in writing – and translate complex issues into decision proposals and clear communication
• be curious, solution-oriented and able to see opportunities beyond existing organizational frames
• thrive with change and can contribute to both developing and implementing new solutions
• have an interest in technology and digitalization and can use modern digital tools, including AI tools, to strengthen analysis, communication, knowledge sharing and efficient workflows in the secretariat.
• have organizational judgment and can navigate safely in an environment with many stakeholders and different considerations.

Application, process and terms of employment

You can hear more about the position by contacting Genitor partner Martin Isenbecker at Email: [email protected] or phone: +45 2565 9231.

Salary and employment terms

Employment is as a chief consultant with personnel responsibility under the current agreement between the Ministry of Finance and Akademikerne, including Protocol on senior consultants and chief consultants on the new pay system and Protocol on chief consultants with personnel management. There will be the possibility of negotiation of supplements based on qualifications. You can read more about state pay levels on this page. This is an indefinite full-time position.

The expected start date is 1 January 2027 or as soon as possible thereafter.

We plan to hold 1st interviews on 2 November and 2nd interviews on 13 November. There will be a personality test and a case during the second interviews.

Application

If you are interested in the position, please submit an electronic application accompanied by a CV and diplomas via the apply button at the bottom of the listing, so we have it no later than 25 October 2026 at 23:59.

The University of Copenhagen encourages everyone to apply regardless of personal background.

Apply