Head of Secretariat for one of the University of Copenhagen's largest institutes with great societal impact – Institute of Clinical Medicine

Do you want to help develop the administrative engine of one of Copenhagen University’s largest institutes, close to medical education, clinical research, and the collaboration between the university and the health care sector? The Institute of Clinical Medicine is seeking an experienced Head of Secretariat who can combine clear personnel leadership, organizational judgment, and strong management support during a period of significant change.

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 care system. We create new medical insights and educate tomorrow’s doctors. A substantial part of the institute’s activities takes place in close collaboration with hospitals and other actors in the Capital Region of Denmark, while the institute is an integral 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 professional and coherent support for the institute leadership while actively contributing to the continued development of the institute’s organization and secretariat.

A central role close to research, education and health care

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

You will have a large degree of leadership autonomy and a real opportunity to influence the secretariat’s organization, forms of collaboration and priorities. Together with the staff, you will develop a common secretariat where competencies are brought into play across the organization, and where there is clear direction, good development opportunities and a sustainable working environment.

We offer a workplace with an important societal mission, broad professional scope, and short lines to central decision-making. You will come close to the development of medical education, clinical research, and the collaboration between the university and the health care sector. Read more about the institute here.

An organization in change

In the coming years, the institute faces significant changes. IKM appointed a new institute leader in spring 2026 and has since added two new vice-institute leaders. The relatively new institute leadership is setting a direction for the institute, developing cross-institutional collaboration and rethinking how the secretariat can best support the core activities. This happens concurrently with the development of medical education, regionalization, the establishment of the Capital Region of Denmark, new collaboration platforms and changed frameworks for research, innovation and administration.

The Secretariat

The Secretariat consists of about 12 staff members 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 reports to 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 leadership 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 director and three vice-institute leaders.

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

You will, among other things

• support the institute leadership strategically and operationally, including preparing decisions, creating overview and ensuring follow-up
• coordinate the daily task handling in the institute’s secretariat and contribute to clear priorities and effective cross-institutional collaboration
• set a clear direction for the secretariat and create good conditions for staff well-being, professional development and cross-functional collaboration
• ensure coherence between the institute’s administrative areas, particularly finance, HR and education
• support the institute’s extensive teaching duties while contributing to the development of administrative support for research, innovation and other activities
• function as a central link between the institute leadership and relevant stakeholders at the faculty and university as well as hospitals and other partners in the Region Øst
• 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 change.

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

Who are you?

You have a relevant academic degree and experience with executive support, personnel management and organizational development in a complex organization. Experience from the university world, health care sector or another political or professionally integrated organization is an advantage. The most important is that you are curious about both the university’s and health care system’s logics and can translate that understanding into clear leadership, sound decision-making processes and well-functioning administrative support.

We place particular emphasis on the following

• you can move confidently between strategy and operations. You handle concrete problems when necessary but can also lift your gaze, identify connections and translate complexity into priorities, decisions and actions.
• you are an experienced and clear line manager who creates buy-in through direction, trust and genuine interest in staff professionalism. You can lead through change, prioritize well-being and development and ensure that the secretariat’s tasks are done with quality and coherence.
• you work independently, take responsibility and move processes forward
• you have strong organizational and analytical skills and can create structure in complex problems
• you can collaborate with many different professional groups and organizational levels and build strong relationships
• you communicate clearly and precisely – both orally and in writing – and can translate complex issues into decision briefs and clear communication
• you are curious, solution-oriented and able to see opportunities beyond existing organizational boundaries
• you thrive in change and can help develop and implement new solutions
• you 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.
• you 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 Mail: [email protected] or tel: + 45 2565 9231.

Salary and terms

Employment is as a senior consultant with personnel responsibility under the applicable collective agreement between the Ministry of Finance and Akademikerne, including Protocol on special consultants and senior consultants on the new salary system and Protocol on senior consultants with personnel leadership. There will be opportunities for negotiation of supplements based on qualifications. You can read more about state salary levels on this page. This is a permanent full-time position.

Expected start date is January 1, 2027 or as soon as possible thereafter.

We plan to hold 1st interviews on November 2 and 2nd interviews on November 13. In connection with the 2nd interviews there will be a personality test and a case.

Application

If you are interested in the position, you must submit an electronic application accompanied by a CV and diploma via the Job Portal on the university’s website (click the link "Apply for the position" at the bottom of the posting), so that we have it no later than October 25, 2026 at 23:59.

The University of Copenhagen wishes to reflect the surrounding society and therefore encourages all regardless of personal background to apply for the position.

The University of Copenhagen offers its nearly 10,000 employees opportunities to fully utilize their talents in an ambitious, informal environment. We ensure traditional and modern frameworks for education and free research at a high international level. We seek answers and solutions to common problems and make new knowledge accessible and useful for others.

Info

Application deadline: 25-10-2026

Start date: 01-01-2027

Working hours: Full-time

Department/Location: Department of Clinical Medicine