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

Would you like to contribute to developing the administrative engine of one of Copenhagen University’s largest institutes, closely tied to medical education, clinical research and the collaboration between the university and the healthcare system? The Institute for Clinical Medicine is seeking an experienced Secretariat Manager who can combine clear personnel leadership, organizational judgment and strong managerial support during a period of significant change.

The Institute for 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 Zealand, while the institute is an integral part of the Faculty of Health Sciences at the University of Copenhagen.

We are seeking a Secretariat Manager who can help ensure professional and coherent support for the institute leadership and at the same time actively contribute to the ongoing 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 leadership, which is setting a direction for IKM and developing collaboration across the institute. Here you will have a close proximity to decisions and an opportunity to contribute to a leadership culture characterized by openness, trust, clarity and responsibility close to the task.

You will have considerable leadership latitude and a real opportunity to influence the secretariat’s organization, forms of collaboration and priorities. Together with the staff, you will develop a joint secretariat where competencies are utilized across, 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 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 transition In the coming years, the institute faces significant changes. IKM appointed a new institute leader in spring 2026 and since then has had two new vice-institute leaders. The relatively new institute leadership is in the process of setting a direction for the institute, developing cross-institute collaboration and rethinking how the secretariat best supports core tasks. This occurs alongside the development of medical education, regionalization, the establishment of Region East, new collaboration platforms and changed frameworks for research, innovation and administration.

Secretariat The Secretariat consists of about 12 staff 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 for Clinical Medicine is part of the Faculty of Health Sciences. The workplace address is Blegdamsvej 3B, 2200 Copenhagen N.

The assignment As Secretariat Manager 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 personnel responsibility for the institute’s approximately 12 administrative staff and become a close sparring partner for the institute leader and three vice-institute leaders.

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

Among other things you must

• support the institute leader and the institute leadership strategically and operationally, including preparing decisions, creating overview and ensuring follow-up
• coordinate the daily task handling in the institute secretariat and contribute to clear priorities and a well-functioning cross-functional collaboration
• set clear direction for the secretariat and create good conditions 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 duties and at the same time contribute to the development of the administrative support for research, innovation and other activities
• serve as a central link between the institute leadership and relevant actors in 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 in a period of significant change.

The role is not only about administering existing processes. We are seeking a Secretariat Manager 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 education and experience in supporting leadership, personnel management and organizational development in a complex organization. Experience from the university world, healthcare or another politically or professionally diverse 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 the following

• you can move confidently between strategy and operations. You handle concrete issues when necessary, but you can also lift your gaze, identify connections and translate complexity into priorities, decisions and actions.
• you are an experienced and clear people leader who creates followership through direction, trust and genuine interest in the staff’s professionalism. You can lead through change, prioritize well-being and development and at the same time ensure that the secretariat’s tasks are performed 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 issues
• you can collaborate with many different professional disciplines 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 with 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 learn more about the position by contacting Genitor partner Martin Isenbecker at Mail: [email protected] or tel: +45 2565 9231.

Salary and terms of employment

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

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

We plan to hold first interviews on 2 November and second interviews on 13 November. For the second interviews, there will be a personality test and a case study.

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 "Søg stillingen" at the bottom of the posting) so that we have it no later than 25 October 2026 at 23:59.

Copenhagen University aims to reflect the surrounding society and therefore encourages everyone, regardless of personal background, to apply for the position.