Head of Operations of the Novo Nordisk Foundation CO2 Center

Aarhus University is seeking a Head of Operations (CoO) to The Novo Nordisk Foundation CO2 Research Center (CORC).

CORC is a mission‐oriented research center to develop novel science and early technologies for capture and conversion of CO2 for storage or utilization to replace fossil carbon-based processes with sustainable, CO2‐based technologies.

The ambition of CORC is to be recognized among the very top international science and technology centers for mitigating CO2‐based climate change.

To ensure growth of CORC, there is a need to build up more leadership, and we are, therefore, looking for a Head of Operations who, can work with the Executive Director, leading the further development of CORC.

CORC is based with its hub at Aarhus University and satellite institutions at the University of Copenhagen, Technical University of Denmark, Stanford University, Potsdam Institute for Climate Impact Research and Eberhard Karls University of Tübingen and interim satellite institutions.

The position is available from September 1 2024 or as soon possible hereafter.

The Management organization at CORC
The overall strategic responsibility for CORC is anchored in a Governing board. Board members are: AU Rector, Deans of Nat and Tech, NNF representative and the Head of Operations and Executive Director of CORC. The Board approves the overall strategic direction and makes the final decisions on critical matters concerning the future development of CORC, e.g., organizational changes, recruitment for leadership positions and critical financial dispositions.

The top management of CORC will, in a future-adjusted management-organization, consist of the Executive Director, to whom the Head of Operations reports.

Your responsibilities
As Head of Operations, you will have the responsibility for all staff members at CORC's team and secretariat. Together with the Executive director you will set and develop CORC’s vision, culture, and identity and take co-responsibility for CORC's mission by creating and maintaining interdisciplinary collaboration at departmental, faculty and university level as well as nationally and internationally.

As Head of Operations, you will, together with the Executive director, be responsible for the further development of the CORC team and secretariat to ensure the sufficient ressources, competences and the culture necessary to ensure further development/ growth of the organization.

You will also have the primary responsibility for:

• Implementing the by the Board decided financial dispositions for the Center, in coordination with the Executive director
• reporting to NNF and coordinating with relevant support offices / actors at AU
• managing the CORC team with responsibility of supporting the operation of the Center.
• building and maintaining relationships with AU Departments/Head of Departments

You will be the AU-internal representative of the Center, and under the authority of the AU rector and the dean of the Faculty of Natural Sciences and the dean of the Faculty of Technical Sciences, in AU matters, you will be in charge of the academic, financial and personnel-related matters, including the planning and allocation of job responsibilities.

Your leadership style and personality

• You are a motivational and unifying leader who understands how to manage a complex organisation with many stakeholders to make an impact.
• You are visionary and strategic, with an eye for the needs to fulfil CORC’s mission.
• You generate synergy and you are a strong bridge-builder across disciplines and in close collaboration with AU Departments and the outside world.
• You are skilled at creating a good collaborative environment and strengthening collaboration across the organisation.
• You can create a collaborative environment amongst both academic and administrative employees at CORC.
• You communicate clearly and credibly with respect for others and have a clear and involving leadership style.
• You are a loyal management colleague and team player, and you are aware of your personal responsibilities and authority.

Your experience and academic competences
Applicants should have a strong academic background preferable as full professor or associate professor.

• You have several years of management experience from the university or industry sector, including work experience abroad.
• You have demonstrated abilities with people management, preferably in a Scandinavian context.
• You have a strong national and international network within CORC’s area of research and collaborative activities.
• You have an understanding of national and international trends in the subject areas at CORC.
• You have demonstrated abilities to communicate internally and externally with stakeholders.
• You have the ability to work on strategic management via fundraising, recruitment and conveying CORC to stakeholders.
• You speak and write Danish and English well, as the working language at CORC is primarily English.
• You are an active listener and very open to cultural differences, as CORC is a diverse organization.
• AU has a specific focus on gender equality and diversity, and it is expected that you in your visions and actions for CORC shares this focus in order to attract and develop a broad and diverse group of talents.

For further information, please contact
Dean Eskild Holm
Phone: +45 21 22 95 11
Email: [email protected]

Dean Birgit Schiøtt
Phone: +45 29 82 68 82
Email: [email protected]

Application deadline: July 10 2024

Place of work
The place of work is Gustav Wieds Vej 10C, 8000 Aarhus C.

Formalities and salary range
Salary and terms as agreed between the Danish Ministry of Taxation and the Confederation of Professional Union in a position as senior consultant with staff management responsibilities
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The employment is a fixed-term appointment in accordance with the principles in the circular on limited tenure in the Danish state. The tenure is for three to six years and with the option of extension for up to a further three years.

An agreement on a scientific fallback employment option is possible.

Aarhus University’s ambition is to be an attractive and inspiring workplace for all and to foster a culture in which each individual has opportunities to thrive, achieve and develop. We view equality and diversity as assets, and we welcome all applicants.

The application must be submitted via Aarhus University’s recruitment system, which can be accessed under the job advertisement on Aarhus University's website.

Aarhus University
Aarhus University is an academically diverse and research-intensive university with a strong commitment to high-quality research and education and the development of society nationally and globally. The university offers an inspiring research and teaching environment to its 38,000 students (FTEs) and 8,300 employees, and has an annual revenues of EUR 935 million. Learn more at www.international.au.dk/

Department: NNF CO2 Research Center/

Deadline: 10 July 2024

Location: Aarhus C Gustav Wieds Vej 10C