EPFL faces major challenges in Information System management. The EPFL Information Systems Directorate (DSI) is responsible for implementing EPFL’s digital strategy. These missions include, through a combination of direct and matrix responsibilities, the development and implementation of EPFL’s IT strategy and master plan, the digitalisation of business processes, IT security, management of central IT infrastructures, management of core business applications, as well as coordination with the IT services of the Faculties.

The "Information Systems for Academic Services" (ISAS) department is at the heart of the value creation of EPFL’s Information System and its evolutions. The teams collaborate with EPFL’s business units to analyse needs, develop, enrich and consolidate IT solutions while maintaining their stability. They also advise on the potential impact of solutions on business processes and propose process improvements based on standard market solutions or, more rarely, on specific solutions.

As Head of IT Unit for Education & Project Manager for Academic ERP Migration for our ISAS-GIF unit, you are responsible for a team in charge of IT tools intended for study management and ensure they meet the needs of the student, teaching, doctoral and especially academic staff bodies. You work in close collaboration with the entire Vice-Presidency for Education (Academic), as well as with partners of third-party application maintenance. You are also responsible for the current EPFL Academic ERP migration project.

In these roles, you have a strategic role in defining and executing the School’s IT strategy related to the Education domain. In this area, you manage all assigned projects and services in all aspects: human and financial resources, quality, reporting and governance. Together with your team, your fellow unit heads, service heads, and especially with the Vice-Presidencies concerned with the domain, you actively contribute to EPFL’s operational excellence.

Main tasks and responsibilities as Head of Unit:

• Supervise and lead the unit: coordinate and manage staff, control activities. Develop expertise. Ensure maintenance of the skills map and alignment of the unit’s skills with the needs and evolution of the IS.
• Plan the workload of your team. Monitor, report, and produce dashboards for management and partners.
• Continuously manage the unit’s financial management and annual budget forecasting, in compliance with procedures.
• Ensure coherence of projects or services within your scope of responsibility.
• Work jointly with business partners and the VPO (Vice-Presidency for Operations) teams to establish digitalisation project roadmaps.
• Set objectives for the unit, monitor and periodically review them. Implement management decisions and actively participate in talent development.
• Recruit unit staff and/or contractors.
• Lead projects or a programme of projects related to developments within the ISAS-GIF scope.
• Monitor the contract related to the current Education ERP with the company responsible for third-party application maintenance.

As Project Manager for Academic ERP Migration:

• Ensure coordination of the various developments of the Education ERP.
• Manage, with partners from the tender process, the development and deployment of the Education ERP for EPFL entities.
• Manage the evolution of the Education ERP and interactions with other IT applications for training.
• Monitor contracts related to the new educational information system under development with companies responsible for development and future third-party application maintenance.
• Manage relationships with suppliers and external contractors.
• Manage the lifecycle of the Education ERP and the functional and technical roadmap.
• Ensure compliance with management, documentation and security standards according to EPFL’s requirements.
• Personally participate and/or ensure through the unit the development, maintenance of various software programmes, interfaces, and manage necessary updates for their operation.
• Write or contribute to deliverables (cost estimates, planning, general and detailed specifications), facilitate steering committees. Participate in committees related to Education programmes.

• University degree or equivalent in computer science or engineering (Master’s level), or professional background justifying experience in the role.
• 10+ years proven experience in team management.
• 5+ years proven experience in managing third-party application maintenance or outsourcing.
• French (minimum C1).
• English (minimum C1).
• Excellent synthesis and simplification skills, very good writing skills in English and French.
• Proven experience in web solution architecture with a strong focus on recent development standards.
• Extensive experience in budget establishment and management.
• Proven experience in delivering complex IT projects.
• Proven experience in conducting and realising tenders.
• Strong sensitivity to cybersecurity and data protection.
• Experience and sensitivity to contract negotiation.
• Agile and/or project management certification, HERMES is a plus.
• ITIL certification is a plus.

Personal and social skills:

• Solution and client-oriented, strong service mindset, seeking dialogue while having and defending convictions, very good communication skills.
• Ability to manage multiple priorities under pressure with a range of stakeholders and high stress resistance.
• Rigor, precision, proactivity.
• Decision-making and accountability.
• Autonomy and sense of responsibility.
• Mentoring and coaching qualities.
• Comfortable presenting in English and French, whether in steering committees, before peers, or counterparts in other companies.

Female applications are strongly encouraged.

• The opportunity to join a dynamic and stimulating team
• A quality multicultural and academic working environment
• Opportunities for continuous training
• An involvement at the heart of EPFL’s Information System

Notes:

• The employee may be required to work occasionally in the evening or at weekends.
• The employee may be required to provide occasional on-call service.

Only complete applications will be considered. Please include:

• A personal cover letter
• A CV
• Copies of work certificates,
• Copies of diplomas,
• Copies of certifications (if applicable).

Starting date: As soon as possible, after 1 September 2026

Minimum workload: 100%

Maximum workload: 100%

Contract type: Permanent contract

Duration: not applicable

Reference: 2320