Co-Director ETH AI Center

The ETH AI Center is one of the largest AI centers in Europe with over 120 Professors from all 16 departments of ETH Zurich and over 1500 PhD students & post-docs. Our mission is to foster interdisciplinary AI research and pave the way from science to society. With the recently launched Swiss National AI Institute (SNAI) and its flagship project on large-scale AI foundation models, we aim to expand our leadership team.

You will oversee the core operations of the ETH AI Center and work closely with the Executive Director and Chairman in co-developing and executing the strategic vision with affiliated faculty and staff. You will ensure that the center’s resources are aligned with ETH Zurich and the center’s strategic goals and that its activities are effectively coordinated across research, education, and innovation programs.

• Lead and inspire a talented team of 20+ individuals to achieve innovation and growth.
• Manage the center’s financial and operational resources with high efficiency
• Collaborate with the Executive Director and support the Chairman in defining and executing the strategic vision and objectives for the ETH AI Center
• Secure funding through grants, sponsorships, and partnerships, and be the primary contact for the ETH Foundation
• Foster innovation by driving collaboration and leveraging synergies between the ETH AI Center and the Swiss National AI Institute, engaging with the researcher/industrial/start-up ecosystem
• Oversee the allocation of budgets, personnel, and shared resources across ETH AI Center teams, ensuring efficient coordination between Research & Center Operations, Innovation & Entrepreneurship, Outreach & Communications, and special projects
• Coordinate the deployment of shared personnel (e.g., Tech Leads, Research Engineers, Project Managers) to support multiple projects, balancing priorities and resolving conflicts
• Represent the ETH AI Center in national and international forums to promote its mission and impact

For this position, you will require the following skills:

• A PhD or equivalent advanced degree in computer science, engineering, science or mathematics, or related fields
• Proven leadership experience in academia, AI research institutions, industry, large multidisciplinary organizations with operational management responsibilities and strategic leadership skills
• Proven ability to execute on long-term goals while managing day-to-day operations effectively
• Proven ability for interdisciplinary collaboration and projects at the intersection of academia, entrepreneurship, and industry
• You have a proactive personality that inspires others with your ideas and your vision
• You are willing to make decisions and represent your views confidently, carefully, but also solution-oriented
•  You are integrative and involve a variety of stakeholders at the center and beyond
• Strong verbal and written communication skills both in English and German
• Exceptional communication and negotiation skills (in English and German) with a focus on creating pragmatic solutions
• A passion for fostering a positive team culture and work environment that encourages collaboration and empowers staff, students, and researchers alike

• Your career with impact: Become part of ETH Zurich, which not only supports your professional development, but also actively contributes to positive change in society.
• We are actively committed to a sustainable and climate-neutral university.
• You can expect numerous benefits, such as public transport season tickets and car sharing, a wide range of sports offered by the ASVZ, childcare and attractive pension benefits.