Executive Director

Helmholtz Association of German Research Centres; Deutschland; Vor Ort; EUR 120.000 - 180.000; Vollzeit

Benefits dieser Stelle

Global leadership role

Diverse international team

Public transport access

Training opportunities

Zusammenfassung

Helmholtz Association of German Research Centers seeks an Executive Director to lead the Global Coordination Hub for Future Earth. The role oversees a globally distributed Secretariat and coordinates with GERICS/Hereon and ASU, guiding strategic initiatives across nine hubs and policy-oriented collaborations.

The position requires a PhD in sustainability-related fields, proven international leadership, and strong governance and fundraising capabilities.

Qualifikationen

• PhD in sustainability science or closely related field.
• Strong international scientific credibility in sustainability science.
• Proven senior leadership experience in international multi-stakeholder organisations or networks.
• Experience with governance bodies and implementation of decisions.
• Experience coordinating teams across geographies, cultures and time zones.

Aufgaben

• Lead the strategic and scientific development of the Future Earth network overseen by the Governing Council, the decision-making body of Future Earth.
• Lead and develop the Global Coordination Hub at GERICS/Hereon and GFL/ASU.
• Coordinate the globally distributed Secretariat of Future Earth (9 Global hubs) and operationally lead the Global Coordination Hub.
• Coordinate collaboration with Global Research Networks and National/Regional Entities in alignment with Future Earth’s mission.
• Represent the Future Earth Network at external engagements.
• Engage with custodian organisations, partner organisations, funders and stakeholders.
• Support the Future Earth governing bodies.
• Ensure operations are aligned with Future Earth principles: inclusiveness, diversity, sustainability, transparency and impartiality.
• Lead resource mobilization to ensure the long-term financial sustainability of Future Earth.
• Oversee preparation of the Secretariat’s annual budget located at GERICS/Hereon

Kenntnisse

Strategic leadership

Global coordination

Stakeholder engagement

Governance experience

Communication skills

Ausbildung

PhD in sustainability science

Jobbeschreibung

Overview

Work group: Gerics - Climate Service Center

Area of research: Scientific / postdoctoral posts

Starting date: 16.07.2026

Job description: Executive Director

Reference code: 1041 - 2026/KG 4

Location: Hamburg / Germany

Application deadline: 08/30/2026

The Climate Service Center Germany (GERICS), a scientific organizational entity of the Helmholtz-Zentrum Hereon, invites applications for the Executive Director of the Global Coordination Hub for Future Earth. The position is limited to 5 years and the place of employment is Hamburg.

Equal opportunity is an important part of our personnel policy. In principle, the full-time position (39 h/week) is also sharable.

GERICS develops science-based prototype products and services to support government, administration and business in adapting to climate change. It builds a national and international network to integrate existing competences and knowledge and to link actors within the complex area of climate change.

The Global Coordination Hub is jointly hosted by GERICS/Hereon and the Julie Ann Wrigley Global Futures Laboratory at Arizona State University (ASU) as part of a shared hosting cooperation agreement. It seeks an Executive Director to lead the coordination of Future Earth’s globally distributed Secretariat (currently nine Global Hubs).

Future Earth is a global network advancing research to support transformations toward global sustainability. Its vision is a sustainable and equitable world where societal decisions are informed by openly accessible and shared knowledge.

Your tasks

• Lead the strategic and scientific development of the Future Earth network overseen by the Governing Council, the decision-making body of Future Earth
• Lead and develop the Global Coordination Hub at GERICS/Hereon and GFL/ASU
• Coordinate the globally distributed Secretariat of Future Earth (9 Global hubs) and operationally lead the Global Coordination Hub
• Coordinate collaboration with Global Research Networks and National/Regional Entities in alignment with Future Earth’s mission
• Represent the Future Earth Network at external engagements
• Engage with custodian organisations, partner organisations, funders and stakeholders
• Support the Future Earth governing bodies
• Ensure operations are aligned with Future Earth principles: inclusiveness, diversity, sustainability, transparency and impartiality
• Lead resource mobilization to ensure the long-term financial sustainability of Future Earth
• Oversee preparation of the Secretariat’s annual budget located at GERICS/Hereon

Your profile

• PhD in an area of sustainability science, Earth system science, science policy, or a closely related field
• Strong international scientific credibility in sustainability science or a related domain
• Proven senior leadership experience in complex, international and multi-stakeholder organisations or networks
• Experience working with governance bodies, including preparation of materials and implementation of decisions
• Experience coordinating teams across multiple geographies, cultures and time zones
• Demonstrated experience in partnership development across research, policy and societal actors
• Proven experience in resource mobilization and fundraising
• Experience overseeing financial planning, budgeting or financial reporting processes
• Excellent communication and representation skills in international contexts
• High level of interpersonal skills and ability to work across disciplines, sectors, cultures and geographies
• Fluency in English

Informal enquiries can be directed to Dr. Sebastian Sonntag ([e-mail]).

We offer you

• A unique opportunity to lead the coordination of a global research network at the forefront of sustainability science
• An exciting and varied job in a research centre with around 1,000 employees from more than 60 nations
• A well-connected research campus with public transport and subsidy for the Deutschlandticket if conditions are met
• Individual opportunities for further training
• Social benefits according to the collective agreement of the public service and remuneration up to pay group 14 according to TV EntgO Bund
• Excellent technical infrastructure and modern workplace equipment
• 6 weeks holiday per year; company holidays between Christmas and New Year’s Day
• Very good compatibility of private and professional life; mobile and flexible work options
• Free employee assistance program (EAP)
• Corporate benefits
• Office located in the heart of Hamburg in the historic Chilehaus

Severely disabled persons and those equally suitable for the position will be considered preferentially within legal requirements.

Interested? We are looking forward to receiving your application. Please use the application link from our homepage: https://jobs2.hereon.de/job/Executive-Director/1041-en_US

This research center is part of the Helmholtz Association of German Research Centers. With more than 42,000 employees and an annual budget of over € 5 billion, the Helmholtz Association is Germany’s largest scientific organisation.