General Manager

Centro Nacional de Análisis Genómico (CNAG); Barcelona; Presencial; EUR 110.000 - 125.000; Jornada completa

Descripción de la vacante

A leading genomic research center in Barcelona is seeking a General Manager to lead administrative management. The role requires strong leadership, management skills, and experience in scientific organizations. Candidates should have excellent communication skills in Spanish, Catalan, and English, and a higher university degree. Competitive salary and benefits are offered.

Servicios

Job stability

Professional development

Participation in high-impact scientific projects

Formación

• Minimum 5 years of management experience in a research or scientific organization.
• Demonstrated strong leadership and management skills.
• Experience in public procurement and sales tenders is a plus.

Responsabilidades

• Support the Director and contribute to policy and budget planning.
• Direct leadership and oversight of administrative and financial activities.
• Ensure compliance with legal regulations.

Conocimientos

Leadership

Management skills

Communication in Spanish, Catalan, and English

Educación

Higher university degree

Postgraduate training in Public Management or Project Management

MBA or similar

Herramientas

Digital management tools

Descripción del empleo

Publication Date: 20/10/2025

Location: Barcelona

Contract type: Full-time permanent

The Centro Nacional de Análisis Genómico (CNAG) is one of the largest genomic sequencing centers in Europe.

CNAG is a non-profit public consortium formed by the General State Administration through the Ministry of Science, Research and Universities (MICIU) and the Government of Catalonia (CG).

CNAG carries out genome sequencing and analysis projects in diverse areas such as human disease (cancer, rare diseases, immune-mediated diseases), microbial genomics, biodiversity, evolutionary studies, and the improvement of species of agricultural/livestock interest. Our organization contributes to strengthening the life sciences ecosystem at both national and international levels, participating in Catalan, Spanish, European and global initiatives aimed at breaking the barriers of current knowledge and building new solutions with international reach.

We participate in major international genomic initiatives such as the Human Cell Atlas (HCA), the International Cancer Genome Consortium (ICGC), the International Human Epigenome Consortium (iHEC), the International Rare Diseases Research Consortium (IRDiRC), the European Reference Genome Atlas (ERGA), and the European Life Sciences Information Infrastructure (ELIXIR).

CNAG´s annual turnover is more than 12 million Euros.

The Role

The General Manager will lead the administrative management area of the center, with direct responsibility over the Finance, Human Resources, Communication, and IT departments. The role includes liaison with the center’s leadership and strategic funders, continuous process improvement, and team supervision.

This position requires solid experience in institutional management, leadership of multidisciplinary teams, and administration of public resources. It is key to ensuring the efficient operation of the center to achieve the strategic objectives defined by the administration.

Responsibilities

• Support the Director and contribute to the development of the overall policy, strategic and budget planning, enabling and translating the operational and scientific vision, and strategic goals into an operational strategy.
• Direct and coordinate the administrative, financial, and operational activities of the center.
• Direct leadership and oversight of Finance and Purchasing, Human Resources, Health and Safety, Communication, Legal, and IT information Systems.
• Economic, accounting and budgetary management. Management of funds received, preparation of annual budgets and accounts, as well as preparation of annual financial reports and processing of justifications to the different institutions.
• Administration and safeguarding of CNAG ́s assets (both financial and physical assets, including facilities and equipment).
• Design, update, and standardize internal management procedures.
• Promote digitization, traceability, and operational efficiency in the area.
• Regulatory Affairs: Ensure compliance with applicable legal regulation.
• Oversee the execution of scientific and technological projects.
• Represent the center in front of public, private, and academic institutions, public and private funders, as well as internal governing bodies.
• Collaborate closely with Management, Legal Counsel, Principal Investigators, and other key areas of the organization.
• Promote innovation policies, technology transfer, and inter-institutional collaboration.
• Lead technical and administrative teams, fostering a collaborative and ethical work environment.

Requirements

• Dynamic and clear manager with demonstrated strong leadership, management skills and aptitude in handling of complex projects.
• Extensive management experience (minimum 5 years), preferably in an (international) research or scientific organization.
• Proven track record in leading and managing multi-functional teams in a multidisciplinary and multi-cultural environment.
• Experience in reporting and formulating policies for submission to governing bodies and in their implementation and tracking.
• Strong communication skills in Spanish, Catalan and English.

Education:

• Higher university degree (preferably in Business Administration, Law, Public Administration, or related fields).
• Postgraduate training in Public Management, Project Management, or Scientific Administration is desirable.
• MBA or similar will be an advantage.
• Alternatively, a University degree in Life Sciences/related discipline plus MBA.

Experience:

• Minimum of 5 years’ experience in managing public scientific, technological, or academic institutions.
• Experience in leading technical teams and managing public funding calls.
• Previous experience in public procurement and sales tenders procedures is a plus.

Knowledge:

• In-depth knowledge of the administrative and accounting rules for Spanish and Catalan public institutions.
• Experience with both the Spanish and Catalan public procurement regulations.
• Budget management.
• Proficiency in digital management tools.
• High level of English, fluent spoken and written (especially technical and administrative); high level of Spanish and Catalan is highly desirable.

Competencies:

• Leadership and strategic vision.
• Capacity to translate the strategic plan into an operational plan that is measurable and achievable with the available resources.
• Organizational skills and results orientation.
• Technical rigor and regulatory compliance orientation.
• Excellent communication and negotiation skills.
• Collaborative work and interdepartmental coordination capacity.
• Adaptability and proactivity.

The Offer

You would be joining a prestigious Research Institution and Public organization with job stability, professional development, as well as participation in high-impact scientific and social projects.

Contract Duration: Permanent

Estimated Gross Annual Salary: Competitive salary based on qualifications and consistent with public salary scales.

Start Date: January 2026

Application Procedure

All applications must include:

• A complete CV with contact details.
• Contact details of two referees.

Applications should be sent via email, including the CV, to: [e-mail]

Subject line: General Manager application

Deadline: Please submit your application by 30/11/2025

Selection Process

Pre-selection: The pre-selection process will be based on qualifications and expertise reflected on the candidates CVs. It will be merit-based.

Interview: Pre-selected candidates will be invited to an in-person interview at CNAG.

See all our job openings in the “Jobs” section of the CNAG website: https://www.cnag.eu/jobs

# sequencing for a better life