President, Aalto University

Aalto University; Espoo; On-site; EUR 350,000 - 450,000; Full time

Job summary

Aalto University invites applications for the role of President. You will lead the university into its next chapter, translating long-term vision into clear priorities and actions, and driving measurable progress with the engagement of the community.

You will oversee research, education and societal impact, and build strategic partnerships and funding to sustain excellence and innovation across disciplines.

Qualifications

• Experience leading a large, multidisciplinary, multicultural organization.
• Proven track record in strategic planning and delivering measurable outcomes.
• Strong ethical standards and credibility in academia and public policy.

Responsibilities

• Define vision and strategy to advance Aalto as an innovative, internationally distinguished university.
• Provide institutional leadership with accountability for performance, resilience and finances.
• Represent Aalto domestically and internationally, engaging with government and partners.
• Deepen partnerships, fundraising, and foundation endowment to support strategic priorities.

Skills

Strategic leadership

Vision articulation

Communication skills

Academic leadership

Fundraising / donor engagement

Education

Doctoral degree (PhD or equivalent)

Job description

At Aalto University, curiosity moves across disciplines, roles and communities. We bring science, art, technology and business together to shape a sustainable future. Our work is rooted in responsibility, courage and collaboration. We ask new questions, challenge familiar thinking and turn ideas into impact.

Aalto University is looking for a President.

In this role, you will lead Aalto into its next chapter, turn long-term vision into clear priorities, focused action and measurable progress. You will, together with the entire community, move the university towards ever greater international distinction.

As President, you will contribute to positioning Aalto as one of Europe’s most innovative and entrepreneurial universities, fully leveraging its unique combination of science, art, technology and business to create new knowledge, talent and societal value.

Your work will include:

• Defining the vision and strategy to drive Aalto forward as a highly original, attractive and innovative academic institution shaping a sustainable future for Finland and the world.
• Creating the conditions in which excellence in research, artistic work, education, societal impact and multidisciplinary collaboration can flourish.
• Providing the institutional and operational leadership Aalto needs to fulfil its purpose, with accountability for the university’s overall performance, organisational resilience, financial continuity and service to Finland.
• Anticipating the forces shaping higher education, research and society, including artificial intelligence and emerging technologies, and articulating a positive and impactful role for Aalto within them.
• Representing Aalto credibly in Finland and internationally, and strengthening its voice in higher education, research and innovation policy.
• Deepening strategic corporate partnerships and co‑created research, expanding private funding and philanthropy, and growing Aalto’s foundation endowment.

You will work closely with the Aalto University Foundation Board, the Provost and the university’s leadership team, faculty, staff, students and student organisations, as well as government, business, funders and international partners.

You will report to the Aalto University Foundation Board.

As a leader at Aalto, you will shape a culture where people can do meaningful work, grow and succeed together.

Our leadership is guided by value‑based principles rooted in responsibility, courage and collaboration.

As President, you will safeguard academic freedom, foster collegiality and shared governance, and build and empower a high‑performing leadership team that enables others to take initiative and act.

This is an exciting time to join us. More than fifteen years after the merger that created Aalto, you will inherit a strong institutional platform and a solid financial foundation.

You will have the opportunity to shape how the university responds to profound changes in higher education, research and society, from artificial intelligence and emerging technologies to sustainability and geopolitical change.

The President is appointed for a five-year term, with the possibility of reappointment for a second term. The remuneration and other terms of appointment will be agreed upon with the selected candidate.

What you bring

To thrive in this role, you will need:

• The ability to translate an ambitious long-term vision into clear priorities, effective execution and measurable progress, supported by sound institutional and financial judgement.
• Significant leadership experience gained within a sizeable, complex and multicultural organisation, or compelling evidence of readiness to operate successfully at this level.
• A consultative, decisive and empowering leadership style, grounded in high ethical standards and genuine enthusiasm for Aalto’s purpose and its unique combination of disciplines.
• A doctoral degree (PhD or equivalent) and a proven track record of excellence in academic research, combined with a clear understanding of what constitutes world‑class research and education.
• The credibility and communication skills to represent Aalto persuasively in Finland and internationally, and to build trusted relationships across government, academia, business and wider society.

We also value:

• An entrepreneurial mindset and the technological fluency to judge what matters and place technological change in its wider economic, societal and geopolitical context.
• Experience of fundraising, donor engagement or endowment development, or strong motivation and potential in these areas.
• Knowledge of the Finnish higher education, research and political landscape, or the ability to develop this understanding and establish credibility quickly.

Language requirements

• English: Fluency in English is required.
• Finnish/Swedish: Finnish and/or Swedish language skills are important for success in the role and effective engagement with key stakeholders.

What we offer

At Aalto, you can expect:

• The opportunity to lead a young, world‑class university where science, art, technology and business meet, and to shape its next chapter.
• Work with purpose in a community where research, education, creativity and services support meaningful change.
• A multidisciplinary environment where collaboration, curiosity and new thinking are part of everyday work.
• Work‑life balance and well‑being in all aspects of life are important to us at Aalto.

Explore our working environment here: Welcome to Aalto University Campus.

Aalto University will be supported in this appointment process by the executive search firm Perrett Laver.

Informal enquiries can be made directly to Tiziano Sartor ([e-mail]).

Further information about the role and University can be found via Aalto University - Appointment of President.

The application deadline is Monday, 23 November 2026 at 23.59 Finnish time, (UTC+2).

Aalto University is committed to a transparent and fair recruitment process.

We are welcome to request feedback during or after the recruitment process.

Please note: As this is a position of significant public interest, the names of all applicants will be published on the Aalto University’s website after the application period has closed.

About Aalto University

Aalto University builds on the legacy of three leading Finnish universities: Helsinki University of Technology, Helsinki School of Economics and the University of Art and Design Helsinki.

Since 2010, we have brought science, art, technology and business together in new ways.

Today, the Aalto community consists of 16,000 students and 5,200 employees, including 446 professors.

Half of our faculty members have an international background.

Our campus in Espoo is a vibrant cluster of research and innovation with striking architecture, peaceful nature, open spaces for collaboration, and a wide range of services, all with excellent public transport connections.

Diversity is part of who we are. We work actively to build a community where people can belong, contribute and grow.

More about Aalto University: Aalto.fi youtube.com/user/aaltouniversity linkedin.com/school/aalto-university/ www.facebook.com/aaltouniversity instagram.com/aaltouniversity

Aalto University is where science and art meet technology and business.

We shape a sustainable future by making research breakthroughs in and across our disciplines, sparking the game changers of tomorrow and creating novel solutions to major global challenges.

Our community is made up of 16 000 students and 5 200 employees, including 446 professors, working on our dynamic campus in Espoo, Greater Helsinki, Finland.

Diversity is part of who we are, and we actively work to ensure our community’s diversity and inclusiveness.

This is why we warmly encourage qualified candidates from all backgrounds to join our community.