If you are an individual with management and leadership experience in the private or public sector, in a national, EU or international organisation and are interested in joining a dynamic, expanding organisation, then this job could be for you. ECHA launched its new organisational structure in March 2026 and this introduced operational directorates addressing delivery of our chemicals mandate; corporate services, administration and IT. We also established a new directorate on data services to further enhance our data capabilities and deliverables in line with strategic goals and technological advances. The person appointed as a Director will be initially assigned to one of ECHAs operational Directorates, however, the role may change as business and strategic requirements evolve.<\/p>\n
2.Key responsibilities
\nTo establish the reserve list, we are looking for enthusiastic, dynamic and highly skilled leaders who are experienced in fundamental management responsibilities and are capable of working at senior and management board levels. The successful candidates will demonstrate sound judgement in complex situations, a collaborative leadership style, and the capacity to guide and implement change with confidence and clarity. The individuals we are looking for also have broad experience relevant to either corporate (finance, people and organisational management, data management, digital and IT technologies) or operational (chemicals or environmental management, involving the use of scientific advice in a policy or regulatory context) functions. A Director can be recruited from the reserve list to serve in different areas under ECHAs remit or may be required to take up different roles at the senior management level over time. In the application form you will be requested to choose the profile that suits best your skills and experience \u2013 either corporate or operational. <\/p>\n
We cannot accept simultaneous applications for both profiles, nor would you be able to change your choice during the selection process. <\/p>\n
The ideal candidate will understand the business of the Agency, possess the necessary vision and communicate it clearly, are open to different points of view and engage others in the forming of the vision. The expectation is that the Director will play a key role in leading and adapting the Agency in line with strategic vision and goals and driven by existing and new EU policies and challenges. The Director, reporting to the Executive Director, will be a member of ECHAs senior management team, responsible for ensuring the effective overall management of the Agency, and will be responsible for managing and leading one of the Directorates and coordinating the achievement of its objectives within the framework of the overall strategic planning of the Agency. <\/p>\n
Shared responsibilities for Corporate and Operational Director profiles: <\/p>\n
As a member of the senior management team of the Agency, ensure constructive
\ncooperation and communication with other Directors and Directorates; <\/p>\n
Manage the (multi)annual planning, corporate identity, stakeholder engagement,
\noverall governance and decision-making in alignment with the Agency’s strategy,
\npriorities and policies; <\/p>\n
Promote collaboration and engagement with internal and external stakeholders,
\nincluding but not limited to the European Institutions (Commission, Parliament, Council
\nand Court of Auditors) and other European Agencies on matters related to ECHAs
\nmandate; <\/p>\n
Ensure sound financial management, in accordance with the financial regulation of the
\nAgency, coordinate budget forecasting and monitoring of budget execution, and
\nensure timely procurement of necessary services, in accordance with public
\nprocurement procedures; <\/p>\n
Manage the resourcing through planning, organisation, performance parameters,
\nflexible deployment, prioritization, capable balancing of opportunities and constraints,
\nin line with the overall strategic planning framework of the Agency; <\/p>\n
Determine the staffing requirements, participate in the selection of personnel and
\nensure sound and continuous professional development, including learning activities,
\nknowledge sharing and mobility of staff; <\/p>\n
Ensure the achievement of deliverables according to required deadlines and quality
\nstandards, and monitor, evaluate and regularly report on progress; <\/p>\n
Determine the working procedures in line with the Agency’s Quality Management
\nSystem and, in coordination with the Executive Director, the delegation of
\nresponsibilities and their compliance; <\/p>\n
Ensure solid management of organisational preparedness to address security and
\nbusiness continuity risks; <\/p>\n
Handle external requests for information, including requests from other European
\nInstitutions, European Commission services, International Bodies, Member States and
\nthe general public. <\/p>\n
Lead innovation and transformation initiatives to respond to changing external policy,
\nnew technologies and stakeholder demands. <\/p>\n
Unique responsibilities of an Operational Director profile: <\/p>\n
Ensure that policy and regulatory requirements stemming from ECHAs mandate in
\nchemicals management are translated into processes and outputs in line with with the
\nAgencys strategy and policies, the (multi)annual planning, stakeholder engagement,
\noverall governance and decision-making; <\/p>\n
Ensure strategic decision-making based on robust data analysis and advanced
\nexpertise in regulatory science, resulting in scientifically sound and legally compliant
\noutcomes. <\/p>\n
Unique responsibilities of a Corporate Director profile: <\/p>\n
Ensure the adequate planning, implementing and reporting of the Agencys financial
\nand human resources and their correct allocation over the different activities and
\nregulations assigned to the Agency as well as providing safe and healthy facilities for
\nstaff and stakeholders that are cost efficient and serve the needs of a hybrid work
\nenvironment; <\/p>\n
Ensure efficient delivery and operations of ECHAs digital applications and services.
\nManage the Digital and IT strategy, medium to long-term planning, IT sourcing
\nstrategy, partnerships and cooperation in the IT domain with other EU Agencies and
\nthe European Commissions IT services, IT related policies, IT security and
\nInformation security management as well as IT governance.
\n<\/p>\n