Director of Institutional Security at UNIL

Introduction

A leading international teaching and research institution, UNIL has more than 5,000 staff members and 18,000 students, distributed between the Dorigny campus and the CHUV and Epalinges sites.

As an employer, UNIL promotes excellence, recognition of individuals, responsibility, and the development of an open, respectful, and stimulating working environment.

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Presentation

To address these challenges at the highest level of the institution, the University of Lausanne is seeking its future:

Director of Institutional Security at UNIL

Reporting to the University Management, the incumbent ensures the strategic and operational leadership of UniSEP, the service responsible for institutional health, safety, and security issues. Leading a team of around 30 staff members, they define and promote an integrated institutional vision of security, advise the Management in its decisions, and guarantee the coherence of the measures deployed across the University. This executive role requires strong leadership, anticipation, and influence skills, as well as the ability to operate in complex and sensitive environments, particularly in crisis situations.

Job Information

Start date: to be agreed

Contract duration: Permanent

Work rate: 100%

Workplace: Lausanne, UNIL campus, Mouline annex

Your Responsibilities

As Director of Institutional Security, you define and implement, in close collaboration with the University Management, the institutional strategy regarding health, safety, and security. You play a central role in advising, steering, and coordinating, ensuring the coherence of security measures and their alignment with the University’s strategic priorities.

In particular, you will be expected to:

• Provide strategic and managerial leadership of UniSEP by defining the service’s priorities, organisation, objectives, and allocation of human and financial resources;
• Design and propose to Management the institutional strategy on health, safety, and security, then oversee its implementation and development;
• Advise Management and the various governance bodies of UNIL on strategic, organisational, regulatory, and operational security issues;
• Ensure comprehensive, coherent, and integrated security governance, covering occupational and study health, personal and property safety, security, fire protection, and coordination with information security governance;
• Develop an institutional approach to risk management, define prevention priorities, and propose appropriate measures based on identified risks;
• Anticipate changes in threats, risks, technologies, and regulatory requirements to enable the University to continuously adapt its measures;
• Lead the preparation and management of sensitive or crisis situations, in coordination with Management and various internal and external stakeholders;
• Actively participate in the University Management’s permanent crisis prevention unit;
• Structure and develop the institutional security network and strengthen coordination between faculties, services, and partner entities of the University;
• Ensure the availability of necessary expertise in the various fields under UniSEP and oversee the development of skills among institutional actors;
• Ensure compliance with legal, regulatory, and institutional requirements within UniSEP’s scope;
• Represent the University, on behalf of Management, with competent authorities and external partners at cantonal and federal levels;
• Develop and maintain a high-level partner network, notably with security authorities, emergency organisations, public institutions, and academic and specialised partners;
• Manage the service’s finances, budget control, reporting, and evaluation of resources necessary to fulfil its missions.

Your Profile

For this key strategic role, we are looking for a personality recognised for leadership, vision, and the ability to unite around complex and cross-cutting challenges.

You have:

• A university Master’s degree or equivalent qualification;
• At least 8 years of proven experience leading an entity within a large-scale public or private organisation, including managing multidisciplinary teams;
• At least 5 years of significant experience in crisis and complex or sensitive situation management;
• At least 5 years of confirmed professional experience in one of the fields related to health, safety, security, or risk management;
• Strong experience in strategic, organisational, and financial management of an entity;
• Excellent ability to combine strategic vision with operational reality, set priorities, and translate institutional directions into concrete measures;
• Deep understanding of institutional operations and public service, as well as relations with authorities and external partners;
• Strong skills in risk analysis, prevention, incident management, emergency planning, and crisis management;
• Proven ability to lead change, unite teams and partners around common goals, and develop a culture of cross-functional collaboration;
• Excellent communication, negotiation, and representation skills, including in high-stakes situations;
• High sense of responsibility, confidentiality, and ethics;
• Strong analytical, judgement, and decision-making skills;
• Leadership style based on listening, diplomacy, ability to build consensus, and, when necessary, to decide and act decisively;
• English proficiency at least at B2 level is desired;
• Certified continuing education in management, as well as good knowledge of cantonal and federal legal frameworks related to health, safety, and security, are important assets.

We Offer You

Joining the University of Lausanne in this role means taking on a leading institutional responsibility within a demanding, diverse, and stimulating academic environment.

We offer you in particular:

• A strategic role with strong institutional visibility and a direct link to University Management;
• The opportunity to define and develop the overall security policy of a major institution;
• A working environment where security, health, prevention, and risk management are key concerns;
• Leadership of a multidisciplinary team with specialised skills;
• Regular interactions with faculties, services, cantonal and federal authorities, and many external partners;
• An international, multicultural, and constantly evolving academic environment;
• Opportunities for continuing education and attractive working conditions offered by the University of Lausanne.

For Further Information

Mr Nils Panchaud
Vice-Rector, Campus and Digital Transformations
Tel: 021 692 20 60 (secretariat)
nils.panchaud@unil.ch

Your Application File

Application deadline: 13.11.2026

Please send us your complete application file (detailed CV, cover letter, copies of diplomas and certificates preferably in a single Word or PDF file). Only applications submitted via this site will be considered.

Thank you for your understanding.

Job Description

Click here to view the job description.

Remarks

UNIL is committed to:
• Equality, diversity, and inclusion within its community;
• Ensuring an open, respectful environment conducive to personal development;
• Providing working conditions favourable to balancing different spheres of life.

To increase the number of women in leadership positions, female applications are particularly encouraged.

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