Director: Department of Applied Linguistics and Member of the University Management

Director: Department of Applied Linguistics and Member of the University Management

Do you see digitalization as an opportunity and want to actively shape the change? Can you develop visions and strategies and translate them into effective actions with all stakeholders? Then you are exactly right with us!

Department: Applied Linguistics

Start of work: From November 2026 or by arrangement

In this key position, you are responsible together with the department management for the strategic development and operational management of the Department of Applied Linguistics. You bear overall responsibility in the four areas of teaching, continuing education, research, and services. Your tasks also include representation and networking internally and externally, the latter both nationally and internationally. As a member of the university management, you contribute to the development of the entire ZHAW, advocate for its interests and concerns, and take on leadership and representative tasks for the entire university.

We are looking for an integrative personality with several years of practical experience in a professional field relevant to applied linguistics as well as successful activity in a demanding leadership role, ideally in an expert organization. You bring proven expertise in a field relevant to the Department of Applied Linguistics, think and act entrepreneurially, and are well acquainted with both the educational landscape and the professional fields.

For this demanding position, you have knowledge in strategic and operational management as well as experience in personnel and financial leadership of a large organizational unit. You have a university degree with a doctorate as well as experience in teaching and research at the university level. You are characterized by pronounced presentation skills and excellent communication abilities in German and English.

We gladly accept applications until September 25, 2025, via our online form.

The ZHAW Zurich University of Applied Sciences, with over 14,000 students and over 11,000 continuing education participants as well as around 3,700 employees, is one of the largest multi-disciplinary universities of applied sciences in Switzerland.

The Department of Applied Linguistics is the only linguistic department at a Swiss university of applied sciences and one of the largest in Europe. It deals with central questions from the fields of language, communication, and media with the aim of making applied linguistics usable for business and society.

ZHAW pursues an integrative gender approach and aims to increase the proportion of women in leadership positions. Applications from women are therefore particularly welcome.

We offer university-appropriate working and employment conditions and actively promote the personnel development of our employees and leaders. A detailed description of the benefits can be found on the "Working at ZHAW" website. Here are the main points:

Armin Dittli

Head of Human Resources