Director General, European Centre for Medium Range Weather Forecasts

Four years with the possibility of renewal for a second contract of a maximum five years.

About ECMWF:

The European Centre for Medium-Range Weather Forecasts (ECMWF) is a world leader in Numerical Weather Predictions providing high-quality data for weather forecasts and environmental monitoring. As an intergovernmental organisation ECMWF collaborates internationally to provide global weather predictions, data and training activities that are critical to contribute to safe and thriving societies.

ECMWF’s success depends on the funding and partnerships of our 35 Member and Co-operating States who support and guide its work. Talented staff, collaboration with the international scientific community, and powerful supercomputing capabilities are at the core of a 24/7 research and operational centre with a focus on medium and long-range predictions. Additionally, ECMWF holds one of the largest meteorological data archives in the world.

ECMWF has also established a strong partnership with the European Union. It has been entrusted with the implementation and operation of the Destination Earth initiative and the Climate Change and Atmosphere Monitoring Services of the Copernicus Programme, as well as being a contributor to the Copernicus Emergency Management Service. Other areas of work include High Performance Computing and the development of digital tools that enable ECMWF to extend provision of data and products covering weather, climate, air quality, fire and flood prediction and monitoring.

With headquarters in Reading, UK, a data centre in Bologna, Italy, and a significant presence in Bonn, Germany, ECMWF is globally acknowledged as a leading authority in numerical weather predictions and climate science.

Scope of the Director General’s Role:

The Director-General of ECMWF is responsible for implementing the Council's policies and providing strategic leadership of the organisation's research and operational activities within the strategy and framework established by the Council. This role involves managing human, technical, and financial resources, and ensuring the application of relevant agreements and conventions. The ideal candidate will be a visionary leader with strong operational and strategic skills, capable of managing a complex, multisite organisation, and committed to an interdisciplinary approach.

Candidate Profile:

To be considered for this role, you will be able to show evidence that you are a proactive, forward-thinking leader who is used to building strong collaboration with stakeholders, challenging and building consensus, identifying new ways of working together. You will have the ability to develop a clear vision of the future of the organisation and to mobilise and motivate the organisation to implement this vision. You will have extensive experience in executive management and leadership roles, including a track record of managing in a complex, multisite organisation in an international environment. You will be renowned for your interdisciplinary, inclusive approach, creating a positive work environment that motivates staff and encourages high performance. You will have an exceptional level of scientific and personal integrity.

You will have a sufficiently deep understanding of ECMWF’s core activities in weather and climate to be able to manage the evolution of the Centre’s strategic plan and the delivery of its core mission. You will have ability to foster innovation and to transfer cutting-edge scientific and technological developments into products and to guarantee the highly reliable operation and evolution of complex, resilient and secure operational systems.

You will be able to demonstrate significant experience of negotiations with countries, international bodies, partners and stakeholders. In addition to this, you will have an outstanding ability to manage complex relationships, to build consensus and to foster collaboration to secure mutual benefit.

Finally, you will be a national of one of ECWMF’s Member or Co-operating States.

More information can be found here:

If you are interested to apply for the role, please send in your CV (CLICK APPLY). By submitting your application, you authorise Egon Zehnder to share your personal data with ECMWF for the purpose of candidate screening.