Headway People, a leading direct sourcing specialist recruiting exclusively for the higher education, research and training sectors, is seeking a director for a prominent educational group based in Île-de-France:
Chief Executive Officer (F/M)
Activities :
Reporting to the Chairman of the Board of Directors (non-executive), the CEO leads the Executive Committee and holds the following primary responsibilities:
- Driving the implementation of the group's innovative and ambitious strategy
- Enhancing academic excellence and the distinction of the educational offerings
- Achieving economic performance in line with objectives
- Managing a multicultural staff and attracting, guiding, coaching, and rallying leaders/talents within the group
- Representing the Group externally to numerous academic and institutional stakeholders.
Specifically, the CEO is tasked with :
- Directing and overseeing the Group by animating its bodies
- Implementing the strategy and securing levers that reinforce coherence with major societal challenges (diversity, inclusion, climate...)
- Steering profitable growth by managing the economic dimension of academic development
- Ensuring effective, efficient, and relevant alignment between development and necessary resources (real estate, human, financial, IT...)
- Encouraging and strengthening the impact of academic research towards businesses, programs, and society as a whole
- Ensuring coherence in the portfolio of offerings (schools and programs) with the expectations of targets and developing synergies between programs and schools
- Developing and leading the sustainable development strategy
- Contributing to the communication and visibility of the group to the media and professional, institutional, and academic bodies
- Committing to improving the social openness of programs
- Ensuring the enhancement of student experience on campuses and in online activities
- Developing the recruitment of talented national and international students and initiating prestigious academic partnerships attractive to students.
Desired profile & personal qualities :
- PhD (Habilitation à diriger des recherches or equivalent is a plus)
- Understanding of the Group's environment and context to quickly integrate its key challenges
- Leadership profile with experience in leading transformation projects in the complex world of higher education
- Ability to drive profitable growth, mastery of economic and financial management within the budgetary process and management control developed by the group
- Strong national and international network connections: prestigious schools, accreditation bodies, economic players in public and private spheres (ministries, embassies...)
- Connection to the world of businesses and organizations that employ graduates
- Native or fluent French and proficient English.
The following personal qualities are highly valued:
- Ability to adopt, embody, and develop the Group
- Ability to create and unite teams around shared issues
- Creativity and pragmatism
- Listening skills and leadership
- Decision-making ability and reporting skills
- Ethical sense and respect for others.
Job details :
- Based in Paris with national and international travel
- Executive status with a 4-month probationary period, renewable once
- Motivating remuneration package based on profile and experience.
Recruitment Process :
Please submit your complete application (CV, letter of interest, and list of referees) to: s.obarowski@headway-advisory.com or lirimont@headway-advisory.com.
The process will include:
- Two to three interviews with specialized consultants from Headway People
- The completion of a specific confidential dossier by shortlisted candidates
- Interviews before a selection committee of the group.
