Career at WUR
About Us
- Plenty of variety and challenges
- Pleasant working atmosphere
- Time for personal development
- Proper work-life balance
- Internationally leading
Your job
Would you like to help build an organisation as Director of Operations that creates global impact in the fields of sustainable food production, animal welfare, biodiversity, and life sciences? Are you a strategic and connecting leader with extensive experience in complex organisations and a keen eye for operations, organisational development, and collaboration? Then this is a unique opportunity.
The Animal Sciences Group (ASG) of Wageningen University & Research is looking for a Director of Operations who, together with the Managing Director, will lead an internationally renowned knowledge organisation.
The position
As Director of Operations, you are jointly responsible for the integrated management of ASG. Together with the Managing Director, you form the ASG executive team. You are a strategic sparring partner for institute managers, chair holders, and stakeholders within and outside WUR.
You provide direction for future-proof operations and ensure that processes, systems, people, and resources optimally contribute to excellent research, education, and societal impact. You focus on quality, collaboration, innovation, and continuous development.
You are responsible for the integrated operations of ASG within Wageningen University & Research (Animal Sciences Group), including:
- Financial management (planning & control, budgeting, risk management).
- HR & organisational development (leadership, teams, change capability).
- Governance & decision-making (compliance, internal management, organisational structure).
- Process and system optimisation (facility and support processes).
- Strategic collaboration within WUR and with external partners.
- Change management and professionalisation programmes within a complex knowledge environment.
You operate in a complex governance environment in which the university, research institutes, government, industry, and societal organisations work closely together.
Your team
You will work together with your team of professionals in the fields of Finance & Control, HR, Legal Affairs, Communication, Occupational Health & Safety, Environment and Safety, and Location and Facilities Management.
Working environment: Animal Sciences Group
The world is facing major challenges. Climate change, biodiversity loss, pressure on natural resources, and a growing demand for food require fundamental changes in the way we produce food and interact with animals and nature.
Education
ASG makes an important contribution to these challenges through high-quality research and education in the field of animal sciences. ASG is a knowledge unit consisting of 12 university chair groups and 3 research institutes and includes:
- Department of Animal Sciences of Wageningen University.
- Wageningen Livestock Research.
- Wageningen Bioveterinary Research (based in Lelystad).
- Wageningen Marine Research (based in IJmuiden).
Together with researchers, lecturers, and professionals, we work every day on solutions for global challenges related to sustainable food systems, animal welfare, health, and ecosystems.
At Wageningen University & Research, more than 7,700 employees work and over 13,000 students study towards the mission: “To explore the potential of nature to improve the quality of life.” The integrated collaboration between science, education, and practice forms the foundation of the unique Wageningen approach. The Animal Sciences Group employs approximately 1,100 people.
Your qualities
You Are An Inspiring And Decisive Leader Who Knows How To Connect Strategy With Execution. You Are Organisation-sensitive, Maintain Direction In a Dynamic Environment, And Know How To Engage People In Change. You Have
- an academic level of working and thinking;
- experience as a senior manager or director with final responsibility within a complex knowledge-based or societal organisation;
- experience with integrated operations, finance, and organisational development;
- proven capabilities in change management and stakeholder management;
- a connecting leadership style and strong communication skills;
- an affinity with science, education, and societal transitions;
- an international perspective and strong governance sensitivity.
In our international working environment, communication in English is becoming increasingly important. For this position, an English language level of C2 is required. If you do not yet have this level, we will of course support you, and you can make use of our language centre, Wageningen in’to Language .
You can see that this role offers plenty of challenges. These challenges can also be viewed as opportunities for development. If you do not yet have the exact track record requested in the vacancy, but you do have solid professional experience, we would still very much like to invite you to apply.
We offer
Wageningen University & Research offers excellent terms of employment . A few highlights from our Collective Labour Agreement include:
- working hours that can be discussed and arranged so that they allow for the best possible work-life balance;
- sabbatical leave, study leave, and partially paid parental leave;
- there is a strong focus on vitality and you can make use of the sports facilities available on campus for a small fee;
- a fixed year-end bonus of 8,3%;
- excellent pension scheme.
In addition to these first-rate employee benefits, you will of course receive a good salary. We offer, depending on your experience, a competitive gross salary of between € 7,914.- and € 10,792.- for a full-time working week of 36 hours, in accordance with the CLA Wageningen Research (scale 16). Additionally, for this role a contract for 32 hours hours can be discussed. We initially offer a one-year contract, with the possibility of renewal subject to satisfactory performance and depending on the organisation’s financial situation.
We encourage development and internal mobility within our organisation. Our recruitment and selection policy sets out the conditions that apply specifically to you as a (former) employee. If you have any questions, we are happy to help.
Coming from abroad
WUR welcomes applications from international candidates. However, for applicants for this specific position from outside the EU/EFTA zone, immigration restrictions may apply based on Dutch and EU immigration laws. Such candidates may be eligible for an “orientation year ” in the Netherlands or a visa as a “knowledge migrant ”.
Wageningen University & Research is the university and research centre for life sciences. The themes we deal with are relevant to everyone around the world and Wageningen, therefore, has a large international community and a lot to offer to international employees.
Because we expect you to work and live in the Netherlands our team of advisors on Dutch immigration procedures will help you with the visa application procedures for yourself and, if applicable, for your family. If you come with a partner, we offer a Dual Career group program organized by our Welcome Center . This program helps your partner to get familiar with the Dutch culture, labour market and assists your partner to find a job.
Feeling welcome also has everything to do with being well informed. Wageningen University & Research's International Community page contains practical information about what we can do to support international employees coming to Wageningen. Furthermore, our Welcome Center can assist you with any additional advice and information about for example housing, opening a bank account or schooling. Finally, certain categories of international staff may be eligible for a tax exemption on a part of their salary during the first five years in the Netherlands.
Important information
For more information about the position, please contact Ernst van den Ende, Managing Director, via email:
[email protected].
Questions about the procedure? Get in touch with Ine van 't Land, Corporate Recruiter, via email:
[email protected].
Ready to apply?
Click on the application button next to the vacancy on our website. Only applications submitted through our website will be considered.
You can apply
up to and including Thursday September 10, 2026. The first interviews are scheduled for week of 21 September 2026.
Internal candidates are preferred to apply before August 27, 2026.
Procedure
As part of our selection process, an assessment may be incorporated within the procedure.
Welcome, safe, and valued
Wageningen University & Research (WUR) highly values diversity and inclusion because we believe that different insights lead to innovative solutions. We create a work environment where everyone feels welcome, safe, and appreciated, regardless of background, identity, or experience. Together, we are building a culture where everyone's unique contribution adds to the success of our organization.
We are
The mission of Wageningen University & Research is “To explore the potential of nature to improve the quality of life”. Under the banner Wageningen University & Research, Wageningen University and the specialised research institutes of the Wageningen Research Foundation have joined forces in contributing to finding solutions to important questions in the domain of healthy food and living environment. With its roughly 30 branches, 7,600 employees (6,700 fte) and 13,100 students and over 150,000 participants to WUR’s Life Long Learning, Wageningen University & Research is one of the leading organisations in its domain. The unique Wageningen approach lies in its integrated approach to issues and the collaboration between different disciplines.
Read the 5 reasons why your future colleagues enjoy working at WUR and watch the video below to get an idea of our green campus!
We will recruit for the vacancy ourselves, so no employment agencies please. However, sharing in your network is appreciated.
Locations
Wageningen
Professional field
Staff & Support
Educational level
Bachelors degree, Masters degree
Apply before
11-9-2026
Salary range
€7914 - €10792
Hours
32 - 36