Institute Manager - Social Sciences

About Us
The Social Sciences Research institute is a contract research organisation. This year Wageningen Economic Research and Wageningen Centre for Development Innovation will merge into a new institute with about 450 employees. Within this new organisational structure 3new positions for Institute Manager have been created where each has its focus on a different domain; (1) Sustainable & Innovative Value Chains, (2) Global Food System Transformation and (3) Agricultural Policy and Data Management . For the first two domains, we are looking for new colleagues to join the team.

The institute focuses on social and economic research that supports sustainable, inclusive and just food and eco systems transformations, contributing to socioeconomic equity and planetary health, around the world. Together with the Wageningen University Department of Social Sciences, it forms the Social Sciences Group (SSG), one of Wageningen University & Research’s five science groups.

Job Description
As the Institute Manager, you will play a crucial role in steering the institute towards strategic goals. In collaboration with two other Institute Managers, you will lead a globally influential institute, ensuring optimal performance and financial stability. Your responsibilities include developing and implementing the strategy, external representation, and achieving results together with the team leaders. Serving as the direct managerial connection to the team leaders, you will play a key role in promoting communication, coordination, and support across the organisation. You will lead the teams towards a sustainable and productive working environment.

As Institute Manager within the domain Sustainable & Innovative Value Chains, you will navigate at the forefront of leading research within the food system, focusing on the need for safe and ethical food production and consumption systems. Your role involves cultivating strong international networks and addressing the complex challenges posed by transformative shifts in the food system, all in close collaboration with European governments and the private sector. In particular, you will focus on the dynamic European research landscape, addressing both national and international developments in the retail and food industries.

Key Management Responsibilities

• Strategy Development and Realization: Formulate and execute strategies aligning with the institute's objectives.
• Inclusive Leadership and Management: Take up a leadership role and foster collaboration and coaching within the team.
• External Representation: Enhance the institute’s visibility through active engagement and representation.
• Collaborative Results and Financial Stability: Ensure achievement of collaborative goals and financial stability.
• Research-Oriented Acquisition: Manage portfolios and acquisitions in European and international contexts.

A strategic management team (SMT) will manage the institute, consisting of the SSG Managing Director, the SSG Director of Operations, and three Institute Managers, each focusing on a specific domain.