Director, Operational Excellence (Dutch required)

Ghent - Belgium

Monthly Salary: Not Disclosed

Posted on: 5 hours ago

Vacancies: 1 Vacancy

Job Summary

Work location: Ghent Leuven Antwerp Brussels multi-site role Employment fraction: 80-100%

Reports to: Managing Directors

About VIB

VIB is a leading life sciences research institute with a unique collaborative model spanning nine research centers and four partner universities. Our mission is to advance life sciences for the benefit of society through scientific excellence innovation and collaboration.

Achieving research excellence depends not only on outstanding scientists but also on high-quality professional support services that create an enabling environment where science can thrive.

Reporting to the Managing Directors (MD) this position will take operations within VIB to the next level by driving key institutional transformation projects.

Role purpose

VIB is entering a new strategic phase in which operational excellence alignment and collaboration across the institute become increasingly important. The Director Operational Excellence plays a key leadership role in elevating the VIB operations at institutional level.

You will guide the gradual transition from a historically decentralized structure to a connected collaborative support model integrating local support teams at each location (Ghent Leuven Antwerp Brussels) with central coordination on strategy standards and expertise.

The role is responsible for overseeing and continuously improving the way support services such as HR Finance Science Policy Communication Procurement and ICT work together end-to-end across the organization. The objective is to ensure that processes are well aligned efficient resilient and supportive of VIBs scientific mission - while remaining pragmatic responsive and non-bureaucratic.

In this role you combine operational accountability with the ability to lead change through influence and collaboration. You ensure that VIBs operating model evolves in a thoughtful sustainable way balancing institute-wide coherence with strong local engagement and responsiveness.

Key responsibilities

Strategic leadership

Translate VIBs strategic objectives into a coherent integrated support services model;
Define and implement a future-proof operating model that balances local autonomy with institute-wide alignment;
Be a strategic partner to executive leadership research center directors and governance bodies;
Provide direction and prioritization for VIBs operational initiatives in close collaboration with domain leads;
Act as a visible trusted leader who communicates clearly and listens actively.

Transformation & change management

Lead a complex multi-year change program affecting multiple locations and professional communities;
Design and facilitate diagnostic workshops to map current practices identify best ideas and co-create the future model;
Ensure phased implementation piloting and continuous feedback to build trust and buy-in;
Clearly define roles responsibilities and reporting lines while preserving flexibility and responsiveness.

Operational excellence

Ensure high-quality uniform service delivery across all centers while allowing for local differentiation where appropriate;
Harmonize policies processes and tools where this adds value efficiency and consistency; reduce duplication of systems and workflows;
Strengthen operational resilience through integrated teams workload balancing and continuity planning;
Foster a culture of collaboration transparency and continuous improvement.

Your profile

Proven senior leadership experience in complex knowledge-intensive organizations (e.g. research academia healthcare technology).
Strong track record in organizational transformation shared services or operating model redesign.
Excellent change-management and stakeholder-engagement skills; able to build alignment across diverse communities.
Strategic thinker with strong execution skills.
Comfortable navigating decentralized environments and matrix organizations.
Excellent communication skills in English and Dutch.

Why join VIB

Lead a strategically critical transformation.
Make a lasting impact on how a world-class research institute operates.
Work in an intellectually rich mission-driven environment.
Collaborate with highly motivated colleagues across science and support functions.

How to apply

Please complete the online application procedure ( and include a detailed CV and a motivation letter.
For further information and questions please send an email to

Work location: Ghent Leuven Antwerp Brussels multi-site role Employment fraction: 80-100% Reports to: Managing DirectorsAbout VIBVIB is a leading life sciences research institute with a unique collaborative model spanning nine research centers and four partner universities. Our mission is to adva...