President (m, f, d)

Berlin, Dubai, Hamburg, Iserlohn, Potsdam

Full-time

Temporary

Your Responsibilities

We are looking for a distinguished leader to join us on 01.09.2026, based at one of our locations in Berlin, Hamburg, Potsdam, Iserlohn or Dubai.

As President, you will shape the future of the University of Europe for Applied Sciences, driving its strategic vision, fostering a culture of academic excellence, diversity and innovation, and strengthening its position as a leading institution in the fields of Art & Design and Business. You will lead a diverse and talented community across multiple campuses in Germany and Dubai and represent the university within the GUS network.

The President represents the university externally, chairs the Presidium and holds decision-making authority within it. The position is carried out on a full-time basis. The initial term of office is six years, with a possible extension of a further four years following re-election in accordance with the University's constitution.

Please note that, in accordance with the University’s Constitution, the current President is eligible to stand for re-election and may apply as part of this appointment process.

Key Activities & Responsibilities:

Visionary Leadership: You define and drive the long-term strategic identity of the university and act as the main architect of the University Development Plan.
Ambassador & Strategic Networker: As the primary face of the university, you build strong alliances with national and international institutions in academia and the industry, positioning the university as a prestigious partner in the academic and professional landscape. You enhance UE’s international positioning and profile the university as a trusted, practice-oriented and innovative partner in the academic and professional landscape[PG1] .
Academic Innovation: You drive the evolution of the academic portfolio. By nurturing the growth of departments and degree programs, you ensure the university remains at the cutting edge of teaching and applied research.
Empowering Governance: You lead the Presidium as an inspiring moderator and decision-maker, ensuring seamless operations across all campuses while promoting a unified, collaborative institutional culture. The president is expected to navigate confidently at the intersection of the academic, regulatory, and corporate stakeholders, for example vis-à-vis the owner company, guided by a clear commitment to academic integrity and high standards of academic quality.
Strategic Resource Management: You oversee the university budget as a tool for growth, using performance-based allocation to incentivize excellence and invest in future-oriented faculty and facilities.
Quality & Transformation: You promote a culture of continuous improvement, using evaluation and research insights to sharpen the university’s competitive edge and ensure long-term academic impact.
Talent Acquisition: You initiate the search for top-tier professorial talent, ensuring that the university attracts the brightest minds to shape the next generation of professionals.

Your profile

Completed relevant university degree
Successful doctoral degree and demonstrated ability to conduct academic research
Qualified professional experience of at least five years, of which three years outside of higher education
Teaching experience at universities (international experience an advantage)
Extensive experience in university management, academic self-governance, as well as in programme and institutional accreditation
Several years of experience in leadership positions with personnel and budget responsibility at a university or in research-adjacent institutions in the fields of culture, business, administration or politics
Experience with matrix organisations an advantage
Integrative and collegial leadership skills that foster diverse disciplinary and campus cultures as well as heterogeneous student profiles from the fields of Art & Design, Tech and Business
Strong competencies in networking with external stakeholders, partner institutions and interest groups
International academic experience is a strong advantage
Very good command of both German and English is expected, given the university's diverse international profile
Willingness and ability to travel regularly across all university locations

Why us?

An internationally oriented university with campuses in Germany and Dubai, embedded in a global network — the Global University System — and shaped by a diverse university community of students, faculty, and partners from around the world.
A unique competency profile at the intersection of Business, Art & Design, Tech, and Health: UE combines business, creative and artistic excellence, technological expertise, design thinking, psychological perspectives, and health-related competencies. At its core is the interaction between humans and technology — reflecting precisely those future-oriented skills that are becoming increasingly important in the labour market.
An agile university environment in which innovation is not merely understood as a buzzword, but actively lived through the academic portfolio, interdisciplinary projects, and collaboration with industry and practice partners.A fixed-term contract, as is customary for this position, on a full-time basis (40 hours/week)
Competitive salary
30 days of vacation
Opportunities for continuous professional development and online training
A diverse, innovative and international working environment in collaboration with partner universities and cooperation partners
Numerous campus events from the fields of art, culture, business and science

Interested?

We look forward to receiving your application!

The appointment of the President is governed by the University's Constitution and is based on the provisions of § 71 of the Higher Education Act of the Federal State of Brandenburg/Germany.

How to Apply:

Please submit your application, including the following documents, to karriere@gusgermany.deby June 5, 2026:

· Motivation letter outlining your vision for the university
· Curriculum vitae
· Doctoral degree certificate and list of publications

Your contact for professional questions: Prof. Dr. Iris Lorscheid Zurheide (iris.lorscheid@ue-germany.com)

The university aims to increase the proportion of women among its employees. Therefore, we expressly invite women with a suitable profile to apply.

As an employer, we are committed to equal opportunity and support for minorities and do not discriminate on the basis of ethnic origin, colour, religion, gender, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability or legally protected status.

About us

GUS Germany GmbH (GGG) is an innovative and dynamic network of world-class higher education institutions that is committed to empowering students with the knowledge and skills they need to make a positive impact in the world. Our mission is to foster visionary leaders who can drive meaningful change for society.

With a strong presence in Germany, Europe, and beyond, GGG is made up of several well-known brands, including UE (University of Europe for Applied Sciences), BSBI (Berlin School of Business & Innovation), htk academy, and GISMA University for Applied Sciences. Our thriving student body of over 10,000 learners across our institutions benefits from a wide range of academic disciplines, such as business, technology, data science, engineering, sports, and fine arts.

As part of the Global University Systems (GUS) network, which comprises over 48 universities across Europe, the USA, Australia, Asia, and South America, with over 87,000 students, we are dedicated to providing exceptional learning experiences to our students.

At GGG, we are committed to creating a supportive and inclusive work environment where everyone can thrive. Our employees play a vital role in ensuring that our students succeed at every step of their career path. Join our team and be a part of a culture of innovation and excellence in education. www.gusgermany.com