Head of Sector in the Budget and Financial Affairs Service

The European University Institute (EUI) is seeking an experienced professional to lead and coordinate one of the strategic areas within the Budget and Financial Affairs (BFA) Service, supporting the Institute’s mission through excellence in financial management.

The EUI at a glance:

We are an international organisation set up in 1972; a research university focusing exclusively on post-graduate, doctoral, and post-doctoral studies, and advanced research, located in the hills overlooking the city of Florence, Italy. The Institute also hosts the Historical Archives of the European Union.

More on our Institution: https://www.eui.eu/About

The BFA Service plays a central role in ensuring sound, efficient, and forward-looking financial management at the European University Institute. The Service supports the President, the Secretary General, and the Chief Operating Officer in shaping and implementing the Institute’s financial strategy, while providing operational and advisory support to academic and administrative units in achieving their institutional objectives in research and teaching, as defined in the Convention setting up the Institute. BFA oversees the entire budgetary cycle — from the preparation of the annual draft budget and medium-term financial planning, to budget execution, monitoring, and reporting, up to the discharge of the President. It also ensures the effective management of the EU Operating Grant and other external funding sources. BFA provides financial advice and analytical support, facilitates procurement processes, and supports services in the planning and execution of their budgets, including both internal appropriations and externally funded activities. BFA is also responsible for the accurate calculation and payment of salaries, pensions, and related statutory rights for all categories of staff, as well as for the management of grants and traineeships.

Reporting to the Director, the Head of Sector role ensures the coordination of one of the two key areas within the BFA: Remuneration and Pay, and Financial Documents Supervision and Internal Control.

Remuneration and Pay: Responsible for the end-to-end management of salaries, pensions, grants, and traineeships, this area ensures the accurate and timely processing of payroll-related activities. It also contributes to the reporting and monitoring of staff-related expenditure, supporting financial planning and informed decision-making. In addition, it promotes the continuous improvement, digitalisation, and optimisation of remuneration processes, while maintaining a high level of service quality.

Financial Documents Supervision and Internal Control: This area ensures the oversight and quality of financial transactions and supporting documentation, promoting consistency and reliability across financial operations. It supports the effective application of internal procedures and contributes to strengthening internal controls and risk awareness, while fostering transparency and a sound financial management culture across the Institute. The role also contributes to the continuous modernisation and digitalisation of financial administration at the Institute.

The main responsibilities of the role include:

• Strategic and Expert Leadership: The Head of Sector acts as the subject-matter expert for the assigned area of responsibility (Remuneration and Pay or Financial Documents Supervision and Internal Control), ensuring the quality, timeliness and reliability of outputs. The role supports the Director in identifying risks, challenges and opportunities for improvement, and actively promotes innovation, simplification, digitalisation and optimisation of financial processes.
• Governance, Compliance and Operational Accountability: Reporting directly to the Director, the Head of Sector operates with a high level of autonomy and accountability. The role ensures compliance with Financial Rules, oversees and validates financial transactions and supporting documentation, contributes to internal control and risk awareness, and acts as Verifying Agent and/or Authorising Officer in SAP.
• People Management and Stakeholder Engagement: The Head of Sector leads and manages the team, contributes to recruitment and staff development, fosters a collaborative working environment and acts as a member of Selection Boards when required. The role represents the Budget and Financial Affairs Service in relevant meetings and acts as a key contact point for internal and external stakeholders.
• Financial Accountability, Systems and Process Development: The role contributes to budget preparation, monitoring and reporting, including analysis of staff-related expenditure. The Head of Sector coordinates administrative processes, provides guidance on financial procedures, acts as Key User for SAP and organises internal training activities.

What we offer:

• A role in an inspiring community of young scholars with an exclusive focus on master, doctoral and post-doctoral studies;
• A truly multicultural community of 1100 academics at all career stages and an administrative staff of approximately 85 different nationalities.
• The commitment to a genuine culture of equality, diversity and inclusion, and to attracting, encouraging and retaining a diverse and highly qualified workforce;
• A world-class research library, the Historical Archives of the European Union, and many other excellent research facilities;
• Language courses and soft skills training opportunities;
• Access to all EUI facilities: library, crèche, cafeteria, gym, participation in seminars and workshops;
• Competitive salary package including health and pension plan;
• A healthy work-life balance in a family-friendly environment.

To know more about the positions and the application process, please read the

• Vacancy Notice (pdf)
• Annex II (pdf)

Applications must be submitted electronically via the online application form.

The deadline for applications is 5 June 2026 at 23:59 CEST.