ICFO – The Institute of Photonic Sciences is a world-leading research centre devoted to advancing the science and technologies of light. Based in Castelldefels (Barcelona), ICFO combines frontier research, education, innovation and technology transfer to generate scientific and societal impact.
Over the past two decades, ICFO has established itself as an internationally recognized centre of excellence and a global reference in photonics. Today, with a highly international community of around 500 employees representing more than 70 nationalities and operating naturally in English, Catalan and Spanish, ICFO continues its institutional development aimed at strengthening scientific excellence, international visibility and long-term impact.
As a public research institution, ICFO is committed to generating positive impact at multiple scales, from its local environment in Castelldefels and Barcelona to Catalonia, Spain, Europe and the world. ICFO is governed by a Board of Trustees and led by an Executive Leadership comprising the Director and the Managing Director, responsible for the scientific, strategic and operational development of the Institute.
As part of its ongoing institutional development, ICFO is creating a new senior leadership position to strengthen the strategic coordination of communications, outreach, events and institutional relations. The successful candidate will lead the continued development and integration of these functions in close collaboration with the Executive Leadership.
ICFO is seeking an outstanding and internationally minded leader to serve as Director of Institutional Relations and Communications.
Reporting directly to the Executive Leadership, the successful candidate will serve as a close strategic partner to the Director and the Managing Director on matters relating to communications, reputation, institutional positioning and stakeholder engagement.
The Director of Institutional Relations and Communications will support the implementation of the Institute’s priorities through communication, outreach, events and institutional relations activities, while leading, developing and integrating the teams responsible for these functions. The role requires extensive interaction with the Director and Managing Director, research group leaders and external partners, and calls for the judgement, discretion and strategic perspective associated with a senior leadership role.
The successful candidate and their team will contribute to strengthening ICFO’s visibility and reputation, fostering a vibrant scientific culture and a strong sense of community across the Institute and among the broader network of people and organizations connected to ICFO.
This position offers a unique opportunity to contribute to the continued development and international presence of one of the world’s leading research institutions.
Main Responsibilities
Executive Leadership Support and Strategic Implementation
- Serve as a close strategic partner to the Director and Managing Director on matters relating to communications, institutional positioning and stakeholder engagement.
- Support the communication and implementation of the Institute’s priorities and long-term ambitions, translating them into coherent communication, engagement and institutional relations activities.
- Support high-level interactions involving governments, funding agencies, academic institutions, industry, foundations and international organizations.
Ensure coherence between ICFO’s mission, culture and external positioning.
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Communications, Institutional Relations and Community
- Strengthen ICFO’s visibility, reputation and influence within the international scientific, innovation and policy ecosystem.
- Develop and maintain relationships with key stakeholders and cultivate long-term engagement with researchers, students, staff, alumni, partners and supporters.
- Promote awareness of ICFO’s activities and achievements across internal and external audiences, fostering a strong sense of community and shared purpose.
- Oversee media relations, science communication and public engagement activities, ensuring that ICFO’s external presence reflects the quality and ambitions of the Institute.
Explore opportunities to strengthen philanthropic engagement and expand ICFO’s network of ambassadors and supporters.
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Institutional Identity, Culture and Events
- Foster a vibrant scientific culture and contribute to institutional cohesion and engagement across the ICFO community.
- Lead initiatives aimed at strengthening ICFO’s identity, visibility and institutional presence, including the evolution of its external image and communication platforms.
- Promote a coherent experience across physical spaces, digital platforms and institutional interactions.
- Promote and support scientific, institutional and outreach events, including seminars, colloquia, workshops, distinguished visits and major ceremonies.
Act, when appropriate, as institutional host and moderator for major ceremonies and strategic events involving senior stakeholders and internationally recognized guests.
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Leadership and Organizational Development
- Lead and develop the teams responsible for communications, outreach, events and institutional relations, fostering a collaborative, service-oriented and high-performance culture.
- Lead the continued development and integration of the communications, outreach, events and institutional relations functions and, in close collaboration with the Executive Leadership, assess their capabilities and define priorities and a strategic roadmap for the coming years.
- Strengthen coordination across functions and promote effective collaboration and alignment across activities and teams.
- Foster talent development and continuous improvement in support of ICFO’s long-term ambitions.
Candidate Profile
We seek an exceptional leader with strategic vision, creativity and strong interpersonal skills, capable of combining institutional thinking with operational execution and of building communities and relationships around a shared mission, while fostering collaboration and enabling others to excel.
Essential Qualifications
- University degree in Communications, Journalism, Public Affairs, Political Science, International Relations, Humanities, Business Administration or another relevant discipline. A postgraduate qualification is desirable.
- At least 10 years of progressively responsible professional experience in communications, institutional relations, public affairs, stakeholder engagement or related fields.
- Demonstrated experience leading multidisciplinary teams and complex initiatives, preferably in periods of organizational growth or transformation.
- Demonstrated experience working closely with senior leadership and supporting strategic decision-making.
- Experience within research institutions, universities, international scientific organizations, foundations, innovation ecosystems or similarly knowledge-intensive environments.
- Experience leading communication, institutional relations or stakeholder engagement activities, with demonstrated experience in several of the following areas: science communication, media relations, public affairs, branding, alumni engagement, philanthropy or fundraising.
- Proven ability to build and maintain relationships across diverse institutional and external stakeholders.
- Outstanding written and oral communication skills, including the ability to communicate effectively with scientific, institutional and public audiences.
- Excellent interpersonal, diplomatic and influencing skills.
- Excellent command of English (minimum CEFR C1), both written and spoken.
Knowledge of Catalan at level C1 or equivalent, or commitment to demonstrate equivalent proficiency through an internal test conducted under the standards of the Consorci per a la Normalització Lingüística (CNL), in accordance with Catalan public-sector requirements.
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Desired Qualifications
- International experience and multicultural awareness.
Familiarity with the research and innovation ecosystem in Catalonia, Spain and Europe.
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Personal Competencies
The successful candidate will demonstrate:
- Strategic vision and sound judgement.
- Integrity, discretion and a strong sense of responsibility.
- Leadership and team-building capabilities.
- Creativity and intellectual curiosity.
- Excellent communication and relationship-building skills.
- Initiative, flexibility and execution capacity.
- Commitment to excellence and continuous improvement.
- Ability to inspire trust and foster a sense of community and shared purpose.
Sensitivity to cultural diversity and appreciation for international environments.
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What ICFO Offers
At ICFO, we offer a unique opportunity to contribute to one of the world’s leading research institutions and to play a key role in shaping its future development and international presence.
The position provides:
- A highly stimulating and international environment.
- A senior leadership role with close interaction with the Director and the Managing Director.
- The opportunity to contribute to the visibility and impact of frontier science.
- Direct interaction with world-leading scientists and strategic partners.
- Significant scope for creativity, institutional development and long-term impact.
- The opportunity to lead and develop a highly capable multidisciplinary area with broad institutional reach and impact.
- Competitive salary and benefits commensurate with experience and qualifications.
A unique location in Barcelona, one of Europe’s most vibrant scientific, cultural and innovation hubs.
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Equal Opportunity
ICFO is an equal opportunity employer. We hire based solely on merit and potential, regardless of gender, nationality, or disability. ICFO fully endorses the European Charter for Researchers and Code of Conduct for the Recruitment of Researchers, ensuring a transparent and supportive recruitment process.
Conditions
This is a full-time position.
The contract offered will be a permanent contract (contracte indefinit) linked to the approved Public Employment Offer (Oferta Pública d’Ocupació – OPO) of ICFO and governed by the applicable public-sector labor framework.
A probationary period of 6 months will apply, in accordance with ICFO’s internal labor regulations and the applicable public-sector labor framework.
A salary according to ICFO’s approved salary scales will be offered, commensurate with the level of the position and the candidate’s experience.
The selected candidate will join ICFO under a permanent contract and will benefit from ICFO’s attractive working conditions, including a hybrid work model, flexible working hours, and access to professional development opportunities.
To apply, please submit your resume, a cover letter outlining your experience, and contact information for 2 professional references. Applications should be submitted via the ICFOjobs platform http://jobs.icfo.eu.
The selection process will follow open, transparent, and merit-based recruitment (OTM-R) principles. It will consist of:
1. Eligibility check of applications.
2. Assessment of merits (education, experience, and language)
3. Written test to assess technical knowledge related to the job position
4. Interview with shortlisted candidates
The Evaluation Committee will include at least three members and ensure gender balance and impartiality.
Each phase will be documented, and candidates will be notified of the outcome within 15 days of the interview.
Data Protection
In accordance with Regulation (EU) 2016/679 (GDPR) and Organic Law 3/2018, ICFO informs applicants that their personal data will be processed exclusively for recruitment purposes.
- Controller: Fundació ICFO – Institut de Ciències Fotòniques, Av. Carl Friedrich Gauss 3, 08860 Castelldefels (Barcelona).
- DPO: [email protected]
- Legal basis: performance of a task in the public interest.
- Rights: access, rectification, erasure, restriction, and opposition.
Supervisory authority: Catalan Data Protection Authority (APDCAT) https://apdcat.gencat.cat
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All recruitment files will be retained in accordance with the Catalan public-sector archival retention schedule (DOGC 2117).
Reference: 1122
Application deadline: 31.08.26
