Secretary General

Position description

The Architects’ Council of Europe (ACE) is the representative organisation for the architectural profession at European level founded in 1990 as an international no-for-profit association (AISBL) based in Belgium. Its membership currently consists of 52 Member Organisations, which are the regulatory and professional representative bodies in all European Union (EU) Member States and other European countries with a special status in relation to the EU and 6 Observers Members from the Accession Countries. Through them, the ACE represents the interests of over 600 000 architects from 36 countries in Europe.

The Secretariat is led by the Secretary General (SG). Today the Secretariat consist of 8 people working on policy development, international relations, communication, administration and research management. The Secretariat informs the Executive Board (EB) and Member Organisations about all significant questions arising from EU policies and actions that may impact on the architectural profession. It supports the EB in fulfilling its mission and oversees the transparency and implementation of organisational decisions, thereby safeguarding continuity.

Detailed information about the Architects’ Council of Europe can be found at Home – Architects’ Council of Europe.

Responsibilities of the Secretary General

• Financial Planning, Management and Operations, including the day-to-day management and operation of ACE, its office and personnel, including the preparation of the EB meetings, General Assemblies, Conferences, Sectoral meetings and diverse projects, including agenda, documentation and records of meetings;
• Managing staff resources effectively, including recruitment, appraisal, reviewing staffing needs, and recommending adjustments to ensure an efficient team, in full respect of the applicable legislation;
• Overseeing the ACE operating budget and providing appropriate accounting and reports together with the Treasurer;
• Overseeing access to EU funding and managing the work projects/programmes;
• Strategic Leadership and Governance including defining strategic objectives and business plans together with the EB;
• Implementation of policies and technical decisions taken by the EB and General Assembly;
• External Relations including representing and ensuring that ACE is represented at the highest levels, so that partnerships with other EU institutions and European or International bodies are maintained or developed;
• Strengthening ACE’s position in the European policy landscape and representing ACE in matters related to its strategy towards the European organisations under the guidance of the EB;
• Member Service and Communication;
• Compliance and Regulatory Oversight.

Qualifications

Education and experience

• A Master degree in architecture, political science, business administration or law. Related fields may also be considered;
• A minimum of 15 years’ experience, ideally in EU institutions or European non-governmental organisations, with proven record of leadership and management experience;
• Experience of third sector network leadership in membership organisations or similar umbrella organisations, ideally in a public policy context, working with volunteer experts;
• Track record of working in an EU/international political environment and influencing policy at this level.

Skills and abilities

• Leadership skills and diplomacy;
• Ability to maintain effective partnerships and working relations in a multicultural environment and to work collaboratively to achieve organisational goals;
• Well-honed political skills including sound judgement, impartiality, and discretion;
• Excellent knowledge of realities in Europe and of the challenges and opportunities for architects at European level;
• Strong understanding of EU institutions, policy making and funding programmes;
• Ability to manage multiple and competing priorities and demands in often challenging circumstances;
• Energetic teamworker and networker, innovative and with ability to create and seize new opportunities;
• Impact-driven and result-oriented, decisive, engaging, attentive and persuasive with presence, vision, drive and strategic mindset;
• A clear and confident advocate and communicator with excellent oral and written communications skills and the ability to communicate complex information clearly and concisely;
• Fluent in spoken and written English and good knowledge of French.

Employment Status

The successful candidate will be based in Brussels, Belgium, and should be eligible to work under a Belgian employment contract. The candidate will have to register in Brussels and pay taxes in Belgium.

The Secretary General must be willing and able to travel as part of his/her duties especially in representing ACE in the EU and around the world, and occasionally to work unsocial hours.

The contract is expected to start from January 2026.

Application instructions

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