Head of Technical Services , European Patent Office

EPO - European Patent Office

The Hague, Netherlands

Job group 4

Directorate Buildings, Technical Installations and Property
Principal Directorate General Administration
EPO The Hague (NL) 

Directorate 4.4.1 (Buildings, Technical Installations and Property) has a vacancy for the head of technical services in the EPO's The Hague buildings. This official reports direct to the Director 4.4.1, who in turn reports to the Principal Director General Administration. 

The appointee will be responsible for technical maintenance of the EPO's buildings in The Hague. The main task is to ensure that they are operated and maintained skilfully and professionally, so that their infrastructure functions and staff in the buildings have optimal workplace conditions.

Main duties

• Organising, leading and supervising technical facility management in the buildings in The Hague (231 000 m² gross floor area, team of 17 staff);
• Organising and optimising all inspection, maintenance, repair and operating work by EPO staff or outside firms;
• Recording, documenting and optimising maintenance and running costs;
• Helping to produce the budget and investment plan;
• Helping to draft tender documents and/or contracts to procure equipment, materials and services;
• Being responsible for the role of "Beheerder" as a management function: the fire safety manager and the business continuity manager in compliance with Standard NEN 2654-1(2012);
• Providing reports on incidents and other matters concerning the buildings in The Hague, and interfacing with internal committees and local Dutch authorities;
• Harmonising maintenance strategies at all the EPO's premises in co-operation with the head of technical services in Munich;
• Initiating and supervising change management processes, especially with a view to staff (re)training as part of the department's strategic roadmaps, in close co-operation with HR.

The ideal candidate will have

• a university degree in engineering (e.g. civil, mechanical, electrical, architectural or equivalent);
• sound knowledge and practical experience of utilities engineering, and especially of electrical, heating, gas, water, air-conditioning and fire-prevention installations;
• proven project-management experience, ideally supplemented by experience in outsourcing services and managing change;
• ability to work analytically and conceptually, in a well-organised way, and to meet deadlines;
• experience in preparing decisions and presentations of conclusions to committees;
• proven line management experience (ideally including supervising other managers), very good interpersonal skills and a motivational leadership style;
• good teamworking and negotiating skills, and the ability to get things done;
• ability to negotiate in Dutch (desirable);
• intercultural understanding, international experience (especially in working with staff from different countries) and experience with project work abroad (desirable).

Salary and benefits

The EPO offers competitive salaries, an excellent social package, and varied work in a modern international environment. The net (basic) monthly salary* for this vacancy ranges from EUR 5 150.08 to 7 293.52, depending on experience. In addition, depending on their personal circumstances, EPO staff may be entitled to relocation benefits and various allowances (e.g. household, dependant's, childcare, education, expatriation, installation, rent and language allowance).

Recruitment process

At the end of our selection process, we may place suitable candidates on a reserve list for a limited period of time. Being on a reserve list does not guarantee a job offer or imply any entitlement to employment at the EPO. You will be considered automatically for vacancies in your field. No action is required on your part unless we contact you.

Minimum qualifications

Diploma of completed studies at university level or – in exceptional cases – equivalent professional experience. Excellent knowledge of one official language and ability to understand the other two. 

The successful candidate will be selected on the basis of qualifications, supplemented as appropriate by interviews, tests and/or a personality questionnaire.

It is intended to hold the interviews in December 2015 in The Hague.

Please apply online, using the link, reference number INT/EXT/5871.

Click here to apply!

Application until: 30 October 2015

* after deduction of EPO internal tax and before deduction of staff contributions to the social-security and pension schemes.

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