Vacature YUFE Institutional Coordinator

YUFE Institutional Coordinator in Maastricht

Welcome to Maastricht University!

Do you want to help shape one of the first truly European universities? Maastricht University (UM) is seeking a YUFE Institutional Coordinator with a positive, solution-oriented mindset, someone who is strategic, hands-on, and experienced in internationalization within an academic environment.

YUFE Institutional Coordinator

Our goal: The Young Universities for the Future of Europe (YUFE) Alliance is creating an open, inclusive and studentcentred model of the European University. We develop flexible, crossborder education and research with a strong focus on excellence, interdisciplinarity, multilingualism and societal impact. Students, staff and lifelong learners can study, work and collaborate across Europe, strengthening mobility, engagement and European integration.

Your colleagues: As YUFE Institutional Coordinator, you are UM’s main point of contact within the alliance. You work closely with Institutional Coordinators from partner universities and with the YUFE Secretary General to ensure smooth cooperation and strategic alignment. Together with the UM President, you represent YUFE at the highest institutional level and act as an ambassador for students, staff and external partners. Within UM, you collaborate with a wide range of stakeholders and lead the sixmember UM YUFE team, which is part of the International Office.

In this role, you will be the driving force behind collaboration across the YUFE alliance, connecting students, staff, partner institutions, and strategy. You will coordinate with the UM YUFE team, actively engage stakeholders across the university, and serve as a close advisor to our Executive Board and management. Together, you will help UM lead the way toward a bold new model for higher education in Europe, all within a dynamic, diverse, and inclusive work environment that values diplomacy and collaboration.

What you do

• Shape and steer UM’s strategic direction within the YUFE alliance, translating ambitions into concrete actions, ensuring effective implementation, and aligning YUFE initiatives with the university’s long-term strategy and shared goals and outcomes, within and beyond the current project phase.
• Build broad-based support and commitment across the organisation by engaging colleagues and leadership, fostering ownership, and mobilising collaboration to ensure that YUFE is firmly embedded in UM’s long-term development.
• Advise and support the UM Executive Board in their representation within the YUFE Strategic Council, guide UM’s role in implementing the Alliance’s projects, and provide insights on YUFE-related matters linked to local or national policy.
• Represent YUFE in various internal UM bodies and provide regular updates on alliance progress to all relevant decision-making bodies within the university.
• Serve as an inspiring UM representative toward the alliance by mediating within the complex international YUFE alliance, bridging institutional differences, and building strong relationships with executives, partners, and regional stakeholders.
• Coordinate and lead the UM YUFE team within the UM International Office, overseeing all YUFE-related work packages and projects, monitoring the activities of project managers and coordinators, decentral admission officers, secretary, interns and the Student Forum members, and holding end-responsibility for all YUFE projects at UM, including budgets and preparing sustainable business cases, across initiatives such as YUFE, YUFERING, YUFE4Postdocs, and Inno4YUFE.

What you bring

We’re not looking for checkboxes; we’re interested in who you are and what you bring. Do you recognize yourself in this?

• Relevant academic background and strategic experience: Master’s degree or equivalent (PhD is a plus) combined with professional experience in international strategy development and the ability to translate strategy into actionable plans.
• Experience and seniority: Motivated senior candidate with proven experience in management and intercultural communication, able to lead initiatives and teams effectively.
  
  Intercultural diplomacy: Diplomatic sensitivity and the ability to navigate governance and international contexts effectively.
• Relationship management: Ability to advise and influence senior leadership, build partnerships, and foster collaboration across UM, the YUFE Alliance, the community, and national/European arenas.
  
  Team and collaboration focus: Open and inclusive approach that fosters team spirit and engagement.
• Organizational and financial effectiveness: Excellent project coordination, organizational, and time management skills; able to manage multiple priorities, develop business cases, and assess the long-term budgetary and strategic impact of decisions.
• Communication skills: Strong oral and written communication in Dutch and English, with the ability to engage effectively with diverse stakeholders.
  
  Personality: Proactive, independent, resilient, results-oriented, and accurate

What we offer

At Maastricht University, you’ll work in an international, open, and engaged environment. We offer:
•  A 12-month contract (0,8 - 1 FTE) with the prospect of a permanent contract based on mutual satisfaction.
•  A gross monthly salary between € 6512,- and €7904,- (based on full-time employment of 38 hours per week). 8% holiday allowance and an 8.3% year-end bonus.
•  29 vacation days (based 1 FTE), four additional days off (Carnival Monday and Tuesday, Good Friday, and Liberation Day), and the possibility to accrue up to 12 extra days through compensation hours.
•  Flexible working hours, a home office allowance, and the option to work from home.
•  Freedom and space to shape your work independently and develop your ideas.
•  A close-knit community of colleagues to collaborate and grow with.
•  A solid pension plan via ABP, company fitness schemes, and access to various university sports facilities.
•  An inspiring work environment in the heart of Europe.

About the Maastricht University Office (MUO)

MUO connects, facilitates, and strengthens collaboration within and beyond Maastricht University. As a network organization, we support the Executive Board, faculties, and services with joint programmes, communication, and strategy. Together, we make the university’s direction visible and tangible.

Interested?

Want to know more about this position or what it’s like to work at our university? Reach out to Gonny Willems via [email protected]. The end date of the publication is 25 March 2026.

The first interview round will take place on 1 April 2026 and the second round will be on 8 April 2026. Preparing and presenting a case will be part of the second interviews.

We are seeking someone who can start as soon as possible, and qualified candidates will be invited to interview immediately. Therefore, we encourage you to apply promptly rather than waiting until the closing date.”

Apply now via the button below. We look forward to getting to know you!

About Maastricht University

At Maastricht University, we collaboratively seek solutions to help move the world forward. We do this with 23,300 students and 5,400 employees across 5 regional locations, 6 faculties, and more than 70 research institutes. We encourage you to push boundaries and discover new opportunities for yourself and the world around you. Together, we can find the answers for tomorrow.

The vacancy is open for internal and external candidates. In case of equal qualifications, internal candidates will be prioritized.

At Maastricht University, we prefer to contact potential candidates directly. We therefore kindly ask that no agencies or intermediaries submit offers or approaches.

Maastricht University is committed to promoting and nurturing a diverse and inclusive community. We believe that diversity in our staff and student population contributes to the quality of research and education at UM, and strive to enable this through inclusive policies and innovative projects led by teams of staff and students. We encourage you to apply for this position.