Group Leader Systems Operations
Location: Zurich | Working hours: 80%-100% | Type: Permanent
The ETH Zurich technology platform NEXUS Personalized Health enables discovery and translational research for personalized health. We offer a broad range of expertise across Clinical Bioinformatics, Biostatistics, Software Engineering, Systems Operations, and Screening & Lab Automation.
Systems Operations bridges the gap between building systems and ensuring their reliable performance in both research and clinical contexts. Our team of five members is intentionally diverse, encompassing roles such as site reliability engineering and operational profiles involved in clinical study execution. We typically assume responsibility for systems as they transition from development into real-world use, while also addressing operational priorities across NEXUS.
Job Description
As Group Leader for Systems Operations, you will lead a diverse team while defining how NEXUS operates its systems, both independently and alongside users and partners. You will create clarity around responsibilities, minimize friction, and establish predictable service delivery that enables project success.
- Team Leadership: Guide, mentor, and develop a diverse team with various professional backgrounds.
- Operational Ownership: Ensure the reliable operation of internal and partner-facing systems, including deployments and day-to-day stability.
- Transition and Lifecycle Management: Define and manage handovers from development into controlled testing phases and ongoing operations.
- Regulated and Structured Execution: Coordinate work in environments requiring regulatory awareness and strict documentation.
- Stakeholder and Expectation Management: Proactively manage expectations and translate between technical realities and user needs.
- Service Delivery and Prioritization: Balance urgency, risk, and value across multiple demands with transparent decision-making.
- Reliability Practices: Establish standards for monitoring, backups, and change management without necessitating on-call duties.
- Cross-Team Collaboration: Work closely with various teams to maintain coherent end-to-end delivery.
- Process Improvement: Streamline processes to eliminate friction while avoiding unnecessary bureaucracy.
- Resource Management: Plan capacity and priorities for the group across an expanding portfolio of operational commitments.
Quick Self-Check
You will thrive in this role if:
- You enjoy stabilizing and improving systems over time.
- You create clarity and reliability in complex stakeholder environments.
- You can navigate difficult conversations and resolve conflicts constructively.
- You clarify ownership proactively and enforce it as necessary.
- You combine technical expertise with strong interpersonal skills and structured execution.
- You take on responsibility for both people and service outcomes.
- You establish operational processes that reduce friction without adding bureaucracy.
- You are comfortable engaging with diverse profiles, from engineers to non-technical stakeholders.
Profile
Non-Negotiables:
- Proven leadership experience in operations, platform engineering, site reliability, clinical operations, or similar roles.
- Strong stakeholder skills for aligning expectations and resolving conflicts.
- Experience managing systems in environments where reliability and documentation are critical.
- Ability to translate between technical teams and users without overloading them with technical jargon.
- Solid technical background to engage with engineers on relevant issues.
- Excellent communication skills in English.
Strongly Expected:
- Experience in defining operating models and handover criteria.
- Comfort with structured documentation and traceability as required.
Advantageous:
- Experience in healthcare or clinical research operations.
- Familiarity with security-conscious deployments and risk management.
- Knowledge of German.
Workplace
At NEXUS, we value knowledge exchange and teamwork, where everyone contributes their expertise. We maintain flat hierarchies and a positive attitude. Flexible working hours and family-friendly models are available, along with training opportunities in an exciting field at the forefront of translational research.
We Value Diversity and Sustainability
In line with our values, ETH Zurich promotes an inclusive culture, ensuring equality of opportunity and respect for the rights and dignity of all staff and students. Sustainability is a core value, and we are committed to working towards a climate-neutral future.
Curious? So Are We.
Apply online using the form below. Only applications matching the job profile will be considered.