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Head of Corporate Systems

The Council of Europe Development Bank (CEB) is a multilateral development bank with an exclusively social mandate from its 43 member countries. The CEB finances investment and provides technical assistance in social sectors such as education, health and affordable housing, while focusing on the needs of vulnerable people, as well as on the social dimensions of climate change and the environment.

 

If you are passionate about contributing to impactful projects that create lasting change across Europe, we welcome applications from qualified candidates from all backgrounds. Join us in making a difference while advancing the principles of sustainability, equality, and social well-being.

 

The Corporate Services Directorate (CS) delivers client-oriented, integrated services, to optimise the work environment and enable the CEB to deliver its mandate. As a business partner, CS supports a capable workforce that is digital and connected, in an adapted and safe working environment, and with efficient travel and visa services.  Within the Corporate Services Directorate, the Information Technology Division (CS-IT) provides quality IT services and innovative information technology solutions to support the Bank’s operations and to fulfil the Bank’s strategic objectives in an efficient and effective manner, continuously adapting to business needs.

 

The Information Technology Division is seeking a senior IT manager with strong experience in corporate applications and complex transformation projects. Reporting to the Head of Information Technology, the Head of Corporate Systems will set the direction for the Bank’s corporate systems, oversee major projects and ensure that critical applications support the Bank’s needs. The role also covers day-to-day operations, budgets, contracts, external providers and the organisation of the Corporate Systems team, while advising the Head of Information Technology on priorities, risks and future developments.

 

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES

 

Strategy, projects and business partnership

  • Set the direction and priorities for the Bank’s corporate systems and maintain a clear roadmap in line with business needs and the IT strategy.
  • Advise the Head of Information Technology on strategic choices, future developments, investments, resources, risks and dependencies.
  • Act as a trusted partner to the Directorates by understanding and, where appropriate, challenging requirements, helping simplify business processes, assessing options and agreeing clear priorities, suitable solutions and business ownership.
  • Oversee a portfolio of complex projects, including new systems, major upgrades, business process changes and the replacement of legacy tools.
  • Ensure projects are properly planned and delivered, with appropriate resources, budgets, risk management, documentation, testing, user preparation and change support.
  • Oversee major initiatives involving SAP S/4HANA, SAP SuccessFactors, SAP Concur, ServiceNow, e-signature and archiving tools, and communication platforms.
  • Ensure coordination across architecture, infrastructure, security, service desk and Directorates, and keep senior stakeholders informed about progress, decisions and risks.

 

Management of the Unit

  • Translate the IT Division’s priorities into clear objectives and work plans for the Unit and ensure timely and high-quality delivery.
  • Manage the Unit’s staff and resources, including workload planning, performance management, skills needs and continuity of key activities.
  • Ensure clear roles and responsibilities and effective cooperation across staff, consultants, project managers, integrators and support providers.
  • Monitor progress and address issues that may affect delivery, while ensuring knowledge sharing, up-to-date documentation and appropriate back-up arrangements.

 

Operations, governance and resources

  • Ensure that critical corporate applications are reliable, secure, well supported and properly documented, and that incidents, recurring problems and changes are addressed with minimal disruption to business activities.
  • Identify practical ways to improve systems and processes and ensure compliance with CEB standards for security, data protection, governance and audits.
  • Oversee calls for tender and the selection of solutions and service providers, and manage relationships with software suppliers, integrators, consultants and support providers.
  • Oversee contracts, renewals, deliverables, service levels, quality and costs, and address performance or delivery issues where necessary.
  • Plan and monitor the Corporate Systems multiannual budget, forecasts, commitments and expenditure, and flag budget risks early.
  • Prepare clear briefings, recommendations, dashboards and documents for the Head of Information Technology and relevant committees and ensure follow-up of decisions and actions.
  • Use meaningful indicators to monitor projects, service quality, risks, budgets, contracts and Unit capacity.
  • Maintain contacts with peers in other international organisations and financial institutions to share good practices and follow relevant IT developments.

 

PROFILE

 

Academic background:

 

  • Advanced university degree in information technology, computer science, information systems, engineering, business administration, project management or another relevant field.
  • A recognised project-management, IT service-management, enterprise applications or relevant vendor certification would be an asset.

 

Professional background:

 

  • At least eight years of relevant professional experience in corporate applications, information systems or complex IT environments, preferably gained in an international organisation, financial institution or similarly regulated environment.
  • Proven experience managing a team or organisational unit, including setting objectives, allocating work, managing performance and resources, and ensuring delivery.
  • Proven experience managing complex, cross-functional IT projects and application portfolios involving several business and technical teams.
  • Experience coordinating internal staff, consultants, project managers, integrators, software vendors and other external providers.
  • Strong knowledge of corporate systems and related business processes, ideally across several areas such as HR, Finance, Accounting, Budgeting, Purchasing, Travel and Expenses, IT service management, document and records management, or corporate communication platforms.
  • Good knowledge of SAP environments, particularly SAP S/4HANA, SAP SuccessFactors and SAP Concur. Experience with ServiceNow or comparable enterprise platforms would be an asset.
  • Experience in application support, incident and change management, system upgrades and the delivery of new solutions.
  • Experience with tenders, supplier and contract management, service levels, budgets and IT governance.
  • Ability to turn strategic objectives and business needs into clear priorities, practical plans and deliverable projects.
  • Strong judgement, analytical and problem-solving skills, with the ability to assess risks, make recommendations and manage several priorities.
  • Strong communication, negotiation and stakeholder-management skills, with the ability to explain complex technical and operational matters clearly to senior management and non-technical audiences.
  • Strong writing and presentation skills, together with diplomacy, discretion and the ability to work effectively in a multicultural environment.

 

Language skills:

 

  • Excellent command of one of the two CEB official languages (English and French), both oral and written, and knowledge of the other, with a commitment to reach a good working level.
  • Knowledge of one or more other Member State language(s) is an asset.

 

Core competencies:

 

  • Adaptability
  • Client Orientation
  • Communication
  • Innovation
  • Result Orientation
  • Team Work

 

Nationality:

 

  • Citizen of one of the Bank’s Member States: Albania, Andorra, Belgium, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Bulgaria, Croatia, Cyprus, Czech Republic, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Georgia, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Holy See, Iceland, Ireland, Italy, Kosovo, Latvia, Liechtenstein, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malta, Republic of Moldova, Montenegro, Netherlands, North Macedonia, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Romania, San Marino, Serbia, Slovak Republic, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, Türkiye and Ukraine.

 

EMPLOYMENT CONDITIONS

 

1) Initial 4-year contract (including a one-year probationary period) with the possibility of renewal one or more times up to six years and of conversion into an indefinite-term contract.

 

 

2) Grade and salary:

  • A3-A4
  • Depending on level of experience, monthly salary range starts between 9 442.63 EUR and 10 972.87 EUR, plus allowances based on eligibility, exempt from French income tax.
  • Appointment may be made at a lower grade, based on the qualifications and professional experience of the selected applicant.
  • Grades are established without any discrimination (including gender discrimination)

 

For more information, please consult the CEB Basic Salary Scale in section 5. Benefits of the CEB website

 

As an international financial institution, CEB remuneration is exempt from income tax in France. In addition, our offer includes allowances* based on family / personal situation, and medical and personal insurance. Staff members benefit from a contributory pension plan which provides them with either a pension or a leaving allowance.

 

* Exact benefit package to be determined based on selected candidate’s personal situation:

 

• basic family allowance

• expatriation

• dependent child supplement

• additional dependent child supplement for a single-parent family

• supplement for a disabled and dependent parent

• supplements for a disabled or severely disabled child

• education allowance (children) for expatriate staff members

• installation allowance and reimbursement of travel and removal expenses

 

RECRUITMENT CONDITIONS

 

The CEB welcomes the applications of all qualified candidates who are nationals of CEB Member States.

 

The CEB rigorously applies the principle of equal pay for equivalent work. We are committed to workplace gender equality and strive to ensure the recruitment of suitably qualified and experienced staff without regard to their gender, as well as their age, racial or ethnic origin, religion or beliefs, sexual orientation/identity, or disability. In line with peer international financial institutions, the CEB is EDGE certified (Move level), having demonstrated its commitment to diversity, equity, and inclusion, and has been assessed against the highest global standards.

 

Our selection process includes several steps conducted online, such as digitally recorded interviews, technical assignments and interactive panel interviews.

 

Applications (CV and cover letter) from CEB Member States candidates should be made in English or French using the Bank's online application system at CEB Careers before midnight Paris time on 09 November 2026.

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