Call for applications: Executive Director of the EAU Organisation for Research and Innovation

The vision is clear and compelling: to bring scientific opportunity, clinical trials, real-world evidence, translational research, biobanking, grant acquisition, patient priorities and policy impact together within a single strategic ecosystem. By uniting these strands and harnessing the power of the EAU UroEvidenceHub, the platform aims to accelerate discovery, improve patient outcomes and quality of life, and tackle some of the most important unanswered questions in urology.

Crucially, this is not about replacing what already exists. It is about amplifying it. The platform will strengthen collaboration, connect expertise across the entire EAU community, and provide the infrastructure to coordinate research at a scale that individual centres or national groups often cannot reach alone. Working hand in hand with existing EAU research and evidence-generation initiatives, it will help transform promising ideas into real impact for patients and healthcare systems.

This ecosystem will grow in a phased, pragmatic way. The first priority is establishing a Clinical Trials Unit capable of supporting and coordinating pan-European clinical research. From there, the platform will expand—forging stronger links between clinical trials, registries, real-world evidence, translational science, funding opportunities and future research initiatives.

At its heart, this initiative reflects a core EAU conviction: the future of urological research depends on collaboration, scientific excellence, and the ability to unite researchers, clinicians, patients, institutions and partners around shared goals. By investing in a sustainable research ecosystem today, the EAU is creating opportunities that will benefit the European urological community for years to come.

To lead this transformation, the EAU is seeking an Executive Director. This is a pivotal role focusing on shaping strategy, establishing the Clinical Trials Unit, and building a platform capable of delivering high-impact research across Europe.

The Executive Director should:

• Lead the definition, implementation and monitoring of the Organisation's strategy.
• Lead the first-phase implementation of the Clinical Trials Unit, including composition of the initial CTU group, development of the Oncology and Non-Oncology business units, and preparation of a clinical-trials business plan with Executive Board and senior staff.
• Take an active role in acquiring clinical studies and registries, including the development of joint structures with pan-European clinical trial groups.
• Prepare the CTU for leadership transition by developing people, processes and decision structures so that a dedicated CTU lead could take over day-to-day unit leadership when operational maturity criteria are met.
• Oversee the progress of clinical studies and real world evidence generation projects, ensuring that agreed milestones, quality standards and budgets are monitored.
• Represent the Organisation to stakeholders and lead its external positioning and public relations.
• Collaborate with EAU structures involved in research, including the UroEvidenceHub (UEH), the Guidelines Office, Policy Office, Patient Office, Young Academic Urologists, Section Office and other relevant EAU bodies.
• Oversee the Organisation's financial operations, including budgeting, financial monitoring and reporting.
• Report regularly to the Supervisory Board and, where applicable, the EAU Board on past activity, current delivery, future plans, risks and finances.

The Executive Director should be able to demonstrate:

• EAU Active Member status, a high-profile scientific track record and proven leadership in academic urology.
• A strong interest in the acquisition and implementation of clinical trials, translational research, real world evidence generation and grant funding.
• Understanding of, and experience with, comprehensive cohort trial design.
• A sound understanding of the needs and operating requirements of industry partners.
• A proven record as principal investigator in pharmaceutical and non-pharmaceutical multicentre, multinational trials.
• Understanding of UEH's vision and objectives, and the ability to strengthen complementarity between UEH and the Organisation.
• Understanding of basic science research and its connection to translational and clinical research.
• Strong operational and team-leadership skills, combined with strategic vision, diplomacy, flexibility and resilience under pressure.
• Ability to build a new unit from a focused starting point, develop a capable expert group and delegate operational leadership once the unit is mature.
• Communication and language skills suited to a multicultural, international stakeholder environment.
• Compliance with applicable laws, regulations, bylaws, policies and the EAU Code of Ethics.
• Experience working with or for the EAU, demonstrated commitment to the EAU, and the ability to prioritise EAU and stakeholder needs.
• Availability to commit at least two days per week to the role.
• Willingness to travel to international trial group meetings, industry meetings, EAU Annual Congresses and other important EAU or internationally relevant meetings.

Candidates should be based in Europe.