At the heart of research, teaching, and technology transfer at the Hamburg University of Technology (TUHH) is the commitment to developing “technology for people.” The TUHH combines scientific excellence, technological expertise, and social responsibility, and—with approximately 7,500 students, about 110 professors, and around 1,600 staff members—is one of northern Germany’s leading academic drivers of innovation. Interdisciplinarity, innovation, internationality, and close ties to Hamburg as a hub for business and innovation define its profile. The demands placed on the communication efforts of scientific institutions are growing: research findings, future-oriented technological issues, and outstanding individuals must be communicated in a visible, understandable, and effective manner to the public, the scientific community, policymakers, and the business sector. Against this backdrop, the TUHH’s institutional communication strategy is to be further developed, and its national and international visibility is to be sustainably strengthened.
As part of its strategic development, the TUHH is seeking an experienced, academically qualified, and creatively driven leader for the position of
Your responsibilities will include:
In this high-profile leadership position, you will report directly to the
President and be part of the university’s
expanded administrative leadership team. You will be responsible for the TUHH’s institutional communications
and will further develop them into an integrated, modern, and
impact-oriented university communications strategy. Together with the
Presidential Board, you will sharpen the TUHH’s communication profile, define
key themes and messages, and translate strategy,
academic profile, and institutional identity into a
compelling communication framework. You will enhance national and
international visibility, highlight research achievements and
outstanding scholars, and advise the Executive Board on all
communication matters. Press, media, and public relations
You will proactively develop these areas, expand journalistic networks,
and provide support for interviews, public appearances, and sensitive or
crisis-related issues. A particular focus is on
science communication: You’ll translate complex research and technology topics
into understandable, engaging, and scientifically
accurate stories and formats. You will integrate the website, social media, and audiovisual
channels into a consistent communication system;
you will leverage new opportunities—including data-driven communication and AI—
in an impact-oriented manner. In addition, you will support collaborations,
knowledge transfer activities, and major events; further develop
internal communications; and assume professional, personnel, and
organizational leadership of your team. In doing so, you will combine clear priorities
and professional processes with personal responsibility, creativity, and
an appreciative leadership culture. As a strategic liaison,
you will engage the academic and administrative communities in pursuing shared communication
goals and ensure clear, reliable collaboration across
organizational boundaries. In doing so, you’ll ensure active,
trend-setting communication and bring the TUHH brand to life across all relevant
channels.
Your Profile / Range of Experience:
You have successfully completed a college degree, e.g.,
in communication, media, political science, social sciences, humanities, or
economics, journalism, or a comparable
field; a background in the natural sciences or
engineering combined with extensive
professional communication experience is also a possibility. You have several years of
relevant professional experience in a demanding
communications role, ideally already with leadership and
management responsibilities—preferably from comparable environments
such as universities, scientific and research centers, or
research-intensive companies. We are also interested in resumes that
combine the aforementioned fields. You are a communications generalist with
strategic expertise and solid operational experience in press,
media, and public relations; digital
communication and social media; content strategies; as well as internal and change communication;
experience in science, research, technology, or
innovation communication is particularly welcome. You quickly grasp
complex content, possess journalistic instincts and strong
linguistic and editorial skills, and can convey scientific
content in a way that is tailored to the target audience. When interacting with the Executive Board,
professors, researchers, administrative staff, and
colleagues, students, the media, politicians, business leaders, and other
stakeholders, you impress with your institutional sensitivity,
consulting expertise, personal presence, and diplomatic skills. As a
leader, you combine respect with
decision-making ability, foster personal responsibility, and establish clear
quality and performance standards. Strategic thinking,
a drive to shape the future, digital affinity, resilience, a team-oriented mindset,
reliability, and personal integrity round out your profile. In addition,
you are characterized by a positive attitude and optimism that
inspires others.
The compensation for the Head of the Communications Department corresponds to
pay grade E 15 under the TV-L (permanent contract / full-time).
Note regarding the standard inquiry pursuant to § 34a of the Hamburg
Security Clearance Act: The department will submit a request on behalf of the
candidate selected in the
selection process to the State Office for
Constitutional Protection regarding any information on file there, provided the
legal requirements are met (Information on the standard inquiry: |
Privacy Policy: ).
The TUHH values diversity and welcomes applications from all individuals,
regardless of gender and gender identity, ethnic
origin and nationality, age, religion and worldview, disability,
sexual orientation and identity, or social background.