Director General of UNIFEThe European Rail Industry
03 About UNIFE05 What You’ll Do06 Recruitment Process
UNIFE has represented the European railsupply industry since 1992. The associationbrings together more than 114 of the leadingLarge as well as Small and Medium-sized railsupply companies in Europe that are activein the design, manufacturing, maintenanceand refurbishment of rail transport systems,subsystems and related rail equipment.UNIFE works also with 12 National rail industryassociations as associate members.
UNIFE represents its members’ interests at the level of bothEuropean and international associations. On the technical side,UNIFE works on interoperability standards with the 4Th railwaypackage and on European Rail Traffic Management System(ERTMS) deployment together with the European Rail Agency(ERA), and coordinates EU Funded research projects within theprogram. The association promotes the certification of railwaysuppliers globally, regarding business quality management, thefurther development of the standard and its recognition alongthe entire value chain.
On the political side, UNIFE works on current policy proposalsin the European Union where the association developspositions and advises the European Commission, the EuropeanParliament, and EU Member States. UNIFE also works on anumber of its own initiatives such as rail investments and fundingin EU Member States, and in other parts of the world through theGlobal Gateway Initiative. UNIFE has always been extremelyactive on trade policy instruments to further the business interestof member companies around the world.
UNIFE employs 24 staff including consultants and interns. Theoffice is located in Brussels, on 221 avenue Louise.
The incumbent Director General has announced his forthcomingdeparture. With a view to organising a smooth transition for theassociation, UNIFE is looking for a successor.
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03 Dober Partners Director General of UNIFE I The European Rail Industry
Characteristics of the position and requirements are as follows:
Reporting line and Organisation
The Director General reports to the Presiding Board and theChair of UNIFE
Responsibilities
The Director General is responsible for the overall generalmanagement of the association, including but not limited to the:
– follow-up of all topics related to the 4th Railway package and tothe Green Deal
– application and follow-up of Europe’s Rail JU research activities
– promotion of ERTMS and in the future FRMCS
– influencing of EU policymaking for a business environmentfavourable to the rail supply industry including SMEs
– shaping EU funding priorities to ensure EU funding for rail projects& communicating about funding developments and opportunities
– development and execution of UNIFE own initiative like skills andwomen in transport
– management of the UNIFE budget
External Role
The position requires a strong networker, able to build stronginternational relationships with:
– The European Commission and EU agencies including ERA,ENISA and CINEA, as well as Members of the EuropeanParliament and representatives from EU Member States
– Other rail sector and rail stakeholder organisations basedin Brussels
The Director General understands the potential impact on theindustry of upcoming railway regulation and translates it towardsUNIFE members into concrete opportunities, challenges, or threatsand respective timetables. The Director General also launchesinitiatives to improve the business environment for UNIFE membersthrough political undertakings.
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04 Dober Partners Director General of UNIFE I The European Rail Industry
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05 Dober Partners Director General of UNIFE I The European Rail Industry
Internal role
Within the association and towards UNIFEmembers, the Director General:
– leads, maintains and develops a team tosupport the association in its daily tasks
– coordinates the activities of the numerousUNIFE Committees with the UNIFE staff
– organises working group meetings andconferences on important topics, a yearlyGeneral Assembly and special eventswhere useful and necessary
– listens and understands issues and mattersof concern, barriers to business growth orstructural difficulties within the industry;and considers such input when drafting theaccompanying work program
– acts as an advisor and gives membercompanies early indications on upcomingregulations which will affect the railsupply industry
– monitors the Communication policy ofUNIFE, through social media, the pressand other tools of communication.
Capabilities
The UNIFE Director General is consideredwithin the EU Institutions, among peersand other relevant stakeholders as anundisputed leader and representative ofthe European rail supply industry, meetingthe highest standards of personal integrityand professionalism. The Director General isconsidered by EU policy makers and related
stakeholders as a trusted advisor in allsubjects related to rail transport and, morespecifically, the rail supply industry.
The following capabilities allow the DirectorGeneral to achieve this standing:
– Proven skills in leadership of UNIFE staffand communication with UNIFE members
– Seniority and experience in differentprofessional environments
in public and presentation duringconferences and seminars
– Outgoing personality, enjoyingcommunicating and engagingwith people
– Fluency in English and good commandof, at least one more importantGerman, Spanish)
Experience and Knowledge
– Professional background and experiencein a leadership role in a sector with aconnection to transport (for instancemanufacturing, ideally with exposure tothe rail or rail supply industry)
– Working experience in lobbying and/orwith the European institutions
– University degree or comparable
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ss The specialist Executive Search firm, Dober Partners has been retainedto draw up a shortlist of prospectivecandidates against the criteria set outin this document. They will use theirdiscretion and expertise to help recruit anew Director General of UNIFE, togetherwith the Selection Committee and Boardof the association.
To apply please send your CV to:
Mark Dober
M: +32 477 950 466
M: +32 488 945 579natalia@doberpartners.com
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