Deputy Head of the Independent Internal Investigations Division

Remote | Frankfurt

Organization: ECB - European Central Bank
Location: Remote | Frankfurt
Grade:
Occupational Groups:
- Internal audit, Investigation and Inspection
- Managerial positions
Closing Date: 2025-09-01

General Information

Type of contract Fixed-term contract which may be converted into a permanent contract after five years subject to individual performance and organisational needs

Who can apply? EU nationals

Salary I (bracket 1 - step 1) full time monthly net salary: €8,746 plus benefits, for further information see what we offer.

Role specialisation Leadership

Working time Full time

Place of work Frankfurt am Main, Germany

Closing date 01.09.2025

Your team

You will be part of the Independent Internal Investigations Division in the Directorate Internal Audit. Our Directorate has around 60 staff members providing internal audit services and conducting administrative inquiries.

The Division is responsible for all investigative activities, including evaluating reported breaches of the ECB’s Ethics Framework. It is committed to carrying out investigations in a timely and effective manner, guided by a human-centric approach that promotes fairness, transparency and support for all staff involved.

In this role, you will work closely with the Head of Division to lead and inspire the Division’s staff. Your responsibilities will include coordinating all internal investigative processes and supporting the Head of Division in managing internal and external stakeholders. You will also foster constructive relationships with key business areas across the ECB and develop strong ties with the broader European and international investigative community, including the European Public Prosecutor’s Office (EPPO) and the European Anti-Fraud Office (OLAF).

The ECB is an inclusive employer, and we strive to reflect the diversity of the population we serve. We encourage you to apply irrespective of age, disability, ethnicity, gender, gender identity, race, religious beliefs, sexual orientation or other characteristics.

Your role

As Deputy Head of the Independent Internal Investigations Division, you will:

oversee all investigative processes to ensure they are carried out efficiently, fairly and with a human-centric approach;
coach and mentor team members, encouraging professional development, fostering strong leadership behaviour and promoting a culture of continuous learning to ensure that the Division is aware of evolving jurisprudence and the latest developments in the field of investigations;
promote an agile, engaged and healthy work environment where staff can thrive, using a change management mindset to support staff in their development;
deliver transparent, fair and supportive investigative processes through clear and effective communication, engaging proactively with internal and external stakeholders, offering well-founded guidance to senior management and integrating feedback where appropriate;
champion diversity and inclusion by promoting diverse perspectives and inclusive practices to enhance decision-making and ensure investigations are meaningful, balanced and relevant across the organisation.

For this role we are seeking candidates who demonstrate the potential for growth, and we will support the selected candidate in their development of the required skills.

The position offers you an excellent opportunity to shape the internal investigative processes at the ECB and contribute to a fair workplace. You will be part of a multicultural team that strives for continuous innovation to make a positive impact on the lives of European citizens.

Qualifications, experience and skills

Essential:

a master’s degree or equivalent in law or another relevant field (see How you can join us for details on degree equivalences);
in addition to the above, a minimum of three years of professional experience in supervising or coordinating investigations;
at least five years’ experience in leading, coordinating, motivating and developing diverse teams, and in attracting and retaining diverse talent;
a track record in steering transformational change and driving strategic improvements while fostering a collaborative and solution-oriented mindset;
strong communication and stakeholder management skills, including the ability to translate complex issues into clear recommendations;
an advanced (C1) command of English and an intermediate (B1) command of at least one other official language of the EU, according to the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages.

Desired:

a sound knowledge of EU civil service law or European employment law and related case-law and doctrine;
a sound knowledge of data protection;
experience working in European institutions or agencies.

You engage collaboratively with others. You pursue team goals and can draw on the strengths of a diverse team to get the best results. You support the efforts of team members to develop their abilities and are able to build up high-performing teams. You facilitate change and can articulate strategic priorities and scenarios for your team. You are highly motivated to guide teams in their daily work and support their professional development.

Further information

For additional information on this specific vacancy, you can speak to Carin Pronk, on +49 175 2296941 between 11:00 and 12:00 on Thursday, 21 August.

Application and selection process

The recruitment process for this position will be conducted in part remotely. It may include a pre-recorded video interview in the pre-selection phase and – if you are invited to participate in the subsequent selection phase – a written exercise, a presentation and an interview. The selection procedure will also include a separate assessment of your leadership competencies.

If you are not selected for this position but are still considered suitable, you will be placed on a reserve list (see step 4 of How we hire), from which you might be considered for similar positions within the ECB.

Find out how to apply for a position at the ECB.