Director of Research Development

Position VONGSTAAD is establishing its institutional presence in Brussels and is structured around the development of serious research, knowledge, technology, and professional collaboration. The Founder & Executive Director holds ultimate responsibility for the organisation’s institutional direction, intellectual standards, strategic development, governance, and long-term coherence. This is a position of substantial responsibility. It requires the exercise of independent judgment, intellectual discipline, discretion, and the capacity to establish standards capable of governing an organisation as it develops. The successful holder will be expected to act in the long-term interests of VONGSTAAD and to preserve the distinction between substantive work, institutional judgment, commercial considerations, and public communication. Principal responsibilities The Founder & Executive Director shall:
- establish and maintain the strategic direction of VONGSTAAD and determine its principal institutional priorities;
- define and uphold the standards governing research, analytical work, technological development, publications, partnerships, and commercial activity;
- supervise the development of the organisation’s research and intellectual programmes;
- determine the conditions under which research, models, systems, publications, and other institutional work are developed, reviewed, released, maintained, or discontinued;
- appoint, supervise, and evaluate senior personnel and establish appropriate lines of responsibility and accountability;
- ensure that material institutional decisions are supported by adequate evidence, considered judgment, and appropriate review;
- maintain the independence and intellectual integrity of the organisation while ensuring that its activities remain commercially and operationally viable;
- establish relationships with institutions, researchers, professional organisations, businesses, universities, and other parties whose participation may contribute materially to VONGSTAAD;
- oversee the development of the organisation’s commercial and institutional activities, including research access, subscriptions, licensing, partnerships, and other forms of professional engagement;
- determine the principles governing the admission of contributors, partners, clients, and institutional relationships;
- represent VONGSTAAD in matters of substantial institutional importance;
- ensure that public statements made on behalf of VONGSTAAD are accurate, considered, proportionate, and consistent with the organisation’s standards;
- maintain appropriate governance, documentation, confidentiality, intellectual-property, contractual, and compliance practices;
- allocate organisational resources according to clearly established priorities;
- establish mechanisms for internal review, quality assurance, and accountability;
- protect the continuity, reputation, and institutional independence of VONGSTAAD as it develops. Standard of appointment VONGSTAAD places particular weight on judgment, intellectual integrity, analytical discipline, discretion, and demonstrated capacity to build substantive work . Academic credentials, professional experience, entrepreneurial experience, research experience, or institutional experience may each be relevant. No single conventional career path is prescribed where the candidate can demonstrate exceptional aptitude and a record of work commensurate with the responsibilities of the position. The role requires the ability to distinguish evidence from assertion, material substance from presentation, and durable institutional value from short-term attention. Candidates should be capable of operating across research, technology, institutional affairs, and commercial considerations while preserving appropriate standards within each domain. Working arrangements The principal place of work will be Brussels, Belgium . VONGSTAAD welcomes applications from candidates worldwide. Any appointment requiring physical presence in Belgium shall be conditional upon the candidate possessing, or being lawfully able to obtain, the immigration status, residence rights, work authorisation, and other permissions required under applicable Belgian and European law. Remote working may be considered in exceptional circumstances where the candidate demonstrates exceptional aptitude, substantial relevant capability, and a level of independence compatible with the responsibilities of the position . Any remote arrangement remains subject to applicable employment, immigration, tax, social-security, data-protection, and other legal requirements. Compensation The position is full-time and remunerated on terms commensurate with the responsibilities of the office, the candidate’s qualifications and experience, and the scope of the mandate. Compensation, benefits, and any applicable variable or equity arrangements will be determined as part of the appointment process and documented in the applicable contractual arrangements. Selection process VONGSTAAD intends to conduct a substantive selection process. Depending upon the position and the candidate’s background, this may include: 1. review of the application and professional record; 2. an initial discussion concerning experience, aptitude, and suitability; 3. a substantive interview concerning judgment, methodology, institutional standards, and the responsibilities of the role; 4. additional discussions or assessment where reasonably necessary; 5. reference or professional verification where appropriate; 6. final consideration and formal offer. VONGSTAAD reserves the right to adapt the process where the circumstances of a particular appointment reasonably require it. Applicant privacy Applicant information will be processed solely for legitimate recruitment, assessment, appointment, and related administrative purposes and handled in accordance with applicable data-protection law. Candidates should provide information relevant to the assessment of their application and should not submit confidential information belonging to a third party.
- VONGSTAAD seeks individuals whose standard of work is commensurate with the standard of the institution they are joining.