Executive PhD Programme Coordinator

Executive PhD Programme Coordinator

Do you want to ensure the smooth coordination of the executive PhD journey for professionals with academic ambitions? Do you enjoy being the steady force behind a complex, long-term programme? Are you interested in supporting our doctoral community? Let’s talk!

EXECUTIVE PHD PROGRAMME COORDINATOR

Vlerick Business School is an innovative, top-ranked and sustainable international business school in the heart of Europe – with a solid scientific foundation that provides the backbone for knowledge with lasting impact. Our purpose is to transform people for a better world! We strive to create a transformative experience where people develop the knowledge, mindset and confidence to take their next leap – and become the entrepreneurial leaders our world needs.

As part of our Research Dean’s Office, you will help bring this purpose to life. Are you excited to join our research team as an Executive PhD Programme Coordinator? Here’s what you need to know.

Your mission

As Executive PhD Programme Coordinator, you ensure the seamless coordination, quality and compliance of Vlerick’s Executive PhD programme – a doctoral trajectory developed in close collaboration with our parent universities. You act as the stable point of contact for all stakeholders and safeguard the administrative and operational backbone of the programme. Given the regulatory framework, long programme duration and senior participant profile, this role requires a high degree of autonomy, judgement and ownership.

More concretely, you will:

• Act as the primary SPOC for all programme-related questions from participants, supervisors, faculty, partner universities and internal colleagues.
• Closely follow up admissions, in alignment with the Customer Relations Manager and relevant stakeholders.
• Oversee all administrative steps related to enrolment at Vlerick and the partner universities.
• Coordinate the full doctoral journey: coursework tracking, doctoral assignments, supervisor matching, milestone follow-up and administrative processes up to final defence.
• Organise courses, cohort activities and community-building events, ensuring participants are embedded in the broader Vlerick research environment.
• Contribute to the continuous improvement of the programme in close collaboration with the academic director and research manager.
• Contribute to the research events calendar for the Vlerick research community and oversee the communication actions and operational logistics of research activities.

You

You combine strong administrative and organisational skills with an affinity for academic environments and a service-oriented mindset. You recognise yourself in the following profile:

• Have obtained a master’s degree and have a minimum of 3 years of relevant work experience. Earlier experience in an academic environment is a plus.
• Are capable to independently run the administrative engine of a multi‑year trajectory, including planning, event and course coordination, invoicing, and follow‑up of operational details.
• Understand what a PhD trajectory implies in terms of academic processes, regulations, milestones, and documentation - without requiring subject‑matter expertise or research‑guidance responsibilities.
• Are able to manage diverse multi‑step processes with high accuracy and reliability.
• Like connecting with different stakeholders and building bridges.
• Are resilient and have a service mindset.
• Have high‑quality communication skills (written & oral), primarily in English. Knowledge of Dutch is a plus.
• Have a proactive and entrepreneurial attitude and networking and community‑building skills.
• Will be located on our beautiful campus in Ghent or Brussels, in combination with your home office.

#ProudtobeVlerick

• Autonomy and responsibility in an engaging work environment.
• A dynamic, open, and international company culture.
• Opportunities for professional and personal growth.
• A team of enthusiastic, driven colleagues, passionate about learning.
• Flexibility: 30+ holiday days, working from home, a flexible benefits system, etc.
• Meal vouchers, an hospitalisation insurance, a group insurance, and a mobility budget.
• Having a real impact and inspire people to live, learn and leap!

At Vlerick, openness to the world is part of our DNA. We are continuously working towards being a truly diverse, equitable and inclusive place to work and learn at. So, no matter who you are, where you come from, or what your dreams are, we are looking forward to receiving your application.

Take the leap!

If you think you meet these criteria, please apply with your resume and motivation letter on our website. Happy to give you more information on the job content: eva.cools@vlerick.com or the selection process and working at Vlerick: charlotte.mahieu@vlerick.com.