EMA Executive Director Recruitment: Leading the Future of Medicines Regulation

The EMA Executive Director Recruitment procedure has opened, a pivotal role overseeing operations like medicine authorizations, safety monitoring, and EU-wide public health responses. This vacancy, with reference COM/2026/20118, reports to the EMA Management Board, managing a 2025 budget of about EUR 600 million and 900 staff in a multilingual, multicultural setting in Amsterdam. As a Temporary Agent at grade AD 14, it offers a five-year renewable mandate under Regulation (EC) No 726/2004, seeking candidates with deep management expertise.

Core Leadership Duties

The Executive Director’s responsibilities include daily administration, staff leadership, strategic planning, budget management, and stakeholder relations that support EMA’s scientific and regulatory work. Selection emphasizes proven skills in managing large teams through changes like digital transformation, upholding multidisciplinary scientific evaluations, and advancing EMA’s global mission. Required expertise covers EU medicines laws, risk analysis (assessment, management, communication), and finances, plus strengths in healthcare sciences or pharmacology from public roles engaging pharma. This enables oversight of controls and partnerships with EU bodies, Member States, and international allies. Learn more in the official recruitment notice. Applications close 19 March 2026 via the EU portal