European Commission Seeks New Boss for Translation Centre

The European Commission has published a vacancy notice for the position of Director of the Translation Centre for the Bodies of the European Union, with applications due by 12:00 (Brussels time) on March 19, 2026.

The Luxembourg-based Translation Centre is a decentralized EU agency providing translation and related language services to EU agencies, bodies, and institutions in all 24 official EU languages. With around 200 staff, it serves more than 70 clients. 

The Centre also works closely with other EU language services to coordinate processes, tools, and shared best practices across the EU’s translation ecosystem.

The Director will act as the Centre’s legal representative and report to its Management Board. Core responsibilities include the overall strategic and operational management, oversight of internal control and management systems, leadership of staff, preparation and implementation of the Centre’s budget, and delivery of the Centre’s strategy and annual work programs, including performance reporting and ensuring sound financial management.

In addition, the Director is expected to develop the Centre’s business model in response to client needs, language industry trends, and technological developments in translation and related language services. The position also includes representing the agency in interinstitutional and international contexts.

Candidates must be citizens of an EU Member State and have at least five years of high-level management experience. They must demonstrate a thorough knowledge of one official EU language and a satisfactory knowledge of another. 

According to the vacancy notice, the Commission is seeking an outstanding and dynamic professional with proven ability to manage a large organization at both strategic and operational levels, including leading sizeable teams in a multicultural and multilingual environment. 

Candidates are expected to have hands-on experience in budgetary, financial, and human resources management, strong negotiation skills, the ability to engage at a senior level with EU institutions and public authorities, and a thorough understanding of EU administrative and financial procedures.

Familiarity with the language industry and technological developments in the sector is also required.

The Director will be appointed by the Centre’s Management Board from a shortlist prepared by the European Commission. The mandate is five years and may be renewed in accordance with the applicable rules. Candidates must be able to complete the full term before reaching the retirement age of 66.

Applications must be submitted online via the Commission’s senior management vacancies portal.

The full vacancy notice, including details on eligibility, selection criteria, and application procedures, is published in all official EU languages in the Official Journal of the European Union.