Rio Tinto Chair in Stakeholder Engagement

Faculty Recruiting: IMD is seeking to appoint an outstanding academic as the Rio Tinto Chair in Stakeholder Engagement

Founded by business executives for business executives, the International Institute for Management Development (IMD) is an independent academic institute with campuses in Lausanne and Singapore as well as a Management Development Hub in Shenzhen. We strive to be the trusted learning partner of choice for ambitious individuals and organizations worldwide.
Our executive education and degree programs are consistently ranked among the world’s best by the Financial Times, Bloomberg, Forbes, and others. Our leading position in the field is grounded in our unique approach to creating real learning and real impact. Through our research, programs, and advisory work we enable business leaders to find new and better solutions. Our purpose is Challenging what is and inspiring what could be, we develop leaders and organizations that contribute to a more prosperous, sustainable and inclusive world.

To further enrich its faculty body, IMD invites applications for the position of the Rio Tinto Chair in Stakeholder Engagement.
IMD recruits world class faculty members who are thought leaders in their fields, have experience engaging with senior executives, and have a global mindset.

Academic environment

IMD has 60 faculty members with expertise on topics of management, leadership, accounting, economics, finance, operations, marketing, organizational behavior, strategy and entrepreneurship, innovation and more. IMD does not have departments by specializations or subject areas, nor a tenure system. There is just one rank of faculty (“Professor”). IMD professors create inspiring learning environments with and for senior executives by building on their scholarly knowledge, practical understanding of management, using executive level pedagogy and continuous innovation in the design of teaching materials and programs. IMD professors are strong team players committed to embodying IMD’s vision, mission and organizational values. As an academic institution, IMD’s proximity to the world of business and its experience of and focus on hands-on executive development and organizational transformation provides a deeply valuable resource for its research activities. IMD professors are committed to conducting rigorous, relevant, insightful and actionable research which leads to publications in top refereed and practitioner journals.

In 2021, Rio Tinto and IMD established The Rio Tinto Chair in Stakeholder Engagement. Professor David Bach was named as the inaugural chair holder. The Chair has become vacant upon Bach’s assumption of the IMD presidency in September 2024. The Chair aims to equip business leaders with the knowledge and skills needed to engage with a diverse set of stakeholders as they drive positive change for society and the planet. The donor does not set the Chair’s research agenda and the Chairholder enjoys the same academic freedom as all IMD professors.

The Rio Tinto Chair is a key pillar of IMD’s broader sustainability initiative. Sustainability has become central to IMD with (i) more faculty focused on sustainability, (ii) more research output, and (iii) more clients engaging with us around sustainable business transformation.

The Rio Tinto Chair forms part of the IMD Center for Sustainable and Inclusive Business, which partners with sustainability leaders to research and share innovative best practices that harness opportunities and mitigate risks. Its programs and research provide the insights needed for a complete business transformation journey through the lens of sustainability that will futureproof organizations, contribute to high performance, and benefit society.

The Center brings together a world-class team of faculty and researchers to meet the learning needs of businesses seeking sustainable transformation. With varying expertise in finance, strategy, political economy, marketing, entrepreneurship, ESG, organizational behavior, leadership, social innovation and digital strategy and ethics, IMD is well positioned to deliver a high impact programs and relevant research.

Job requirement

Successful candidate will need to be accomplished in crafting a research agenda that results in top-quality research publications and feel comfortable interacting with (senior) executives in a pedagogical setting. Commitment to working in a collegial and collaborative environment that emphasizes teamwork is essential. Key responsibilities include the following:

• Teaching: Program development, program direction, teaching & delivery, advisory activity.
• Research: Active engagement in thought leadership, including publication (peer-reviewed academic & practitioner journals and books) and development of pedagogical material (cases, simulations, and exercises).
• Client Engagement: Engaging with clients to develop program and advisory opportunities based on a deep understanding of business challenges.
• Citizenship: Active contribution to peer development, institution-building and governance.
• Donor engagement: The Chairholder is expected to regularly (1-2 times per year) engage with the donor and thereby support stewardship objectives.

Applicant profile

Successful candidate needs to have:

• A doctorate in an academic area relevant to the field of stakeholder engagement from well-regarded research institution.
• An established research profile in the area of stakeholder management, stakeholder engagement etc. evidenced by publications in respected peer-reviewed journals.
• A strong teaching record and a commitment to teaching excellence and innovation that is consistent with the demands of modern business education.

Industry engagement or some direct business experience is desirable. The ability to teach in English is a must; experience living or working in multiple countries is a plus. Candidates should have excellent communication, organisation and interpersonal skills, with the ability to work independently as well as part of a team.

What we offer

IMD offers a competitive salary as well as an attractive package consisting of a generous research budget and research- and administrative assistance. Moreover, our modern campuses provide faculty with a state-of-the-art teaching and high-quality research infrastructure. IMD is an equal opportunity employer and particularly welcomes applications from individuals with diverse backgrounds. IMD facilities new faculty recruits and their families with generous relocation and integration support. Furthermore, faculty members have opportunities for personal and professional development throughout their appointment at IMD.

How to apply

Applications should consist of the following: a cover letter explaining interest and fit; a full curriculum vitae, including a complete list of publications and teaching experience; a research statement and a teaching statement; photocopy of doctoral degree; and contact details of at least three references (names, email addresses, positions and contact phone numbers). The application should be submitted in electronic form (MS Word or PDF file) to Mr. Douglas Gossett (e-mail: douglas.gossett@imd.org SUBJECT: “RIO TINTO”). The applications will be reviewed on the rolling basis and the post will remain open until filled.

For more information about IMD please visit https://www.imd.org/