Vice Presidency for Operations (VPO)
View of the EPFL Esplanade © Alain Herzog / EPFL 2018
Introduction
The Vice Presidency for Operations (VPO) strives to ensure that all EPFL employees are able to develop their potential and that the School is equipped with smart, sustainable campuses where there is a strong culture of knowledge sharing among users.
To reach this goal, the VPO works closely with the researchers, students and staff on the various campuses, as these individuals are its best customers, in order to achieve the highest possible standards of service and, in doing so, support EPFL in its pursuit of excellence.
Organizational structure
The Vice Presidency for Operations consists of five departments along with an Office of the Vice Presidency for Operations, each with the following responsibilities:
Development & Construction Department
Head: Franco Vigliotti
- Managing relationships with local authorities, cantonal authorities, the federal government and other local partners in projects to develop EPFL campuses
- Overseeing operations at EPFL’s satellite campuses in Fribourg, Geneva, Neuchâtel, Valais and the Emirate of Ras Al Khaimah
- Planning and overseeing construction and renovation work, and managing premises and leases
- Organizing catering provision
Safety, Security & Operations Department
Head: Eric Du Pasquier
- Handling emergencies and overseeing occupational health and safety matters
- Managing access control and the physical security of people and facilities
- Maintaining buildings and technical facilities and coordinating building alteration work
- Providing caretaking, audiovisual and printing services
Human Resources Department
Head: Claudia Noth
- Managing relations with all the organization’s stakeholders
- Identifying EPFL’s HR needs and supporting employees’ development and contribution
- Providing personal support to employees and ensuring equitable treatment
Information Systems Department
Head: Rafael Corvalán
- Setting up and managing data security systems
- Implementing digitalization projects
- Planning, developing and maintaining the School’s IT assets
Procurement Department
Head: Elvis Fontaine
- Organizing and managing public calls for tenders and negotiating with suppliers
- Managing EPFL’s cross-departmental procurement processes
- Setting up framework procurement agreements and purchasing catalogues
Office of the Vice Presidency for Operations
Manager: Antoinette Musard
- Collecting the necessary information for operations-related decisions and following up on those decisions
- Maintaining consistency of message
- Coordinating crosscutting organizational projects
- Developing and managing performance indicators for the VPO’s services and user satisfaction
