AD14 EU Jobs — 1 Vacancies 2026

About AD14 positions, requirements, and career path

What is a AD14 Position?

AD14 is the Director grade in the EU institutions, just below Director-General. Directors manage a Directorate composed of three to seven Units, typically supervising eighty to two hundred staff, and report directly to the Director-General or Deputy Director-General. They set strategic priorities, approve legislative initiatives before they reach the College of Commissioners, and represent the institution in high-level Council and European Parliament discussions. The current AD14 basic monthly salary ranges from approximately EUR 12,141 to EUR 13,381 gross per month, before allowances. With expatriation allowance, household allowance, and other entitlements, total gross compensation typically exceeds EUR 15,000 per month. Directors also receive a representation allowance in certain institutions.

How to Get a AD14 Position

AD14 positions are filled through the senior management selection procedure, which is overseen by the Consultative Committee on Appointments (CCA) at the European Commission, with equivalent procedures at the Council, Parliament, and EEAS. The procedure includes publication of the vacancy on the official Career portal, a written application addressing leadership competencies, a pre-selection by the CCA, an assessment centre run by an external provider, structured interviews, and a final decision by the College of Commissioners. Candidates must already hold AD13 or AD14, or be external candidates with equivalent senior experience (typically twenty years of professional experience including significant senior management). External recruitment at Director level happens periodically, particularly for technical regulators.

AD14 Career Progression

From AD14, the next step is AD15 (Director-General or Deputy Director-General) and ultimately AD16 (Director-General of a major DG). Director-General appointments are political-administrative decisions taken by the College and typically involve a mobility move between DGs. Many Directors also pursue secondments to international organisations (OECD, IMF, UN agencies) at AD14 or AD15 level. After leaving the institutions, AD14 officials often move into senior roles in member-state administrations, regulatory bodies, or the private sector subject to a two-year cooling-off period under Article 16 of the Staff Regulations.

Requirements

A university degree plus substantial senior management experience, typically twenty years of relevant post-graduate experience including at least five years at AD13 or equivalent. Demonstrated strategic leadership, budget management of large programmes, and proven ability to represent the EU in high-level political settings are essential. Fluency in English and French at C1 is effectively required, with a third language strongly preferred. Directors must pass the highest level of security clearance (EU SECRET or EU TOP SECRET) for positions handling sensitive files.

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