New University Director at the University of Southern Denmark
Following a recommendation from Rector Jens Ringsmose, the SDU Board of Governors has decided to appoint Simon Krogh as the new University Director. He joins from a position as Group Director at the Employment and Social Services Department of Odense Municipality and will take up the position on 1 September 2026.
As University Director, Simon Krogh will be responsible for SDU’s administration and will also be a member of the executive board.
Rector Jens Ringsmose welcomes the appointment.
– SDU is a university with great ambitions. We want to be known for excellent research, attractive learning environments and strong partnerships with the wider community. To achieve this, it is crucial that we have a strong, professional and development-oriented administration that supports the university’s core tasks. Simon Krogh has solid senior management experience, strong skills in strategic development and is accustomed to navigating a complex, politically governed organisation. These will be key skills in the continued development of SDU’s organisation and administration, and I am very much looking forward to working with him, says Jens Ringsmose.
Creating the best framework for research and education
As University Director, Simon Krogh will be responsible for leading and developing the university’s administration, with a focus on high academic standards, good service, clear guidance and well-defined priorities across the organisation. The aim is to support cohesion across SDU. The role also involves responsibility for financial management, governance and the continued development of the university’s administrative support. At the same time, the university faces a number of significant development challenges. These include the establishment of a new campus in Vejle, the further development of study administration, and efforts to strengthen administrative processes through digitalisation, artificial intelligence and better use of data.
Will contribute to SDU’s continued development
The incoming University Director is looking forward to becoming part of SDU’s senior management team and to working closely with staff and managers across the university.
– SDU is an ambitious university with strong academic environments and a clear ambition to create value for society through research and education. I look forward to contributing to SDU’s continued development together with staff and managers across the organisation and in close collaboration with the university’s external partners. Fundamentally, it is about ensuring that, through strong collaboration across the faculty administrations and the Central Administration, we continue to create the best possible framework for the university’s core mission and help ensure that staff, students and managers can spend their time where it creates the greatest value, says Simon Krogh.
Facts
Simon Krogh has held senior management positions in Odense Municipality for a number of years and has been Group Director of the Employment and Social Services Department since 2019.
He graduated with a Master of Science in Political Science from the University of Southern Denmark in 2007 and obtained a PhD in Political Science from the University of Southern Denmark in 2011.
As University Director, Simon Krogh will join the university’s executive board and play a central role in implementing the University of Southern Denmark’s strategy towards 2030, as well as in the continued development of the university’s organisation and administration.
He is 46 years old and lives in Fredericia with his spouse and their two children.