"In 2014, I joined the European Commission as a team leader in the IT department of the Directorate-General for Taxation and Customs Union (TAXUD). In that role, I led a team of four great colleagues with whom I managed seven trans-European customs projects.

It was very gratifying to see the systems we had developed being used throughout the European Union and beyond. I was also very happy to participate in various customs-related negotiations between the EU and non-EU countries, including Serbia, Montenegro, China, Russia and Japan.

Since 2019, I have been the head of the service management sector in the Directorate-General for Informatics (DIGIT). My job is to lead a team of over 65 professionals who provide support to users of the European Commission’s corporate systems.  

I like working in DIGIT very much because I have wonderful and professional colleagues who are always ready to help me as well as others, if needed.  They are so good at what they do that there is no problem they cannot solve. My sector’s team leaders are both good managers and experienced IT professionals and make it easy for me to coordinate complex assignments."

Head of Sector – Service Management, Directorate-General for Informatics (DIGIT), Solutions for Legislation, Policy & HR, European Commission

“My life philosophy is that it is never late to explore new professional career paths. Being aware of the continuous demand for IT profiles in all areas of the European job market and with a long-term interest in IT systems and cybersecurity, I have decided to embrace the digital world professionally.

I have joined the Directorate-General for Informatics to lead the Coordination Hub team in the Digital Transformation and Coordination unit. It is exciting to be part of the unit shaping the new digital strategy of the European Commission, helping to establish paperless processes to save our fragile environment, and helping colleagues in other directorates to implement digital-ready policy making processes from the first stages of drafting future EU policies.

My job brings me several opportunities, such as networking, supporting, and learning. Each day, I am getting to know colleagues from various backgrounds, in different positions, and with varying responsibilities. My team provides the ultimate support to corporate clients and undergoes a constant learning process when sharing knowledge and best practices.”

Team Leader, Directorate-General for Informatics (DIGIT), European Commission

“Designing for democracy — that’s what drives me every day at the European Parliament. Through visual storytelling, I help make Europe’s voice clearer, fairer, and closer to its people. As a strong believer in human rights and the EU’s mission, I’m proud to turn complex ideas into accessible, engaging content. Working in a vibrant, multicultural environment is deeply enriching — it fuels creativity, broadens perspectives, and reminds me daily of the power of unity in diversity. Here, creativity meets purpose — and every day is a chance to learn, grow, and make an impact.”

"As a graphic designer, I’m energised by the chance to create visuals for products that reach audiences across Europe. Last year, I had the privilege of designing the layout for the EU Strategic Agenda — a document that defines the EU’s priorities and strategic direction for the years ahead.

What drives me most is working in a studio environment with fellow graphic designers from diverse backgrounds; their insights push my creative thinking and spark fresh, original solutions.

The fast-paced and ever-evolving nature of our work means no two days are the same — whether we’re shaping branding for the Education Committee’s 50th anniversary or crafting striking visuals for research on brain–computer interfaces."

"Working as an Assistant Audiovisual Producer is an exciting opportunity to blend creativity, coordination, and strategic communication. I get to be creative every day, helping turn ideas into videos and visuals that really connect with people. It’s a busy role where you need to stay organized and work well with others, but that’s what makes it interesting. I love how the job mixes teamwork, storytelling, and creativity to produce visuals and videos that catch attention and help people understand important messages in a simple and engaging way."

"Since 2009, I’ve managed the Council of the EU’s website, working closely with content creators, designers, and developers to ensure clear communication of the Council’s work.

I publish content, plan new features, and support CMS users across teams. I enjoy the variety — from CMS migrations to developing new content types — and take pride in improving both the user experience and internal workflows.

With a background in international commerce and Chinese studies, I started in digital early, managing web projects in both public and private sectors before joining the Council."

"As a graphic designer in the DG COMM visual communication team, I have the opportunity to bring the European Commission's political priorities to life. Every day, I work on transforming complex messages into clear and compelling visuals across various media platforms, from print to digital, tailored for diverse audiences in close collaboration with my social media and audiovisual colleagues.  

I’ve a passion for design and branding, and I have the chance with my job to create visual identities that effectively communicate the Commission’s key actions. I also play a crucial role in maintaining the corporate Commission visual identity and, ensuring a harmonious and coherent image that resonates with citizens. This role allows me to give trainings to inform colleagues about the visual rules and to collaborate with the graphic designers across all the Commission's departments.

As part of a presidential service, I'm proud to support the communication efforts of the President of the Commission. It’s a dynamic environment where creativity meets strategy, and I’m thrilled to be at the heart of it all!"

“Europe is a beautiful idea - but it needs to become a shared feeling. Today, there is no more powerful way to reach people emotionally with our common values, projects, actions, and policies than through the creativity, interactivity, and flexibility that social media offers.
It has long been my dream to help EU institutions connect with citizens through social media - to bring Europe closer to their hearts and minds. Participating in an EPSO competition allowed me to make that dream a reality.

Today, I coordinate the social media work of the Commission’s Representations and provide editorial leadership across our network.”

What do you work with?

I am Deputy Head of Unit in the AI Office of DG Connect. We work with AI for the societal good, which means that we develop AI tools and models that would help society and will be of the service of the public good.

What do you enjoy most about your job?

What’s nice about working in the Commission is that it’s multicultural, so you get to know people from all over Europe, and the world, who work in this organisation. You learn a lot about the different cultures in Europe, and this is a daily source of stimulation in your work. You also have the opportunity to learn new languages.

Another thing is that you are never bored because the work we do is multifaceted. You receive new tasks all the time, and you can move between many different jobs, so there are plenty of opportunities to develop and move forward.

One tip for someone considering applying for the ICT competition?

I think it’s very good to look at what we are posting on social media, on our website and, of course, at all the posts on X and LinkedIn, because they really give an impression of what we’re working on at the moment. Then, I don’t think it’s a bad idea to actually contact somebody, if you have the possibility, who already works here. Don’t be shy; it’s always a good occasion to get some more insight into what the job is about.

Helen, Deputy Head of Unit, DG Connect

Country of origin: Sweden

What do you work with?

IT in the European Commission develops systems that are used by staff, Member States, and citizens. In IT at DG Research and Innovation, where I’m Deputy Head of Unit, we develop the eGrants system that is used for the EU grants management process.

What do you enjoy most about your job?

I really like the fact that my work is very impactful. For example, the eGrants system has over 2.5 million users from all over the world, it processes more than 20 billion euro per year, and it was even used to fund several Nobel laureates. And then there are the people. It is very satisfying to work with IT experts from all over the EU – it never gets boring.

One tip for someone considering applying for the ICT competition?

Don’t overthink it, just apply. But don’t underestimate the selection process. Prepare, prepare, prepare… and then prepare some more. And who knows? Maybe next year we’ll be working together!

Marko, Deputy Head of Unit, DG RTD (IT middle management)

Country of origin: Croatia