Gábor Virágos
SENIOR EXECUTIVE & INSTITUTIONAL LEADER
Budapest
Summary
Highly experienced transformational leader in complex public and private institutional innovation, cultural governance, and international cooperation with strong focus on strategic vision, operational excellence, and driving growth. Proven record in ESG integration, cross-sector impact, and multi-stakeholder management within complex international frameworks. Skilled in financial management, strategic planning, and stakeholder engagement. Highly adaptable and reliable, excelling in dynamic environments.
Overview
26
26
years of professional experience
5
5
Languages
Work History
CEO / Owner
UNIHEP Nonprofit Ltd. and Millideas Partner Ltd.
01.2011 - Current
- Provide strategic advisory and management in multi-level national development projects driving sustainable growth and digital transformation.
- Lead heritage innovation, museology and institutional development projects.
- Archaeological fieldwork as well as IT and digitalisation services
- Deliver specialized capacity building programs
- Developed and implemented comprehensive operational plans, optimizing resource allocation and improving service delivery efficiency.
Deputy Director General of Archaeology
Hungarian National Museum – National Institute of Archaeology
01.2021 - 01.2024
- Led the establishment and operations of Hungary's central archaeological institution
- Managed nationwide rescue excavation programs and research initiatives
- Supervised a team of 250+ professionals across multiple locations
- Oversaw annual budget of €15M+ for national archaeological operations
- Established international partnerships with heritage institutions
- Spearheaded national-level public engagement and cross-cultural exhibition initiatives, enhancing institutional visibility and trust.
- Led comprehensive archaeological field surveys, enhancing site documentation and preservation techniques to advance research initiatives and digital documentation standards.
Chief Counsellor to the Minister
Prime Minister’s Office
01.2019 - 01.2021
- Managed relationships with international stakeholders, including UNESCO and ICOMOS
- Coordinated the UNESCO World Heritage nomination of the Roman Limes
- Led inter-ministerial working groups for heritage management
- Directed cross-cultural expert teams driving policy harmonisation and international documentation standards.
Advisor to the President
Gyula Forster National Centre for Cultural Heritage Management
01.2016 - 01.2017
- Advised the executive board on strategic heritage policy and institutional performance
- Lead national and EU-funded projects in development and construction
- Deliver specialized capacity building programs
Director
OTP BANK Fáy András Foundation, O.K. Education Centre
01.2013 - 01.2015
- Directed the financial literacy and employability programme of Hungary’s largest commercial bank (OTP Group), developing nationwide curricula and training materials to strengthen youth financial awareness and inclusion.
- Designed and implemented innovative teaching methodologies later adapted internationally
- Launched an international franchise initiative scaling the programme’s social impact across multiple partner countries.
Director Manager / Head of Department
Urban Development Non-profit Co. / Municipal Office of Székesfehérvár Municipality
01.2010 - 01.2012
- Directed large-scale EU-funded urban and infrastructure development projects aligned with regional growth strategies, ensuring compliance and strategic delivery.
Director-General
Field Service for Cultural Heritage, Budapest
01.2007 - 01.2010
- Led Hungary’s primary institution for archaeological and built heritage research and management and implemented modernised national frameworks for archaeological risk management and institutional efficiency.
- Managed 400+ staff across multiple disciplines
- Oversaw annual budget of €20M+
- Established international partnerships and collaborations
Advisor to the Minister
Ministry of Education and Culture, Budapest
01.2006 - 01.2008
- Redesigned the national heritage governance and education framework, aligning with EU integration policies.
- Organised and coordinated the EU-funded priority projects of the Ministry
Academic Director
Hungarian Academy of Sciences, Archeosztráda Ltd.
01.2003 - 01.2006
- Founded and led the first public, non-profit heritage enterprise of the country delivering scientific excellence and public-sector innovation.
Chief Inspector in Archaeology / Head of the Regional Office (Pécs)
National Board for Protecting Historical Monuments / Cultural Heritage Directorate / National Office of Cultural Heritage
01.2000 - 01.2003
- Launched the regional office and managed locally the reorganisations of the institutional system
- Executed archaeological excavations and provided expert advice
- Oversaw state-level heritage administration and compliance for the South-Transdanubia EU Region, balancing development and preservation priorities.
Education
MBA - Management
Szent István University
01.2012
Ph.D. - Historical Sciences
Central European University/ELTE
01.2002
M.A. - Medieval Studies, Archaeology & Museology
Central European University/ELTE
01.1997
Skills
Cross-cultural communication and adaptability to diverse cultural environments
International stakeholder management
Public speaking and presentation and public engagement strategies
Strategic governance and corporate services integration
ESG and sustainability mainstreaming in institutional operations
Academic research and publication
Resource optimization
Organisational transformation
Change and programme governance
€20M budget and 400 HR oversight
ESG integration
Cross-sector partnership development
Affiliations
- 2024 - International Council of Museums (ICOM)
- 2023 - 2025 European Archaeological Council (EAC) – Board member and vice-president
- 2022 - European Archaeological Association Heritage Advisory Committee (EAA HAC)
- 2019 - 2021 Hungarian National Commission for UNESCO World Heritage Committee (president)
- 2009 - 2011 Archaeological Committee, Hungarian Academy of Sciences
- 2006 - European Archaeological Association (EAA)
- 2003 - Academic Board, Hungarian Academy of Sciences
- 2002 - International Council on Monuments and Sites (ICOMOS)
KEY EXPERIENCE
- Led €20M+ national transformation | Directed 100+ international heritage projects | UNESCO World Heritage Nomination Leader
- National cultural institution leadership
- 400+ staff, €20M+ budget
- Cross-cultural exhibition development
- EU-funded international collaborations
- National heritage system transformation and digital innovation implementation
STRATEGIC LEADERSHIP & CORE COMPETENCIES
- Strategic Leadership
- Organisational transformation
- Change and programme governance
- €20M+ budget oversight
- ESG integration
- Cross-sector partnership development
- Institutional Excellence
- Public-sector reform
- Strategic policy alignment
- International stakeholder diplomacy
- Multilateral negotiation and governance frameworks
- Innovation & Impact
- Digital heritage systems
- Cross-cultural collaboration
- Sustainable institutional models
- Heritage modernisation and digital transformation
INTERNATIONAL GOVERNANCE & REPRESENTATION
- Proven record of multilateral diplomacy and institutional representation across Europe and Central Asia. Extensive experience in UNESCO, EU and professional council leadership, contributing to global heritage policy and strategic cooperation. Active engagement in international expert networks, academic partnerships, and European programme evaluation.
- Vice-President & Board Member, European Archaeological Council (EAC) (2023–2025)
- UNESCO World Heritage Committee, National Delegate Experience (2019–2021)
- EU Project Evaluation Expert, Horizon Europe / Creative Europe (2009–present)
- Academic & Research Collaborations: Oxford University (UK), Heidelberg University (DE), University of Copenhagen (DK), Central State Museum (KZ), European Archaeological Centre (FR)
Timeline
Deputy Director General of Archaeology
Hungarian National Museum – National Institute of Archaeology
01.2021 - 01.2024
Chief Counsellor to the Minister
Prime Minister’s Office
01.2019 - 01.2021
Advisor to the President
Gyula Forster National Centre for Cultural Heritage Management
01.2016 - 01.2017
Director
OTP BANK Fáy András Foundation, O.K. Education Centre
01.2013 - 01.2015
CEO / Owner
UNIHEP Nonprofit Ltd. and Millideas Partner Ltd.
01.2011 - Current
Director Manager / Head of Department
Urban Development Non-profit Co. / Municipal Office of Székesfehérvár Municipality
01.2010 - 01.2012
Director-General
Field Service for Cultural Heritage, Budapest
01.2007 - 01.2010
Advisor to the Minister
Ministry of Education and Culture, Budapest
01.2006 - 01.2008
Academic Director
Hungarian Academy of Sciences, Archeosztráda Ltd.
01.2003 - 01.2006
Chief Inspector in Archaeology / Head of the Regional Office (Pécs)
National Board for Protecting Historical Monuments / Cultural Heritage Directorate / National Office of Cultural Heritage
01.2000 - 01.2003
MBA - Management
Szent István University
Ph.D. - Historical Sciences
Central European University/ELTE
M.A. - Medieval Studies, Archaeology & Museology
Central European University/ELTE
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