Director of the Secretariat
Job Title: Director of the Secretariat
Location: Zurich, Switzerland
Reports to: CEO
Contract Type: Full-time
About the IPIE
The Swiss-based International Panel on the Information Environment (IPIE) is an independent and global science body committed to providing the most actionable scientific knowledge about threats to the world’s information environment. The mission of the IPIE is to provide policymakers, industry, and civil society with independent scientific assessments on the global information environment by organizing, evaluating, and elevating research, with the broad aim of improving the global information environment. Hundreds of leading scientists from around the world contribute to IPIE’s research and outputs.
Job Description
The IPIE’s Director of the Secretariat will lead a global team of high-performing professionals to ensure organization-wide efficiency, productivity, and effectiveness in pursuit of our strategy and goals. The role reports to the CEO and oversees work on all topics related to our organization, including but not limited to operational excellence and logistics, finance, legal matters, and human resources.
The ideal candidate will have extensive experience as a senior manager overseeing day-to-day operations and developing and implementing policies, practices, and procedures, preferably within a similarly international, non-profit, research, start-up, or other related organizational context.
Duties and Responsibilities
- Operational Excellence
- Leads and manages a growing and networked Secretariat team;
- Works collaboratively to develop and improve operations, systems, processes, controls, and procedures that raise organizational efficiency overall;
- Leverages data and metrics to provide timely and accurate reports on the operating condition of the organization for both team planning and for Trustee Board meetings;
- Provides operational and administrative support for projects—in areas such as development, events, external affairs, or IT for example—or oversees the consultants and staff who provide support for major projects in those operational areas.
- Finance
- Ensures sound accounting practices and standards through effective oversight of finance staff and the operation of financial accountability mechanisms;
- Oversees the preparation of financial reports to auditors and the Trustee Board, and manages preparations for Trustee Board meetings.
- Legal Matters
- Ensures compliance with business regulations and acts as necessary;
- Contributes to the impact strategy of the IPIE, from the point of view of the Secretariat.
- Human Resources
- Manages the overall strategy, purpose, and vision of the entire Human Resources function, including recruitment, onboarding, payroll, benefits, learning and development, performance management, retention, and succession planning;
- Designs and implements policies to promote organizational culture and vision, including the integration of our equity, diversity, and inclusion values.
Essential Candidate Criteria
- Willingness to relocate to Zurich, Switzerland;
- Fluency in German and/or French. Work will primarily be conducted in English, and fluency in these languages is needed for work in Switzerland;
- Senior administrative experience, with five or more years in operational roles;
- An understanding of advanced business planning and regulatory issues;
- Experience working across cultures, preferably in international organizations or contexts;
- Willingness to participate in engagements with our growing network of Swiss partners in civil society, government, higher education, industry, and philanthropy;
- Excellent leadership skills, with steadfast resolve and personal integrity;
- Ability to work in a fast-paced and flexible environment;
- Exhibits adaptability, creativity and enthusiasm in contributing to a mission-driven environment.
Desired Candidate Criteria
- Experience in a startup, or in leading an organization from concept through to formation;
- Experience in higher education or research operations;
- Fluency in a third major international language;
- Familiarity with international technology policy debates.
The Opportunity
IPIE seeks to appoint a highly skilled and motivated candidate. The compensation will reflect our ambition to attract the best professional with the desired profile.
The impact of the IPIE is strengthened by the diversity of our network and our differences in background, culture, experience, language, national origin, religion, sexual orientation, and much more. We welcome applications from people of colour, women, the LGBTQIA+ community, and a wide range of abilities.
How to Apply
Schulthess Zimmermann & Jauch is our search partner. Please contact the project leaders below, sharing your CV. Candidate review will begin 6 September 2024 and continue until the post is filled.
Mr. Reto Jauch, Managing Partner
Schulthess Zimmermann & Jauch, Basteiplatz 7, 8001 Zurich
Phone: +41 44 289 88 89, Mobile: +41 79 819 64 90
Email: reto.jauch@sz-j.com
Ms. Sierra Hess, Engagement Manager
Schulthess Zimmermann & Jauch, Basteiplatz 7, 8001 Zurich
Phone: +41 44 289 88 89, Mobile: +41 79 566 20 28
Email: sierra.hess@sz-j.com