Head of Cantonal Social Office, 100 %

Canton of Schaffhausen, Social Office

The Social Office of the Canton of Schaffhausen fulfils overarching tasks in the areas of social assistance, victim support, and advance maintenance payments. It is responsible for the approval, financing, and supervision of institutions for adults with disabilities as well as residential child and youth services. Additionally, it operates the specialist unit for equality, violence prevention, and protection against violence and also undertakes tasks in the asylum and refugee sector on behalf of the federal government and municipalities. The office is assigned to the Department of the Interior.

Due to a change in the long-standing office management, we are seeking by arrangement, ideally in the first quarter of 2027, a personality as

Head of Cantonal Social Office, 100 %

What to expect

• Overall responsibility for the strategic, professional, personnel, organisational, and financial management of the Cantonal Social Office with around 130 employees as well as its future-oriented development
• Leadership of the executive management and overarching professional control of the specialist departments as well as ensuring a high professional and legal quality
• Further development of digital transformation in the Cantonal Social Office
• Early detection of social, legal, and professional developments as well as initiation and management of reforms, legislative projects, and organisational developments
• Advising the head of the department and political authorities on social policy and enforcement-related issues as well as responsibility for central political matters
• Maintaining and developing cooperation with municipalities, the federal government, and other partners; representing the canton in inter-cantonal committees and conducting demanding negotiations
• Responsibility for resource, risk, and quality management as well as representing the office towards authorities, professional organisations, media, and the public

What you bring

• University degree in a field relevant to the role (such as law, business, or political science) as well as several years of experience in leading managers or a heterogeneous organisational unit
• Strong understanding of social policy, legal, and societal contexts is essential
• Organisational talent, enjoyment, and experience in leading complex projects and change processes
• Networked thinking and good political acumen: high persuasiveness and assertiveness as well as negotiation skills and the ability to reconcile different interests and develop viable solutions
• Change-oriented and integrative leadership personality who provides orientation, takes responsibility, delegates tasks, and motivates employees from different disciplines towards common goals
• Strong communication skills, diplomatic tact, and the ability to convey matters appropriately and convincingly both internally and externally
• Composure in complex, controversial, and politically sensitive situations as well as high resilience and personal sense of responsibility

We offer you

• An exciting, varied, and diverse role at the head of the Cantonal Social Office with great scope for action and design and corresponding responsibility
• Committed and motivated employees with broad expertise and constructive collaboration within the Department of the Interior
• Attractive employment conditions and well-developed social benefits according to cantonal personnel law
• Progressive working time models as well as targeted opportunities for professional and personal development

The Canton of Schaffhausen as an employer
The Cantonal Administration of Schaffhausen provides services in a wide range of areas for the public, businesses, and private individuals. As an employer, we unite the most diverse professional fields under one roof. As varied as our organisation are our workplaces. These are characterised by broad areas of responsibility, professionalism, and proximity to citizens.

Have we piqued your interest?

We look forward to receiving your online application!

For further information about the advertised position, please contact the departmental secretary of the Department of the Interior, Christoph Aeschbacher, christoph.aeschbacher@sh.ch , 052 632 74 61. Or visit us at www.sh.ch.

Please note that only online applications will be considered.

We do not accept dossiers from recruitment consultants.