Director

Geothermal-Switzerland is the umbrella association for geothermal energy in Switzerland. It brings together energy supply companies, engineering offices, drilling companies, universities of applied sciences, and other public and private stakeholders in the sector, and is committed to the sustainable development of geothermal energy in all its forms, as a contribution to renewable energy supply. Its secretariat, based in Bern, consists of a small bilingual team.

"Geothermal – our underground, our energy": Geothermal-Switzerland is committed to values of dedication, collaboration, transparency, integrity, and quality.

Following the departure of the current director, we are looking for a personality to take over the management of the secretariat and become the face of the association to its members and partners.

Your tasks

– Lead the secretariat and its team (Transfer programme, communication and events, administration); recruit and manage staff

– Represent the association as the primary contact with federal and cantonal authorities, the political world, partners, media, and the public

– Defend the interests of the sector and lead the Policy working group on the framework conditions for geothermal energy

– Manage strategic projects of the association

– Retain and develop the membership base, and make the benefits of membership visible

– Ensure the operational management of the association: budget, finances, mandates, preparation of meetings of the bodies

– Implement the association’s strategy in close collaboration with the committee, reporting directly to the president of the association

– Promote continuing education and research & development in the field of geothermal energy

Your profile

You combine a solid technical foundation with genuine communication skills. You know how to unite, convince, and represent, and you enjoy taking initiatives. Integrity and transparency are a given for you: you independently and credibly defend the interests of the entire geothermal sector.

Essential

– Higher education (ETH, university of applied sciences or university) in a technical or scientific field – energy, engineering, geosciences, environment – or equivalent training

– Good knowledge of the energy market and the Swiss energy context (actors, energy policy, renewable heat supply)

– Proven experience in leadership and team management

– Experience in advocacy and networking with the Confederation, cantons, and political world

– Native French or German speaker, with proficiency in the other language (level C1); English is an asset (min. B1)

– Autonomy, initiative, and enjoyment of working in a small team within an association framework

Important

– Knowledge of geothermal energy or the subsurface field

– Experience in project or programme management, including third-party funded projects (budget, monitoring, reports)

– Communication skills; interpersonal skills

You share our values – commitment, collaboration, transparency, integrity, and quality – and wish to embody them in your work.

What we offer

– A position of responsibility, at the heart of the energy transition and in contact with the main actors of geothermal energy in Switzerland

– A small, committed, bilingual team, with great organisational freedom

– Workplace in Bern (a few minutes from the station), with the possibility of remote work

– Flexible and annualised working hours

– Contribution to mobile phone subscription and Swiss Federal Railways (SBB) subscription

– 5 weeks of holiday

– Support for continuing education

Interested?

Start date: 1 March 2027 or according to availability.

Please send us your complete application (cover letter, CV, diplomas and work certificates) by 1 November 2026 (Click to send an email )

For any questions, the president of the association, Barbara Schwickert , is happy to assist you (tel. 41 78 739 48 85).

We look forward to receiving your application!