Director

Geothermie-Suisse 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 energy – our underground, our energy": Geothermie-Suisse stands for values of commitment, 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.

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Geothermie-Schweiz is the umbrella organisation for geothermal energy in Switzerland. It unites energy supply companies, engineering offices, drilling companies, universities, as well as other public and private actors in the sector and is committed to the sustainable development of geothermal energy in all its forms as a contribution to renewable energy supply. The office in Bern consists of a small, bilingual team.

"Geothermal energy – our ground, our energy": Geothermie-Schweiz stands for commitment, collaboration, transparency, integrity, and quality.

After the departure of the previous managing director, we are looking for a personality to take over the management of the office and represent the association to members and partners.

GERMAN BELOW

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 sphere, partners, media, and the public

– Advocate for 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 governing 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 talent. 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 leadership and team management experience

– Experience in advocacy and network with the Confederation, cantons, and political sphere

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

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

Important

– Knowledge of geothermal energy or the underground sector

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

– Strong communication skills; personable manner

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

What we offer

– A responsible position 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 and Swiss Federal Railways subscriptions

– 5 weeks of holiday

– Support for continuing education

Interested?

Start date: 1 March 2027 or according to availability.

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

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

We look forward to receiving your application!

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Your tasks

– Manage the office and lead the team (Transfer programme, communication and events, administration); recruit and lead staff

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

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

– Lead strategic projects of the association

– Retain and attract members and make the benefits of membership visible

– Operational management of the association: budget, finances, mandates, preparation of meetings of the association’s bodies

– Implement the association’s strategy in close cooperation with the board; report directly to the president of the association

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

Your profile

You combine a solid technical foundation with pronounced communication talent. You can bring people together, convince, and represent the association externally, and you like to take initiative. Integrity and transparency are a matter of course for you: you independently and credibly represent the interests of the entire geothermal sector.

Essential

– University degree (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 energy policy environment in Switzerland (actors, energy policy, renewable heat supply)

– Proven leadership experience

– Experience in advocacy and network with the Confederation, cantons, and politics

– Native German or French speaker with very good knowledge of the second language (level C1); English an advantage (min. B1)

– Independence, initiative, and enjoyment of working in a small team in an association environment

Important

– Knowledge of geothermal energy or the underground sector

– Experience in managing projects or programmes, including third-party funded ones (budget, controlling, reporting)

– Strong communication skills; engaging manner

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

We offer

– A responsible role at the centre of the energy transition, in exchange with the main actors of geothermal energy in Switzerland

– A small, committed, bilingual team with great scope for design

– Workplace Bern (a few minutes’ walk from the station), with the possibility of home office

– Flexible working hours with annual working time

– Contribution to mobile phone subscription and SBB subscription

– 5 weeks’ holiday

– Support for continuing education

Interested?

Start date: 1 March 2027 or by agreement.

Please send your complete application documents (cover letter, CV, diplomas and work certificates) by 1 November 2026 by 1 November 2026

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

We look forward to your application!