General Director

About the job

ESPAS (Support and Prevention Space - Sexual Abuse) is a non-profit association recognised by the State that supports children, adolescents and adults affected by sexual abuse, offering prevention and therapeutic support. With a headquarters in Lausanne and a branch in Sion (VS) for care services, the association carries out its prevention activities throughout French-speaking Switzerland. Composed of professionals specially trained in the issue of sexual abuse, it works closely with LAVI centres, the youth protection services of the State of Vaud, juvenile courts, as well as health and education professionals to ensure comprehensive care.

The Association's Committee is looking for a new

General Director (80-100%)

Under the authority of the Committee, the General Management carries the mission and values of ESPAS and ensures its overall leadership. It ensures that the organisation, human resources (HR) and financial resources, partnerships and modes of operation serve the quality, safety, accessibility and sustainability of services.

It preserves and develops ESPAS’s clinical and prevention expertise by relying on competent managers and the Management Board.

It translates the Committee’s strategic directions into operational priorities, unites teams around a common vision, represents ESPAS to its partners and has the necessary autonomy for operational management.

The clinical function is attached to General Management. Clinical, therapeutic and prevention issues are addressed and validated within the Management Board, which the General Management chairs.

Your missions and responsibilities

Contribute with the Committee to defining strategic directions and be accountable for their implementation. Break down the strategy into action plans, objectives, responsibilities, indicators and deadlines.

• Lead the organisation, set priorities, decide, delegate, arbitrate and ensure follow-up of results.
• Ensure clear clinical governance aimed at guaranteeing quality practices and coherence of approaches across sectors.
• Manage financial resources, ensure internal control and reporting.
• Lead human resources policy and management, including health and safety at work.
• Guarantee the quality, monitoring and compliance of services provided in accordance with ethical standards.
• Define the institutional communication strategy and oversee its implementation.
• Develop institutional relations, partnerships and funding.

Your Profile

• You hold a Master’s level university degree (or equivalent), complemented by certified training in management or public administration, financial management and human resources.
• You can demonstrate confirmed leadership experience, ideally acquired in the social, social-health or associative field.
• You master finance, internal control, HR management and management tools to assume overall responsibility.
• You have proven experience in change management, reorganisation and organisational development.
• You have the ability to work with strong clinical expertise, without confusion between institutional responsibility and professional decision-making.
• You are experienced in negotiation, partnership development, fundraising and managing complex projects.
• You have a good understanding of relations with public authorities, funders, institutional partners and professional networks.
• You possess strategic skills while remaining grounded in the needs and realities of the field.
• You demonstrate a strong sense of responsibility and distinguish yourself by your availability, listening and empathy skills, as well as your stability and assertiveness.
• You are ideally familiar with the issues of violence and trauma, the field of sexual abuse, prevention, health, psychosocial matters, or even related public policies.

ESPAS offers you a truly meaningful role and an exciting challenge within an association committed to a major social cause, with a start date of 1st January 2027 (or to be agreed). We look forward to receiving your complete application file by 17th October 2026.