Managing Director (m/f/d) at Path2Work 80%-100%
ETH Zürich
Zurich
Key information
- Publication date:08 October 2025
- Workload:80 – 100%
- Place of work:Zurich
Job summary
Join Path2Work as a Geschäftsführer:in in Zürich! This role offers a chance to shape a meaningful organization.
Tasks
- Lead strategic and operational development of Path2Work.
- Drive platform and product improvements with a new CTO.
- Build partnerships and secure funding for sustainable growth.
Skills
- Experience in organizational leadership and collaboration.
- Strong communication skills for diverse audiences.
- Business development and sales experience required.
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Managing Director (m/f/d) at Path2Work
80%-100%, Zurich, fixed-term
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Path2Work is a digital platform that specifically connects refugees with suitable jobs and facilitates companies' access to motivated talents. With innovative technologies such as AI-supported matching, data-based career counseling, multilingual search functions, and active employer outreach, we improve the labor market integration of refugees in Switzerland.
Project background
Path2Work was initiated by the ETH Zurich and the University of Lausanne in cooperation with the State Secretariat for Migration (SEM) and the State Secretariat for Economic Affairs (SECO). The non-profit association is supported by foundations to build a sustainable organization and a scalable solution that can also finance itself in the long term through its own services. For the next steps, we are looking for a person to take on the leadership role.
Job description
As Managing Director, you are the engine and designer. You are responsible for the operational business and develop Path2Work together with the board into an independently sustainable organization.
For this, you lead a motivated team, recruit new colleagues, build sustainable structures, and secure new partnerships and financing. With a willingness to shape and persuasiveness, you win SMEs, large companies, and authorities for our vision – to support refugees in the best possible way on their path to suitable employment.
- Strategic and operational leadership: You take overall responsibility for the further development of Path2Work – focusing on impact, scaling, and long-term sustainability.
- Platform & product development: Together with the CTO recruited by you, you are responsible for the further development of our digital platform. You shape the product strategy, set priorities, and ensure that technology, user needs, and impact come together optimally.
- Growth & financing: You develop a sustainable business model, expand funding partnerships, and open up new sources of financing, including fundraising and offers for employers.
- Team building and leadership: You form a small interdisciplinary core team, lead it with clear goals, and further develop talents. At the same time, you create structures that enable trusting collaboration and growth.
- Partnerships & representation: You win employers as users and customers, maintain close relationships with authorities, foundations, and NGOs, develop sustainable cooperations from them, and position Path2Work visibly externally.
Profile
- Entrepreneurial experience: You have built, led, or further developed organizations, projects, or startups – and ideally have experience working with authorities or other institutional partners.
- Power to shape: You get things done, bring ideas into implementation, and do not lose sight of the strategic perspective.
- Communication skills: You convince different target groups – from SMEs and large companies to authorities and foundations – and can build sustainable relationships.
- Sales & development: You have experience in business development and sales. You can design offers so that they combine impact and economic viability.
- Digital flair: You bring understanding of digital products, recognize opportunities in data-based innovations, and use them impactfully for Path2Work.
- Team leadership: You enjoy leading people with clarity and empathy, further develop talents, and create an environment where collaboration is enjoyable.
- Languages: Very good German skills as well as good English or French skills.
Workplace
Workplace
We offer
- Scope for design: With us, you help build a social enterprise that lasts – with lots of freedom, responsibility, and room for your ideas.
- Direct impact: Your work can change the lives of refugees and help companies find motivated employees.
- Security & perspective: Financing is secured for three years, with the clear goal of establishing a self-sustaining organization.
- Team & network: A committed interdisciplinary team and collaboration with strong partners (ETH, UNIL, SEM, SECO) at the interface of science, practice, and labor market.
- Innovation environment: You benefit from an inspiring environment where new impulses from research and practice are translated into concrete solutions for Path2Work.
- Flexibility: Workplace in Zurich or Lausanne with home office options.
- Attractive conditions: Fair compensation within a non-profit startup framework (depending on experience up to max. CHF 120k at 100%). The current upper limit results from funding requirements; after the three-year start-up financing expires, there is room for adjustments.
Curious? So are we.
Please send your application documents by 31.10.2025 to path2work@gess.ethz.ch . Your complete documents should include a cover letter, a CV with references, as well as diplomas and relevant work certificates.
If you have questions about the position (no applications!), please contact: Dr. Philip Grech ( philip.grech@gess.ethz.ch ), Managing Director Immigration Policy Lab ETH Zurich and interim Managing Director of Path2Work .
