People and Organisation Director

European Respiratory Society is an international organisation that brings together physicians, healthcare professionals, scientists and other experts working in respiratory medicine. We are one of the leading medical organisations in the respiratory field, with a growing membership representing over 140 countries worldwide.

We are looking for an experienced and pragmatic People & Organization Director to help shape and strengthen the organisational, managerial, and people foundations supporting our mission.

This is a strategic standalone role, positioned at Director level and reporting directly to the Executive Director. The role combines organisational thinking, talent development, and people-related decision-making, while acting as an enabler for management teams across the organisation.

The position is based in Lausanne, with scope across our locations in Lausanne, Sheffield, and Brussels.

People and Organisation Director

Key Responsibilities

Organisational Alignment & Effectiveness

• Support organisational evolution in line with strategic priorities
• Ensure clarity of roles, responsibilities, and ways of working
• Contribute to organisational effectiveness, collaboration, and sustainable delivery
• Act as a trusted sparring partner to the Executive Director and management team

Talent, Growth & Performance

• Frame and support recruitment-related decisions and practices to ensure alignment with organisational priorities, fairness, and sound judgment
• Ensure recruitment approaches are pragmatic, equitable, and non-discriminatory, while supporting diversity of profiles and backgrounds
• Drive a pragmatic and fair approach to performance management
• Develop key organisational capabilities and learning approaches
• Foster a culture of feedback, accountability, and continuous improvement
• Support managers in handling sensitive or complex people situations

Employee Experience & Culture

• Help create a coherent, inclusive, and sustainable employee experience
• Support effective ways of working and employee engagement across locations
• Strengthen internal communication, collaboration, and sense of belonging
• Contribute to shaping and embedding leadership and cultural principles

HR Framework & Governance

• Ensure fair, pragmatic, and compliant people practices aligned with local contexts and regulations
• Lead compensation and total rewards frameworks
• Anticipate and manage HR-related risks and sensitive situations
• Ensure alignment between people decisions and organizational constraints
• Work closely with Finance on HR administration, payroll coordination, and resource allocation

Profile

• University degree or equivalent continuing education deemed relevant for the role
• Minimum 15 years of experience in senior HR leadership positions, including experience as HR Director or equivalent
• Strong experience in international and multicultural environments
• Fluency in both French and English (written and spoken)
• Solid understanding of organisational dynamics, leadership, and people-related decision-making
• Ability to combine strategic thinking with pragmatic execution
• Strong interpersonal, influencing, and communication skills
• Comfortable operating in evolving and resource-conscious environments
• Swiss citizen or a valid Swiss permit

What We Offer

• A meaningful and impactful role within an international non-profit organization
• High level of autonomy and contribution to strategic discussions
• Flexible working arrangements and possibility to work remotely
• Offices conveniently located close to Lausanne train station
• A collaborative and human-centered work environment

Start date: January 2027