As Head Marketing & Communication at our Global Office in Zurich, you will enhance Swisscontact's positioning among private and institutional partners and strengthen our distinctiveness and visibility in a challenging international environment, where public funds for international development cooperation face a steep decline. You will support our efforts to expand our private funder base, with a particular focus on corporate and philanthropic foundations and family offices in Switzerland and Europe.
Start date: 01.12.2026 or by agreement.
Responsibilities and tasks
Further develop an integrated marketing and communications strategy that strengthens Swisscontact’s positioning as a private sector-oriented development organisation with key clients and partners in target markets.
Translate the strategy into clear priorities, resource allocation, and measurable objectives.
Monitor and report on marketing goals and KPIs, ensuring implementation, evaluation and optimisation.
Develop, lead and continuously improve fundraising campaigns and marketing & communications activities across digital channels, social media, PR and corporate communications, drawing on compelling in-house storytelling.
Develop innovative digital strategies and optimise processes using AI tools, automation and emerging technologies to increase reach, impact and efficiency.
Build and cherish a network of contacts with media and other stakeholders in the private and public sector.
Lead and develop a small marketing and communication team in Zurich, providing hands-on support when required. Oversee annual planning, reporting, budgeting and human resource management for the team.
Leveraging a network of regional communication managers to drive alignment of marketing and communication strategies across regions and ensure consistent compliance with communication and brand standards throughout the organisation.
Requirements
Higher education in marketing, communication or related fields (university degree, technical college or equivalent training and further education).
At least eight years of professional experience in marketing and communications.
In-depth understanding of digital marketing, social media, content strategies, multimedia communications, publishing workflows, marketing technologies, and data-based performance measurement.
Familiarity with relevant tools and platforms, like MS Dynamics CRM, CMS, Adobe Creative Cloud, Google Marketing Platform.
An entrepreneurial, proactive, and constructive mindset, combined with a high level of motivation to work in international development.
Proven success in developing and implementing communications strategies in complex matrix organisations, ideally in the internationally active private services sector or international cooperation.
Proven leadership and change-management experience, combined with a pragmatic and action-oriented approach.
Experience in planning and delivering effective campaigns with a strong focus on organic reach.
Strong communication skills, conceptual and strategic competencies, willingness to innovate, and openness to new technologies and trends.
Strong intercultural skills and ability to navigate diplomatically within heterogeneous team settings.
Flexibility and willingness to selected travel to our project countries in Africa, Asia, Latin America, and Eastern Europe.
Excellent command of English and German is a must. Good French and/or Spanish skills are an advantage.
What Swisscontact offers
A meaningful and challenging role with a high degree of personal responsibility and scope for shaping in an international context of high social relevance.
An agile organization with a culture of mutual respect, trust, and teamwork.
The opportunity to help shape Swisscontact's strategic direction.
Flexible working models and development opportunities.
We look forward to receiving your online application with the following documents: letter of motivation, curriculum vitae, diplomas and references. Please apply exclusively via the online application portal.
We particularly encourage women to apply.
Swisscontact ist eine unabhängige, gemeinnützige Entwicklungsorganisation, die 1959 von Akteuren der Schweizer Privatwirtschaft und Zivilgesellschaft gegründet wurde.
In unserer Entwicklungsarbeit nutzen wir das Potenzial privater Initiative in Entwicklungs- und Schwellenländern. Wir fördern eine nachhaltige und integrative wirtschaftliche Entwicklung mit dem Ziel, die Lebensqualität für alle zu verbessern.
Unsere Arbeit basiert auf drei Säulen: Wir stärken die Kompetenzen von Menschen, damit sie ihr Einkommen verbessern und ihre Erwerbschancen verbessern können; wir erhöhen die Wettbewerbsfähigkeit von Unternehmen, damit sie wachsen und ihre Widerstandsfähigkeit stärken können; und wir fördern sozioökonomische Systeme, um eine ganzheitliche Entwicklung für breitenwirksamen Wohlstand zu begünstigen.
Die Organisation ist derzeit mit rund 1200 Mitarbeitenden in 138 Projekten in 39 Ländern aktiv. Der Hauptsitz befindet sich in Zürich, Schweiz.