Specialist Leader Local Character and Urban Development 80 - 100%

26 March 2026
80 – 100%
Zürich

Job summary

Join the Baudirektion Kanton Zürich as Fachleiter/-in Ortsbild! Enjoy a dynamic work environment and meaningful projects.

Tasks

Lead the Ortsbild and Städtebau department and represent it externally.
Support team members in evaluating construction applications and projects.
Ensure consistent approval practices and oversee area management.

Skills

Degree in architecture or urban planning with relevant experience.
Collaborative leadership style and excellent communication skills.
Proficient with IT tools and digital processes.

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About the job

looking ahead | shaping | preserving

Building Directorate Canton Zurich

80 - 100%

August 1, 2026 or by arrangement

Specialist Leader Local Character and Urban Development

The Local Character and Urban Development department is committed to a high quality of life through identity-forming places. This includes assessing building applications in supra-municipally protected local characters as well as planning in zoning and land-use planning. Smaller rural municipalities are supported in the further development of their local characters just as much as urban municipalities. For the management of this department, we are looking for a committed and professionally competent leader with enthusiasm for high building culture in the Canton of Zurich.

Your tasks

Management of the Local Character and Urban Development department and representation towards other specialist offices and external parties
Support of the six employees in assessing building applications and in projects
Ensuring a uniform approval practice and its continuous development
Area supervision for some municipalities analogous to the employees
Member of the management team in the Spatial Planning department

Your profile

University degree in architecture or urban planning with good knowledge of spatial planning
Several years of professional experience, ideally with leadership responsibilities
Cooperative leadership style, high social competence and very good communication skills
Ability and enjoyment in operating in a political environment
Enjoyment in working with IT tools (M365 suite) and digital processes

What to expect

We offer a varied and demanding leadership role in a well-established department with committed employees. You can expect a dynamic and professional working environment with a meaningful activity. Our department is characterized by collegial cooperation at eye level. We place great value on individual support according to strengths and abilities. Responsibility and decision-making powers are distributed as broadly as possible. The compatibility of work and private life is also a central part of our office culture.

Your contact

Benjamin Meyer

Department Head and Cantonal Planner

043 259 54 70

Department Head and Cantonal Planner

043 259 54 70

Dear personnel service providers! Unfortunately, we cannot consider dossiers associated with fee demands. Only direct applications will be answered and considered in the selection process.

About us

The Office for Spatial Development (ARE) is the cantonal specialist office for spatial planning, geoinformation, and cultural heritage preservation. It contributes to promoting the location quality of the living and economic area of Zurich and creates the conditions for attractive settlement and landscape areas. In addition, ARE provides spatial data and preserves the cultural heritage of the Canton of Zurich.

Do you want to use your expertise to contribute to a sustainably attractive Canton of Zurich? We can offer you an exciting environment – right next to Zurich main station.

We offer…

Scope for design

Good and broad training and further education opportunities

Responsible activity

Mobile work / home office

Interaction at eye level

Your application process

Pre-selection

First interview (mid-April 2026)

Second interview with task (end of April/beginning of May 2026)

Final decision