Head of Department: Public Space
- 13 October 2026
- 80 – 100%
- Permanent position
About the job
From 01.04.2027 or by arrangement, we are looking for you as
Head of Department: Public Space
Bern | 80% - 100%
Are you looking for a meaningful leadership role with great scope for creativity? Are you interested in social and sociocultural topics and in how public spaces must be designed so that people feel welcome, can meet and participate? The Public Space department is newly created. As Head of Department Public Space, you will lead the four specialist areas Community Development, Café Bar, House Service, and Infrastructure & Technical Production together and develop a unified department with clear roles, good collaboration, and a common direction.
In the public space, the Bern Generations House becomes immediately tangible in everyday life: as a place where people of different generations and life worlds are welcome, can stay, meet and participate - even without consumption or participation in an offer. The new department therefore combines social, hospitable, operational and infrastructural perspectives.
Your tasks
- Organisationally, culturally and procedurally merge and further develop the four specialist areas with 5 directly subordinate employees into a common department and strengthen collaboration across specialist area and department boundaries; this also includes participation in the management committee
- Lead and further develop the heads of specialist areas and employees and promote a culture of personal responsibility, collaboration and learning
- Further develop the public space as an open, safe, hospitable and lively meeting place, considering social function, quality of stay and operational requirements together
- Shape the interfaces to the overall organisation and to internal and external partners, reconcile different interests and develop sustainable solutions
- Translate the organisational strategy into concrete goals, measures and priorities for the department, make decisions and ensure their implementation
- Manage and be responsible for the department's budget, resources, processes and quality development
- Contribute proactively to the long-term development of the public space in the context of site development, station expansion and other changes in the environment of the Bern Generations House
- Ensure the flow of information within the department and at the interfaces to the overall organisation, communicate decisions and developments transparently and accompany change processes communicatively
Your profile
- Several years of leadership experience in a complex environment as well as experience in responsibility for different teams, specialist areas or managers
- Ability to provide orientation, clarify responsibilities, set priorities and remain decisive even in demanding situations
- Experience in further developing structures, roles and collaboration as well as in carefully and reliably shaping change processes
- Ability to bring together different professional perspectives, needs and interests and to advance common solutions and developments
- Strong communication skills and the ability to convey complex contexts understandably, make decisions transparent and involve different stakeholders
- Confidence in the interplay of strategic development and the concrete requirements of an ongoing operation and experience in budget, resource and quality responsibility
- Interest in social and sociocultural topics as well as a good sense of what makes an open, hospitable and well-functioning meeting place
What distinguishes us
Central workplace
Your workplace is just a few steps from Bern main station and is easily accessible by public transport. The listed building offers attractive workplaces, a greened courtyard and a cosy café bar.
Meaningful activity
With your work, you strengthen our commitment to social cohesion and intergenerational togetherness.
Team spirit and personal responsibility
We live a values-oriented culture and promote responsible, cross-departmental work.
Flexible working models
To reconcile work and private life, we offer - where possible - flexible working models such as part-time, job sharing, home office and annual working hours.
Supplementary social insurance
You benefit from supplementary pension fund contributions, of which we cover 60%. We have our own solid pension fund, fully cover your premiums for accident and daily sickness benefits insurance and pay a childcare allowance.
Training and further education
You will be supported financially and with time credits for training and further education. You can also develop personally in everyday work; we accompany you in this.
Questions about the position
Till Grünewald, Overall management
+41 31 328 87 01
Till Grünewald, Overall management
+41 31 328 87 01
The Bern Generations House is a unique place of encounter and dialogue. With its offerings, it aims to strengthen social cohesion and relationships between generations. It invites you to linger with a variety of events and exhibitions, the spacious courtyard and a café bar. Under its roof, the Bern Generations House unites 14 social institutions, with others regularly visiting. The offer includes information, advice, education and life assistance for all generations. It also offers stylish rooms for meetings, conferences and workshops just a few steps from Bern station. The Bern Generations House is an institution of the Burgergemeinde Bern.
