Principal (m/f/d)

About the job

The Vocational and Continuing Education Centre Rorschach-Rheintal BZR is a significant commercial and industrial cantonal centre of expertise in Eastern Switzerland. At the locations in Rorschach and Altstätten, around 1,900 learners from various cantons and nations are supported in their initial vocational training. The BZR combines solid vocational education, contemporary learning methods, close practical relevance and close cooperation with training companies, professional associations and other educational partners. The vocational continuing education (WZR) completes our educational offering. Annually, around 2,000 professionals expand their qualifications in a variety of courses and training programmes.

As part of a carefully planned succession arrangement due to the retirement of the current postholder, we are seeking from 1 August 2027 a committed, strong leadership and integrative personality as

Principal (m/f/d)

Workload: 100%

Workplace: Rorschach/Altstätten

What to expect

As Principal, you bear overall responsibility for the strategic, pedagogical, personnel, financial and organisational management of the Vocational and Continuing Education Centre Rorschach-Rheintal. In addition, according to cantonal requirements, you will take on a small teaching workload, thus remaining close to the core business of the school.

You

• lead the school management clearly, participatively and development-oriented;
• are responsible for the further development and implementation of the school strategy in line with the BZR30+ vision based on the cantonal vocational education strategy;
• strengthen teaching quality, school development and the innovative capacity of the BZR;
• shape a culture of trust, responsibility, commitment and collaboration;
• credibly, networked and convincingly represent the BZR internally and externally;
• maintain cooperation with training companies, professional associations and partner institutions as well as the Office for Vocational Education, the Vocational School Commission and other stakeholders;
• position the BZR as a performance- and connectivity-capable as well as future-oriented cantonal centre of expertise in vocational education.

What distinguishes you

For this responsible leadership role, you bring joy in working with people, education and development as well as a strong identification with vocational education.

You have

• several years of leadership and management experience, preferably in an educational institution, expert organisation or a comparably complex environment;
• profound knowledge of the Swiss vocational education system as well as a good understanding of political, economic and social contexts;
• a pedagogical qualification for upper secondary level II or an equivalent education as well as completed school management training or the willingness to complete this alongside your job;
• experience in strategy, organisational or school development processes;
• business management understanding as well as competence in personnel management and quality development;
• strong communication skills, negotiation skills and confident appearance;
• resilience, reflective ability and decisiveness and implementation strength.

As an integral, engaging personality with a sense for teamwork, innovation and collaboration, you think in networks, act solution-oriented and know how to win people over for common goals. You combine clarity in leadership with appreciation in interaction as well as strategic thinking with a realistic view of everyday school life.

What we offer

You will take on a versatile and meaningful leadership role in a well-positioned vocational and continuing education centre with committed employees, strong educational partners and high regional significance.

In addition to contemporary cantonal employment conditions, you will receive

• the opportunity to actively shape the future of the BZR in an important development phase;
• a competent and experienced school management team;
• an organisation with short communication paths, high personal responsibility and scope for design;
• an exciting environment between education, business, society and politics;
• a role with direct impact on the vocational future of young people and the continuing education of professionals.

Ready for the next step? If we have sparked your interest and you would like to be part of the team, we look forward to receiving your application.

Further information from:

Bruno Müller, Head of the Office for Vocational Education, Tel. 058 229 38 75

Would you like to lead the Vocational and Continuing Education Centre Rorschach-Rheintal with foresight, commitment and strong leadership into the next development phase? Then we look forward to receiving your application by 15 August 2026.