Head of Communications

About the job

Head of Communications

Become part of our team

Your work has impact – for Bern and for the people who live and work here. Help shape the community and the future of this city with us: visible, tangible, sustainable.

The Directorate for Security, Environment and Energy is committed to safety, protection and assistance, environmental protection, sustainable energy supply, and is responsible for building permit procedures as well as the Bern Zoo. Protection and Rescue Bern unites the professional and militia fire brigade of the city of Bern, the Bern ambulance service, and the Bern plus civil protection organisation. It operates the emergency call centres 118 and 144. The prevention and intervention areas of Protection and Rescue Bern provide the best possible safety and protection around the clock – in the federal city, the Bern agglomeration, and the canton.

What you will achieve

• You develop the communication strategy further and position Protection and Rescue Bern effectively towards the public, politics, and stakeholders
• As a sparring partner for the executive management and leadership, you advise on strategic communication issues and identify opportunities and risks early
• You are responsible for media work. You maintain media contacts and, together with your team, take on the media on-call service
• In extraordinary situations and crises, you lead communication securely, swiftly, and appropriately for the target audience
• You accompany change and development processes communicatively and strengthen internal communication
• You continuously develop the digital communication channels and the positioning of Protection and Rescue Bern
• You lead the communications team, are responsible for budget and resources, and promote the development of your employees

What you bring

• Training in communication, journalism, public relations, or a comparable field forms your foundation
• You have several years of professional and leadership experience in strategic communication, ideally in a politically influenced or public environment, and bring experience in media work, crisis communication, and advising leadership bodies
• Networked thinking, understanding of political contexts, and the ability to reconcile different interests characterise you
• You convince with your excellent written and oral communication skills as well as your knowledge of the media landscape
• You are familiar with digital channels and change communication, and possess a high level of resilience

Your benefits in Bern

For purpose & city life

With us, you make a difference. You help shape city life, take responsibility, and make Bern more liveable.

Safety & stability

We offer you fair pay, clear structures, regulated working hours, and long-term prospects.

Room for your whole life

Our working model adapts, wherever possible, to your life. With us, you bring all areas of life into harmony.

Growing with Bern

We give you space for development, further training, and independent action.

Healthy in everyday life

With sport, exercise, and advice, you stay in shape: physically, mentally, socially – and not just at the workplace.

Everyday advantages

We offer you practical extras that make your everyday life easier and more enjoyable.

Contact

Would you like to learn more about this position and our team at the City of Bern? I look forward to meeting you and am happy to assist!

Stefanie Gerber

Head of Department Staff

031 321 49 45

Unsure if you meet all the requirements?

Your application process

This is how the application process works with us:

Step 1: Online application

Submit your application documents online via our job portal. To allow us to process your documents further, you must create a login. After submitting your application, you will receive a confirmation. We assess each application individually based on the criteria in the job advertisement. This sometimes takes a little time. If your application fits, we will contact you for a first interview.

Step 2: Interviews

In the interview – by phone, on site, or online – we want to get to know you. We check whether your expectations of the position match ours, what experience and skills you bring, whether you like our culture, and how you fit into the team. If there is mutual interest and depending on the position, several interviews may take place. All your questions about the position, the team, or the employment conditions are always welcome.

Step 3: Further steps in the process

Depending on the position, we arrange a trial or taster day, give you a professional task, organise a meeting with the team, or invite you to an assessment. Reference checks are usually also part of our application process. You will be transparently informed about all steps in the process.

Step 4: Application decision

Are you convinced by us and we by you? After a verbal offer, you will receive a confirmation, the contract documents, and information on how to proceed until you start the position. It did not work out? We look forward to you applying for other exciting positions despite a rejection.

For Bern. With heart. With impact.

More than 4,500 people work together in the City of Bern across five directorates and more than 80 professions. We are committed with passion and conviction to the people who live and work here. Together we shape the community and the future of this city – visible, tangible, sustainable. For our city. For Bern.