Head of Urban Planning / Environment / Energy

About the job

Starting date
1 January 2027 or by arrangement
Percentage of position
100%
Description
The city of Solothurn is reorganising its urban planning department. The local planning revision is nearing completion, and the land use plans and major urban development projects are upcoming. The task is to communicate the set objectives externally, consistently demand and implement them. Solothurn is not only a city of culture but also a city of energy and is committed to sustainable spatial and environmental planning. For the Urban Planning / Environment / Energy division in the Department of Construction and Environment, we are looking for a dedicated individual to start immediately or by arrangement as

Responsibilities

• Professional and personnel management of the Urban Planning / Environment / Energy division.
• Independent management of complex planning procedures, especially land use, development, and design plans as well as higher-level and cantonal planning.
• Professional responsibility for environmental and energy topics. Implementation is partly carried out through external mandates, which you define, commission, manage, and control.
• Representation of the division's affairs in political authorities and specialist commissions.
• Preparation of proposals, statements, and decision-making bases for political bodies.
• Financial planning, budget, and annual report of the division.
• Representation of the city's interests towards developers, landowners, external planners, and cantonal authorities.

• Completed studies as a certified architect ETH or architect HTL / FH with a postgraduate diploma in spatial planning or an equivalent qualification with relevant experience.
• Several years of experience in managing formal planning procedures, ideally in a municipal or cantonal environment.
• Leadership experience is an advantage; in any case, willingness to take responsibility for a division.
• Sense for political processes and procedures in public administration as well as experience in dealing with political bodies.
• Understanding of planning law, ecological, and economic contexts.
• Strong communication skills, confident German language skills in speech and writing, and a confident manner towards authorities and private individuals.
• Structured, independent working style and conceptual thinking.

• A leadership role with great scope for design and visible impact in a lively small town with a significant old town.
• The opportunity to help shape the division: The project management for spatial planning will be staffed in parallel, and you will be involved in the selection.
• Challenging projects from the implementation of the local planning revision to the major development areas of the city.
• Short distances, direct access to the department management and political bodies.
• Modern work tools, contemporary employment conditions, flexible working hours, and interesting training opportunities.
• A workplace in Solothurn's old town, a few minutes' walk from the train station.