Director of the Legal Affairs Department (100%)

About the job

An internationally recognised institution of excellence, the University of Geneva brings together nearly 18,200 students and 6,500 staff from academic, scientific, administrative and technical fields. A major player in the development of knowledge for over 450 years, it embodies a public interest mission based on research, education and service to society, in a spirit of openness, diversity and responsibility.

To succeed the current holder who will soon retire, the University of Geneva offers a position of:

Director of the Legal Affairs Department (100%)

Directly reporting to the Rector, you hold a strategic position at the heart of the University’s governance. As the institution’s legal reference, you advise the Rectorate and support the university community on complex and sensitive issues, assessing legal risks and their institutional implications.

You lead the Legal Affairs Department and are responsible for the quality of its services. As a member of the Executive Committee (CODIR), you also work within several institutional bodies.

Your main responsibilities:

• Advise the Rector, the Rectorate and University bodies on legal and strategic matters, identifying risks and making recommendations adapted to institutional challenges;
• Manage the Legal Affairs Department, supervise and motivate its team, and define its priorities in line with the University’s strategy and objectives;
• Ensure the quality, consistency and legal security of files handled by the Department, including legal opinions, decisions and acts with significant implications for the institution;
• Oversee administrative, disciplinary and contentious procedures, whether judicial or non-judicial, and represent the University before competent authorities and bodies;
• Supervise institutional investigations and inquiries and ensure the coherence of the regulatory framework;
• Negotiate, draft and secure complex agreements, conventions and contracts, and represent UNIGE with authorities, institutional partners and other external stakeholders.

Your profile and assets for success in this role:

Holder of a Master’s degree in law and a lawyer’s licence, you have 7 to 10 years of professional experience in a comparable senior role within a large institution or organisation, as well as proven management experience. You possess recognised expertise in legal and strategic advice, as well as an excellent ability to understand complex issues and their institutional stakes. Your experience in negotiation, mediation and crisis management enables you to act confidently in sensitive contexts.

With a strategic vision, excellent interpersonal skills and sound judgement, you combine autonomy, diplomacy and ethical rigour. You know how to operate at the highest level of an organisation and integrate the institutional and political dimension into your recommendations. A native French speaker, you have perfect command of English and good proficiency in German.

Why join UNIGE?

A key role at the heart of the governance of an internationally renowned institution, offering the opportunity to contribute directly to its strategic directions, risk management and the evolution of its institutional framework.

Your complete application file must be submitted exclusively online on the UNIGE job offers website . Paper applications are not accepted.