Head of Legal Services Directorate for Education, Social Affairs and Sport

About the job

Head of Legal Services Directorate for Education, Social Affairs and Sport

Become part of our team

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

At the Directorate for Education, Social Affairs and Sport (BSS), people are at the centre. The General Secretariat is the hub of the directorate.

What you will achieve

• Advising the directorate, the General Secretariat and the BSS departments as well as external stakeholders, including service contract partners, on legal matters.
• Managing the contract affairs of the directorate and departments (private and public law contracts including service contracts).
• Participating in legislation and the development of regulations, ordinances, and administrative regulations.
• Conducting administrative procedures and representing the city in appeal and other legal proceedings. Instructing internal municipal appeal procedures and preparing appeal decisions.
• Handling supervisory law notifications and managing matters of the departments and directorate.
• Managing the secretariat of the Social Welfare Commission.
• Personnel and professional leadership of a legal officer.

What you bring

• University degree in law (lic. iur. or MLaw); bar admission is an advantage.
• Several years of professional experience in a comparable role in public administration or the private sector.
• Excellent legal knowledge and sound understanding of the organisation and processes of administration.
• Strong political understanding and good knowledge of political communication and procedures.
• Excellent oral and written communication skills with precise and audience-appropriate communication.
• Structured, independent, and solution-oriented working style.

Your benefits in Bern

For purpose & city life

With us, you make a difference. You help shape city life, take responsibility, and make Bern a better place to live.

Security & stability

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

Space for your whole life

Our working model adapts to your life wherever possible. With us, you can balance all areas of life.

Growing with Bern

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

Healthy in everyday life

With sport, exercise, and advice, you stay fit: physically, mentally, socially – and not just at work.

Everyday advantages

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

Contact

If you have questions about the application process or the employer City of Bern, I am happy to assist you.

If you want to learn more about this position and our team at the City of Bern, I look forward to meeting you and am happy to help!

Rahel Ruch

General Secretary

031 321 76 23

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, 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, contract documents, and information on the next steps until you start the position. It didn’t work out? We look forward to your applications 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 passionately and convincingly committed 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.