Managing Director SVIAL

About the job

From 1 December 2026 or by arrangement, we are looking for

Managing Director SVIAL (50–80%)

You don’t just want to manage, but to help shape?

SVIAL is the nationwide professional association for specialists in agricultural, food and related sciences. With around 1500 members, we connect people, universities, companies and organisations along the Swiss agro-food system.

From 1 December 2026 or by arrangement, we are looking for a committed individual to further develop SVIAL together with the presidency, the board, the commissions and the office.

What you will achieve:

• You design and lead projects, events and new offerings from idea to implementation.
• You maintain relationships with members, universities, companies and partner organisations.
• You implement the association’s strategy operationally.
• You rethink networking and develop formats that connect people from agricultural, food and related sciences in a contemporary way.
• You are responsible for member acquisition, member retention and community management.
• You manage budget and resources and continuously develop internal processes.
• You use digital tools purposefully and further develop communication, marketing and working methods.
• You support board meetings, coordinate board and commission work and accompany their implementation.

Depending on interest and workload, there is also the possibility to contribute your expertise to the association’s own teaching material publisher Edition-lmz AG.

What you bring:

• University degree in agricultural sciences – agronomy –, food sciences or a related field
• Professional experience and enjoyment in taking responsibility
• Strong can-do attitude and enthusiasm to independently drive topics forward
• Experience in project management and a good understanding of efficient processes
• Affinity for digital tools and new ways of working
• Strong communication and networking skills
• Organisational strength and the ability to manage several topics simultaneously
• Very good German skills as well as good French skills
• Willingness to travel within Switzerland for events and meetings

What we offer you:

• Versatile position with plenty of scope for design
• Short decision-making paths and collaboration in an agile team – leadership of 2 employees
• The opportunity to actively further develop a traditional association
• Direct access to a broad network from business, science, agriculture and the food industry
• A modern workplace in Zollikofen, flexible work organisation and possibility for remote work
• Space for your own ideas, new formats and innovative projects
• A role with visible impact on the future of the Swiss agro-food system

Are you interested?

Then we look forward to receiving your application in digital form by 8 October 2026 to your future supervisor Andreas Hügli.

Workload: 50–60 % (Managing Director SVIAL); additionally 20–30 % possible for teaching material development at the publisher
Workplace: Zollikofen / Remote / nationwide in Switzerland for events
Start date: from 1 December 2026 or by arrangement

Further information: Andreas Hügli, Chief Executive Officer SVIAL / Edition-lmz AG, a.huegli(at)edition-lmz.ch, 031 910 50 64