Job Description

The Wyss Academy for Nature is an international, mission-driven foundation accelerating solutions for biodiversity, climate and sustainable development. Working across science, policy, business and society, the Academy operates through four Regional Stewardship Hubs worldwide.
For the strategic phase 2026-2030, we are seeking a Chief Operating Officer (COO) (80-100%), who leads the Management Centre, reporting directly to the Director and serving as a member of the Executive Management.
Your role - supporting impact through strong operations and governance
You ensure that structures, systems, governance, culture and financial steering enable impact at scale in a complex international environment.
Tasks

• Lead the Management Centre (Finance & Controlling, People & Culture, Internal Services, ICT, Governance & Legal)
• Drive organizational development and change, incl. implementation of external evaluation recommendations
• Oversee financial steering, budgeting, reporting and risk management, incl. preparation for core funding renewal beyond 2030
• Shape People & Culture for a growing, multi-country organization (100+ employees)
• Ensure robust governance, compliance and operational excellence across Switzerland and international hubs
• This role is about consolidating and running the organisation well - strengthening internal processes so that science is translated into impact through the hubs.

Requirements

• Senior leadership experience (ideally 10+ years) as COO, Head of Operations or equivalent in complex organizations
• Strong track record in operations, finance and organizational development; mixed funding experience is a plus
• Solid understanding of Swiss institutional and regulatory contexts, combined with international exposure (Global South experience highly valued)
• Excellent English; good working knowledge of German (French/Spanish an advantage)

Location: Bern (with international travel)
Start: By agreement
Roy C. Hitchman AG, Bellerivestrasse 3, 8008 Zurich, phone +41 43 499 12 50.
Your contact person is Dr. Isabelle Nussli.
Roy C. Hitchman Executive Search AG

Skills Required