Design Policy & Awards Liaison (Hybrid, 70%)

Hard Problems; Bern; Hybrid; CHF 90,000 - 110,000; Part time

Job summary

Federal Office of Culture in Bern, Switzerland seeks a Designer/Research Associate to shape policy in design, liaise with design institutions, and manage cross-cutting tasks within a 70% part-time, 18-month fixed-term contract. The role is hybrid with home-office options.

The candidate will coordinate with the Section for Cultural Creation and Awards, respond to motions, and develop design initiatives while ensuring high administrative standards and stakeholder engagement.

Qualifications

• University degree and strong knowledge of the design field, its institutions, and key actors.
• Experience managing complex projects in public or cultural settings.
• Interest in public administration and political contexts.
• Knowledge of current challenges for cultural practitioners and cross-cutting themes.
• Strong administrative, communication, and organisational skills.
• Very good command of at least two Swiss official languages and English.

Responsibilities

• Develop cultural policy in the design field on behalf of BAK.
• Respond to parliamentary motions and implement resulting decisions.
• Organise and run the Swiss Design Journey competition and Swiss Design Awards exhibition.
• Maintain contact with design institutions and key actors in the sector.
• Handle a range of administrative tasks and contribute to cross-cutting topics.

Skills

Design field knowledge

Project management

Public administration

Multilingual communication

Administrative skills

Education

University degree

Job description

Federal Office of Culture in Bern, Switzerland seeks a Designer/Research Associate to shape policy in design, liaise with design institutions, and manage cross-cutting tasks within a 70% part-time, 18-month fixed-term contract. The role is hybrid with home-office options.

The candidate will coordinate with the Section for Cultural Creation and Awards, respond to motions, and develop design initiatives while ensuring high administrative standards and stakeholder engagement.