Operations Manager

Michael Page; Genf; Hybrid; CHF 115,000 - 170,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Autonomy

Direct exposure to decision-makers

Geneva location

Competitive non-profit salary

Job summary

Michael Page is recruiting for a Foundation-focused role embedded in a fast-moving environment where you will build and run day-to-day operations from day one. The position offers significant autonomy and direct exposure to key decision-makers, with a strong Geneva presence and a mission-driven, startup-like atmosphere.

You will lead governance, finance, and operational initiatives, coordinating across stakeholders and advisors while embedding AI-enabled ways of working to drive impact and

Responsibilities

• Establish and continuously improve the Foundation's operating processes
• Create efficient ways of working, ensuring smooth day-to-day operations
• Coordinate projects and initiatives across different stakeholders
• Track priorities, deadlines, actions and deliverables
• Support the implementation and follow-up of Foundation activities
• Organise Board and committee meetings
• Prepare agendas, materials, meeting minutes and action plans
• Ensure key decisions are documented and followed through
• Coordinate interactions with external advisors and partners
• Coordinate relationships with external service providers
• Support budgeting, invoice management and reporting activities
• Ensure accurate record-keeping and documentation
• Monitor grant and beneficiary payment processes and ensure accurate reporting and documentation
• Ensure compliance with Swiss foundation law, governance requirements and obligations towards supervisory authorities
• Support accounting activities, annual financial statements preparation, audit processes and financial reporting
• Lead operational projects from idea to execution
• Research topics, prepare briefing materials and support decision-making
• Coordinate events, workshops and stakeholder meetings
• Take ownership of new initiatives as the Foundation evolves
• Identify and implement AI-driven solutions across administration, finance, governance, stakeholder management and operational activities
• Help embed AI into the Foundation's operating model and identify opportunities for automation, data analysis and decision support
• Act as an internal catalyst for innovation and adoption of emerging technologies

Job description

• Unique opportunity to join and help shape a growing organisation from day one.
• High level of autonomy with direct exposure to key decision-makers.

• Unique opportunity to join and help shape a growing organisation from day one.
• High level of autonomy with direct exposure to key decision-makers.

About Our Client

Foundation

Job Description

Build and Run Operations

• Establish and continuously improve the Foundation's operating processes
• Create efficient ways of working, ensuring smooth day-to-day operations
• Coordinate projects and initiatives across different stakeholders
• Track priorities, deadlines, actions and deliverables
• Support the implementation and follow-up of Foundation activities

Support Governance and Decision-Making

• Organise Board and committee meetings
• Prepare agendas, materials, meeting minutes and action plans
• Ensure key decisions are documented and followed through
• Coordinate interactions with external advisors and partners

Manage Administration and Finance

• Coordinate relationships with external service providers
• Support budgeting, invoice management and reporting activities
• Ensure accurate record-keeping and documentation
• Monitor grant and beneficiary payment processes and ensure accurate reporting and documentation.
• Ensure compliance with Swiss foundation law, governance requirements and obligations towards supervisoryauthorities
• Support accounting activities, annual financial statements preparation, audit processes and financial reporting

Drive Projects and Special Initiatives

• Lead operational projects from idea to execution
• Research topics, prepare briefing materials and support decision-making
• Coordinate events, workshops and stakeholder meetings
• Take ownership of new initiatives as the Foundation evolves

Champion Smart Ways of Working

• Identify and implement AI-driven solutions across administration, finance, governance, stakeholder management andoperational activities
• Help embed AI into the Foundation's operating model and identify opportunities for automation, data analysis anddecision support
• Act as an internal catalyst for innovation and adoption of emerging technologies

The Successful Applicant

• Approximately 4-7 years of professional experience in operations, project management, startup environments,consulting, foundations, NGOs or similar fast-paced organisations
• Strong project management and organisational skills
• Demonstrated ability to integrate AI tools into day-to-day work processes and organisational workflows.
• A genuine interest in digital freedom, privacy, technology governance and societal impact would be highly valued.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills in English and in French (German will be a plus)
• High level of discretion, professionalism and integrity
• Proficiency with modern digital tools and collaborative platforms
• Interest in technology, innovation and AI-enabled ways of working is a strong advantage

What's on Offer

• This is a rare opportunity to help build an organisation from the ground up.
• You will have significant autonomy, direct exposure to decision-makers, and the chance to shape how the Foundation operates from day one. We are looking for someone who enjoys building, learning, adapting and creating meaningful impact in a lean and entrepreneurial environment.
• A rare opportunity to build a new foundation with a strong mission and international reach, run with the agility of a startup.
• Direct collaboration with a committed Board of Trustees and with the wider ecosystem of its founding organisation.
• Flexibility in work location, with a strong presence in Geneva.
• Competitive salary adapted to the non-profit context

Quote job ref: JN-102026-7134650