Director for Strategy and Chief of Staff (m/w/x)

• 06 October 2026
• 100%
• Indefinite duration
• 58 Avenue Louis-Casaï, 1216 Cointrin
• Log in to see the salary estimate from jobup.ch

About the Oak Foundation
The mission of the Oak Foundation (www.oakfnd.org) is to contribute to a safer, fairer, and more sustainable world. With offices in Europe, Africa, and North America, the Oak Foundation provides grants to organizations worldwide.

Director of Strategy and Chief of Staff (m/f/x)

Location: Geneva (Switzerland)

Contract type: Full-time, permanent
Reporting to: President of the Oak Foundation
Application deadline: 21 October 2026 at 9:00 AM CET

Job Objective
The Oak Foundation is currently looking for a Director of Strategy and Chief of Staff to work directly with the President. The President of Oak leads the foundation's daily operations, reporting to the Chair of the Board and the Board of Directors. The Director of Strategy and Chief of Staff is a senior and cross-functional leadership role, working closely with the President and the directors to advance the Foundation's strategic priorities and strengthen alignment, learning, and collaboration within the organization.

The position also includes significant managerial responsibility, including the direct management of 11 employees, as well as the supervision of teams/functions responsible for organizational strengthening, safeguarding, impact, monitoring, evaluation and learning, board support, as well as the Zimbabwe office and the Oak Foundation Denmark.

Responsibilities

• Provide strategic advice and support to the President and the directors.
• Translate organizational priorities into clear plans and coordinated actions.
• Lead Foundation-wide strategic initiatives and organizational changes.
• Anticipate opportunities, risks, and emerging developments that may affect the Foundation or its work while strengthening collaboration and alignment between programs and functions.
• Serve as a trusted strategic advisor to the President by providing analysis, perspectives, and recommendations.
• Translate the directions of the directors and the President into action plans while identifying priorities, facilitating decision-making, and helping to strengthen the leadership team.
• Manage strategic partnerships with other foundations and partners, and represent Oak externally if necessary.
• Lead the teams of the President's office and the country offices.
• Ensure strategic supervision of key meetings and events Foundation-wide, including facilitation and organization.
• Support and perform other tasks as requested.

For a full description of the functions, please contact jobs@oakfnd.ch.

Job Requirements

• University degree in public administration, business administration, or a field of intervention of the Oak Foundation.
• At least 12 years of relevant professional experience.
• Significant experience in advising senior executives and working with leadership teams.
• A solid track record in leading strategic initiatives and organizational changes.
• Experience in managing geographically dispersed and intercultural teams.
• Excellent strategic, analytical, project management, and communication skills.
• High emotional intelligence, good judgment, and discretion.
• Inclusive, collaborative, and solution-oriented leadership style.
• Excellent command of English; good command of French would be an asset.
• Availability for international travel approximately three to four times per year.
• Demonstrated commitment to the values of the Oak Foundation.
• Swiss/EU citizenship or valid work permit required.

The Foundation's working mode is hybrid, combining teleworking and office presence. Team members are expected in the Oak Foundation office in Geneva three days a week (Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday). Mondays and Fridays are optional teleworking days. Candidates must reside in Switzerland at the time of hire due to cross-border regulatory requirements and travel obligations.

How to apply:

To apply, please send your CV and a cover letter describing, in English, your vision of the future of philanthropy in the next five years. No applications received after 21 October at 9:00 AM CET will be considered.

By submitting your application, you confirm that you have read and understood our candidate privacy notice.

The Oak Foundation is committed to protecting and promoting the well-being of children, as detailed in our child safeguarding policy. We expect all staff to share this commitment. Please note that the successful candidate will be subject to reference checks and must provide a criminal record extract before starting their employment.