Location: Swissnex in San Francisco
Status: Full-time, 40 hours/week
Start Date: January 1, 2027, or by agreement
Reports to: Head of Programs

Do you want to join the global Swissnex network and build meaningful connections across startups, science, education, the arts, and innovation in both Silicon Valley and Switzerland? This is your chance!

As an Academic Engagement Program Manager, you are responsible for creating, managing and continuously improving Swissnex’s academic programs in San Francisco. You lead the end-to-end execution of academic programs and serve as the primary point of contact for researchers, scientists, university staff, and students across institutions in Switzerland and the Bay Area.

You work closely with other Swissnex Program Managers, particularly on intersecting programs, as well as other Swissnex colleagues and a broad network of Swiss and Bay Area researchers, scientists, and academic stakeholders. Your role combines program management, ecosystem and stakeholder engagement, operational coordination, and community building in a fast-paced, international environment.

• Execution and Development of Academic Programs (60%)
• Academic Stakeholder Management and Network & Partnerships Development (20%)
• Program Operational and Communications Support (20%)

• Bachelor’s degree; ideally in a relevant field
• Master’s degree and/or 2–5 years of relevant professional experience
• Experience working with or within Swiss and/or American universities or research institutions and an interest in actively developing a broader academic network across Switzerland and the Bay Area
• Proven interest in education, research, science, and innovation
• Experience managing projects and programs, with familiarity with project management and CRM tools
• Excellent English communication skills, both written and verbal
• Proficiency in at least one Swiss national language is strongly preferred
• Ability to operate effectively in a fast-paced and dynamic environment
• Mandatory: Due to our legal status as an annex of the Swiss Consulate, we can only hire candidates who are Swiss or US citizens or permanent residents. There can be no exceptions

• For U.S. applicants, subject to U.S. taxes
• For Swiss applicants, who are not subject to U.S. taxes, the salary range will be adjusted to reflect an equivalent purchasing power (i.e., a lower range)

• 20 days of vacation, 12+ annual holidays, sick leave, health, dental, and vision insurance
• Flexibility to work remotely for 1 week each year from anywhere in the U.S. or Switzerland and option of working from home 2 days a week
• Opportunities for professional development, including dedicated funding for continuing education and training
• Opportunity to work at the heart of the Bay Area, embedded in one of the world’s most dynamic startup and innovation ecosystems
• Business travel as needed to Switzerland to engage with partners and strengthen cross-border collaboration

Swissnex in San Francisco connects the dots between Switzerland and the West Coast of the USA in education, research, innovation, and the arts. We foster international collaboration and empower next generation innovators to create futures in which the planet and society thrives. In service of this goal, our dynamic and international team produces academic, corporate and creative industry programs, startup bootcamps, events and much more.

As an employer, we established a collaborative and purpose-driven team culture and care about an environment that encourages innovation, experimentation, and creative problem-solving. We believe that a diverse and inclusive workforce is essential for fostering creativity and achieving our organizational goals.

We look forward to receiving your application. Please apply through this link and include both your resume (CV) and a brief, original cover letter tailored to this position that details your qualifications and interest in the position. We read every cover letter and appreciate the time you spend writing one. Please see the instructions on the application page before writing your letter.

Deadline to apply: September 27, 2026
We follow up with every applicant.

We are looking for a Finance and Human Resource Specialist to join us as early as September 2026.

The Finance and HR Specialist is responsible across the Finance and Human Resource (HR) functions. Reporting to the Head of Personnel, Finance, IT and Administration, the role is responsible for financial administration, budgeting, payroll coordination, recruitment, HR administration and reporting while ensuring accuracy, compliance and efficient day-to-day operations. The role requires strong financial and analytical skills, attention to detail, discretion and the ability to manage multiple priorities in a dynamic international environment. Flexibility to occasionally support evening or weekend assignments is also expected.

You will join a small, collaborative team where no two days are the same. While you’ll be our go-to person for finance, HR, administration and keeping us compliant, you’ll also become part of a workplace that values curiosity, initiative and a healthy dose of humour. We are looking for someone who enjoys bringing order to complexity, takes ownership of their work and isn’t afraid to roll up their sleeves when needed. Accuracy is important but so is adaptability.