Location: Swissnex in San Francisco
Status: Full-time, 40 hours/week
Start Date: April 1, 2025
Duration: 12 months
Reports to: Innovation and Entrepreneurship Lead

Swissnex is the Swiss global network connecting the dots in education, research, and innovation. Our impact is centered around empowering next generation innovators to become changemakers by connecting talents and expertise from Switzerland, North America and the world. The Swissnex global network consists of six locations and outposts established in the world’s most innovative hubs. We contribute to strengthening Switzerland’s profile as a world-leading innovation hotspot. 

Our work space is shared with corporate innovators, researchers, artists, and entrepreneurs, and is connected to an event space and our digital community. We work collaboratively and in a complementary manner with our neighbors at Pier 17, the Consulate General, the Swiss Business Hub USA and Switzerland Tourism. 

For over a decade, Swissnex has partnered with Innosuisse to help the most promising startups from Switzerland sharpen their entrepreneurial mindset, skills and networks to successfully establish a foothold in the US market. The program has actively supported the development and internationalization efforts of some of the most successful Swiss startups, including three unicorns (Mindmaze, Scandit and Nexthink) and other well-known startups such as Dacuda, Doodle, Beekeeper and Ava. We also work with Swiss universities and other Swiss-based startup support organizations to complement and expand their offerings with a link to Silicon Valley.

The Programs Associate is an individual who is excited to be a part of our ever-transforming program offers, and able to adapt as needed to new and changing responsibilities. In this position, you will play a crucial role in supporting in-person, digital, and hybrid formats of our programs, which include startup camps, research sabbaticals, and other programs and mandates. With a focus on entrepreneurship, the Programs Associate will mainly work with the startup program manager, assisting with the design and delivery of ongoing programs, but also the creation of new mission-aligned initiatives and partnerships, performing research as well as creating content (e.g. trends, benchmarking and insight reports).

Reporting to the Innovation and Entrepreneurship Lead, you will get the chance to shape how our current and new startup programs develop in the future – anticipating needs in the ever-changing global innovation ecosystem, and how Swissnex in San Francisco can diversify its streams of funding and maximize its impact. To succeed as a Programs Associate, you should be a self-starter and willing to take on new and challenging responsibilities. This internship offers unique exposure to international experts and thought-leaders from a variety of fields, and the possibility to learn hands-on about program design and management, event planning and execution, fundraising and more. As part of a small team with a bottom-up, informal culture, you can shape projects and outcomes, and learn with and from colleagues, partners and stakeholders, and build your own professional network within Silicon Valley’s innovation ecosystem.

• Program Building & Implementation (60%): Work with the startup program manager in ideating, building, coordinating and implementing ongoing programs related to entrepreneurship and startups; contribute ideas to improving and expanding existing offerings;
  
• Alumni and Mentor Community Support (20%): Support team in engaging our startup alumni and contribute to expanding the Swissnex mentorship program across the different verticals (startup, academia, creative industries
  
• Operational support, special projects, and other duties (20%): To be determined according to organizational needs and, where possible, candidate’s interests and abilities

• Has some experience with project management, working with external partners, content creation, or producing events, along with a demonstrated passion for science, art, innovation and the digital world, with a focus on entrepreneurship/startups
• Is an organizational talent and a doer. This role is primarily about organizing, executing and getting things done, along with some outcome-oriented research and writing
• Has excellent communication skills, including command of written and spoken English, and is fluent in at least one Swiss language
• Has had first touchpoints with the entrepreneurship ecosystem in Switzerland or the US – this can also include attendance/participation at relevant events and/or student organizations. Links to other stakeholder groups of Swissnex, such as researchers, designers (games, industrial, etc.) & artists, or corporate innovators is a plus
• Is an excellent problem-solver and team player, as well as proactive, independent, self-motivated, collaborative, energetic and detail-oriented. Flexibility and adaptability is crucial.
• Is interested in new technologies and loves to experiment with new digital tools. 
• Is willing to work evening hours as needed for events, and, if physically able, is comfortable with taking on work required for in-person event production (e.g. lifting chairs, stage elements, etc.)

• Gain work experience in an innovation-driven and fast-paced environment in one of the most dynamic regions of the world and collaborate with interesting partners in the fields of science, education, art and innovation in both Silicon Valley and Switzerland
• Be part of a creative, fun team, curating and producing programs and events
• Team environment that jointly creates interdisciplinary events to inspire and excite a variety of audiences
• Develop networking and project management skills and extend your personal network
• Internship compensation is USD 3’500/month, in compliance with guidelines of the Swiss Federal Government

• Candidate is a Swiss citizen or has a valid Swiss work permit for the duration of the internship
• Candidate currently studies in a university or university of applied sciences in Switzerland towards a Bachelor’s or Master’s degree OR the most recent university degree (Bachelor/Master) is not older than one year at the beginning of the internship (no exceptions are possible)
• Candidate has not gained professional experience in the field of his/her studies
• The total period of internships (“Hochschulpraktikum”/ “Stage académique”, including this one) within the Swiss confederation does not exceed 6 months for candidates who have not yet obtained their Bachelor’s degree or 12 months for those with a Bachelor’s or Master’s degree.

To be considered for the Programs Associate internship, you must apply through the link below and include your resume (CV) and a detailed cover letter not exceeding one page that answers: 

• why you are interested in this position and why you want to work at Swissnex, 
• why you should be chosen to join our team – including the experiences, personal qualities or strengths that make you well-suited for the position and

Any other documents that may support your candidacy are welcomed and can be attached via the application platform linked below. 

We encourage applications from candidates of all backgrounds, experiences, and perspectives. We believe that a diverse and inclusive workforce is essential for fostering creativity and achieving our organizational goals.

Click HERE to apply. Deadline to apply is January 5, 2025.

Full Time | Swissnex in Boston and New York

Location: Boston/Cambridge, MA
Desired starting date: April 1, 2025 (negotiable)

Swissnex connects Switzerland and the world in education, research, innovation, and the arts. Our vision is to nurture and orchestrate a global network of people and organizations that together advance the frontiers of knowledge and solve key issues for the world of tomorrow.​

In the role of Programs Associate, you will be a generalist responsible for supporting our Academic Engagement and Innovation teams on an ongoing basis, as well as helping the Arts and Creative Industries, Communications, and Operations teams on a project basis. Your main tasks will include:

• Executing programs and events in our focus areas that create value for Swiss and American stakeholders. In consultation with the Swissnex team, you will engage in all aspects of project creation and implementation.
• Conducting background research and identification of relevant contacts for clients and events.
• Supporting daily operations, logistics, hospitality, and administrative tasks.

The Innovation team provides services and programs to support Swiss startups exploring and expanding in the US. You will support the team through researching relevant partners, clients, and startups that meet our stakeholders’ needs, as well as executing events and projects that support the team’s mission.

You will support the Academic Engagement team by managing academic exchange programs and tailored services for Swiss universities, developing networks in American and Swiss higher education, hosting partners, and conducting research on specific topics of interest to academic partners.

You will support the Arts and Creative Industries, Operations, and Communications teams as needed related to specific events or projects.

• Academic background from any discipline
• Strong interest in the life sciences, international relations, and/or innovation sectors
• Evidence of program or event management, either individually or on a team
• Experience working in a team environment
• Independent research and structured presentation skills
• Ability to complete deadline-oriented tasks
• Flexibility to juggle multiple projects and tasks, and adapt to changing circumstances
• Strong interpersonal skills to relate to diverse stakeholders
• Strong orientation to client-focused hospitality and service
• International experiences and experience working with startups a plus

• Due to our status as a Consulate, applicants must be Swiss citizens. Non-Swiss citizens, including those with a permit B, C or any other status are not eligible for this position.
• This internship requires that the candidate studies in a university or university of applied sciences in Switzerland towards a bachelor’s or master’s degree, or has graduated within one year before the start date of the internship. 
• The candidate must not yet have professional work experience in the field of his/her studies.
• The total period of internships in the federal government (including this one) may not exceed 12 months. 
• Excellent written and spoken English is expected.

Please Note: applicants must fit all of these requirements to be considered.

• Desired starting date: April 1, 2025, negotiable. 
• This is a full-time position (40hrs/week) for 6 months.
• Location: Boston/Cambridge, USA
• Salary: USD 3’200 / monthly
• Four weeks of vacation per year (pro rata temporis) and select Swiss and US holidays
• A multicultural, creative, inspiring, stimulating and team-oriented work environment
• Continuing education possibilities and a platform to grow your skills, professional experience, and network.
• Experience in an international and highly dynamic environment (English as official working language), with ample networking opportunities.
• Limited domestic (US) travel may be undertaken to support projects and events.

Please submit your letter of motivation and CV in English. Emailed applications will not be considered. Please apply by January 8, 2025.

Applications will be evaluated on a rolling basis until then. Questions may be directed to Brendan Karch.