Swissnex in Brazil is seeking an innovative, driven, and creative Communications Lead based in São Paulo. Start: As soon as possible. Apply until 18 March, 2025. Twelve-month contract, with the possibility of conversion to a permanent position.

Swissnex is the global network connecting Switzerland and the world in education, research, innovation, and the arts. Our mission is to support the outreach and active engagement of our partners in the international exchange of knowledge, ideas, and talent. We thereby contribute to strengthening Switzerland’s profile as a world-leading innovation hotspot. Swissnex is an initiative of Switzerland’s State Secretariat for Education, Research and Innovation (SERI) and is part of the Swiss Confederation’s network abroad managed by the Federal Department of Foreign Affairs (FDFA). The activities of Swissnex are based on a collaborative approach, relying on public and private partnerships and funding. In Brazil, Swissnex is based in São Paulo and Rio de Janeiro, running activities all over the country.

The Communications Lead is a key team member responsible for shaping and executing the communications, branding, and marketing strategy of Swissnex in Brazil. In this role, the successful candidate will oversee Swissnex’s diverse communication efforts targeting Switzerland and Brazil, working closely with a team of program managers and interns in Brazil, as well as the rest of the global Swissnex network. Reporting directly to the CEO of Swissnex in Brazil, the Communications Lead may also supervise a São Paulo-based content writer. This is a unique opportunity to shape Swissnex’s narrative and enhance its visibility and impact in Brazil, Switzerland, and beyond. 

Communications 

• Develop and execute institutional and project-based communications and marketing strategies, plans, and campaigns, ensuring alignment with Swissnex’s global approach and strategy.
• Manage and update the website of Swissnex in Brazil, including event pages, blog posts, and news articles.
• Develop and distribute the monthly newsletter of Swissnex in Brazil.
• Help produce Swissnex’s Annual Report.
• Maintain and update branding guidelines, templates, and collateral, ensuring consistency with Swissnex’s global brand and message.
• Analyze and report on the effectiveness of communication strategies and campaigns.
• Develop and implement templates and tools to streamline internal communication processes.
• Manage relationships with third parties (vendors, designers, communications agencies, consultants).

Public Relations

• Foster relationships with local media and manage press relations.
• Create press releases.
• Coordinate and manage public relations efforts in Brazil.
• Manage relationships with external PR agencies to ensure effective communication and outreach.

Visual Content

• Select and produce high-quality visual content, including videos and graphic designs, to support global and local communication efforts.
• Collaborate with the global network to ensure visual content is consistent with Swissnex’s branding and messaging.
• Develop innovative and engaging visual materials to promote Swissnex’s initiatives and events.

General Swissnex Tasks

• Actively contribute to the organization and execution of events and other in-person activities. 
• Support the Swissnex’s team various administrative and operational tasks, as needed.
• Participate in meetings, workshops, and events to represent Swissnex and contribute to its overall mission.

What We Look For

• Bachelor’s degree in communications, marketing, public relations, or a related field.
• Three to five years of experience in a similar role.
• Creative, proactive, and flexible communications leader with a collaborative mindset, a strong sense of responsibility, and a curious, forward-thinking approach to exploring a wide range of topics and challenges.
• Impeccable written and verbal communication skills in English and Portuguese.
• Highly detail-oriented, as the role requires being the final reviewer before publication.
• Tech-savvy with a strong grasp of social media strategy, digital tools, content management systems, and analytics software. Proficient in leveraging social media platforms and data-driven insights to enhance engagement and reach.
• Demonstrated experience in elements of creative design, for example, print layout, photography, or video editing. Podcasting is a plus. Experience with Adobe Creative Suite (Photoshop, InDesign and/or Premiere Pro) is a plus.
• Good political awareness and diplomatic skills to navigate a complex, multi-stakeholder, partnership-based environment.
• Strong organizational and project management skills.
• Willingness to work mainly in person from the Swissnex office in São Paulo. Ability to work outside regular office hours on occasion when needed, mainly for events and visiting groups.
• Interest and enthusiasm for the Swissnex’s mission at the intersection of science, technology, design, and the arts. Interest in Swiss culture or knowledge of one of the Swiss national languages is a plus.

• This is a 100% position; ideal start date 1st March 2025.
• Compensation based on local salary benchmarks.
• Brazilian work permit or citizenship required.
• The position requires flexible work hours, incl. some evenings and weekends.

Apply here.

A Junior Project Manager position is open in São Paulo. Start: ideally, 1st April 2025.

The mission of Swissnex in Brazil is to nurture the Swiss innovation ecosystem with ideas, concepts and contacts to help Switzerland maintain and strengthen its competitive edge. We foster dialogue and enable collaboration among opinion leaders, researchers and practitioners in education, research and innovation between Brazil and Switzerland. As part of the Swissnex global network, we connect Switzerland, Brazil and the world in education, research and innovation. We support the outreach and active engagement of our partners in the international exchange of knowledge, ideas and talent. The six main Swissnex locations are established in some of the world’s most innovative regions: Boston, Brazil, China, India, Japan and San Francisco. Swissnex is an initiative of the State Secretariat for Education, Research and Innovation of Switzerland and is part of the Swiss Confederation’s network abroad managed by the Federal Department of Foreign Affairs.

As part of the Swissnex team in Brazil, you are expected to take ownership of accomplishing new and different requests from Swiss and Brazilian stakeholders. You will be working in some of the most dynamic cities in the world, where opportunities and encounters are constantly happening. You will have the chance to explore such opportunities and contribute directly to innovative, scientific and entrepreneurial projects by giving inputs, connecting people, doing research, organizing events and coordinating suppliers.

Reactively and proactively work with the Swissnex CEO and the core team of Swissnex Brazil in Rio de Janeiro and São Paulo to accomplish tasks and respond to requests; assist and, where possible, take full ownership of the professional implementation of projects and events; and contribute with new ideas and initiatives to further Swissnex’ unique mission and objectives. That includes:

• Event Planning & Management: active participation in and contribution to events and learning expeditions/delegation visits;
• Logistics & Administration: active support with logistics needed to run Swissnex, its office and events; 
• ‘Connecting the dots’ & Networking: act as a connector between people and ideas.

Event Planning & Management:  

• Conduct research & participate in brainstorming for event topics;
• Independent planning, preparation, and execution of projects and events;
• Identify, contact, and coach potential speakers/exhibitors/participants;
• Manage local stakeholders, service companies, and suppliers;
• Assist with public relations and communication between partners, sponsors, and other project partners.

Logistics & Administration:

• Draft funding applications and reports;
• Update and maintain event project database;
• Logistical organization, including setting up the event room, cleaning, welcoming, and registering guests;
• Take charge of AV management during events & generally support the ‘back-end’ of events;
• Execute administrative duties such as assisting in-office maintenance, basic IT support, mail distribution, and hospitality.

‘Connecting the dots’ & Networking: 

• Reactively and proactively promote collaboration between people and organizations in Switzerland and Brazil;
• Occasionally attend events, conferences, and meetings as a Swissnex representative, and share contacts, findings, and learnings with the Swissnex team.

What we look for in a Candidate

General / Personality

• Outgoing, communicative; avid networker and connector;
• Independent, self-motivated;
• Hands-on, proactive;
• Visionary, creative, resourceful;
• Passionate about Brazil;
• Dedication to further Swiss excellence in science, education, innovation, and art.

Background / Experience

• Recent Bachelor’s or Master’s degree (starting date maximum 1 year after graduation date);
• Proven experience planning and managing events and/or projects; 
• Professional mastery of Portuguese language (reading and speaking, B2 level or more); 
• Professional mastery of at least one Swiss national language; 
• Professional mastery of the English language; 
• International experience (Brazilian and Swiss experience a plus).

Skills

• Proven organizational skills and ability to multi-task;
• Ability to independently implement projects;
• Excellent people and communication skills (verbal and written);
• Attention to detail;
• Solid time management and ability to prioritize;
• Web and social media savvy are a plus.

Important Information

• This is a 100% position. Ideal start date: 1st of April 2025;
• Contract minimum duration: 6 months, maximum 12 months;
• The position requires flexible hours, including some evenings and weekends;
• Swiss citizenship or EU studying/recent graduate in Switzerland + valid work permit in Switzerland required;
• Candidates with dual nationality, Swiss and Brazilian, are not eligible for this position;
• Proficiency in the Portuguese language is mandatory.