Head of Philanthropy

Lead and Develop Philanthropy Teams

• Lead, coach and support the Swiss fundraising team, fostering collaboration, innovation and accountability.
• Set objectives, monitor performance, support leadership development and ensure effective coordination across teams, locations and language regions.

Manage Strategic Donor Relationships

Together with the Engagement Director, cultivate and steward selected high-value relationships, including major foundations, major donors and HNWIs, strategic corporate partners and influential philanthropy leaders.

Increase Medair's Visibility and Influence in Switzerland

• Represent Medair within Swiss philanthropy networks, conferences and events.
• Build strategic partnerships that strengthen Medair's visibility, credibility and influence, while promoting innovation in humanitarian philanthropy.

Budget and Reporting

• Oversee philanthropy budgets, resource allocation, KPI monitoring and performance reporting to senior leadership.
• Ensure compliance with fundraising standards, internal policies and donor requirements.

Leadership Contribution

Contribute to Engagement leadership priorities, strengthen collaboration with Medair affiliates and deputise for the Engagement Director when required.

Qualifications, Experience & Technical Competencies

• 10+ years' successful leadership experience in fundraising, philanthropy, business development or sales, including accountability for multi-million CHF revenue portfolios.
• Proven ability to lead leaders and multi-disciplinary teams, with experience setting direction, developing capability and driving performance.
• Strong track record in cultivating major donors, foundations, corporates and strategic partnerships; experience in international NGOs or humanitarian organisations desirable.
• Fluency in English, French and German, including Swiss German; Italian is a strong asset.

Behavioural Skills

• Strategic thinker with the ability to translate vision into clear priorities and action.
• Inspiring and credible leader who builds trust with teams, senior stakeholders and major philanthropists.
• Strong relationship builder, able to engage effectively across cultures, sectors and language regions.
• Entrepreneurial and innovative, with sound judgement and a focus on sustainable growth.
• Resilient, collaborative and results-oriented, with the ability to adapt in a changing environment.

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Team Spiritual Life

Reflect the values of Medair with team members, local staff, people we serve, and external contacts. Work, live, and pray together in our Christian faith-based teams. Fully contribute to a rich spiritual team life, including team devotion, prayer, and words of encouragement.

Before you apply

Please ensure you are fully aware of the:

1. Medair organisational values.

2. Medair is committed to safeguarding the protection of beneficiaries, volunteers, staff and partners, and particularly children. Therefore, we do not employ staff whose background we understand to be unsuitable for working with children. Medair staff are required to give the utmost respect to, and comply with, Medair’s accountability policies and best practices.

3. Medair Relief & Recovery Orientation Course (ROC) (which forms part of the recruitment selection process for field positions).

Application Process

To apply, go to this vacancy on our Medair page. Only English-language applications / CVs will be reviewed.

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ROC Required

Job duration: Open-ended

Sector: Communications, Fundraising & Media

Country: Switzerland

Job type: Global Support Offices