The Swiss Arts Council Pro Helvetia employs around 110 staff members in Switzerland and in six branch offices abroad who are dedicated to promoting Swiss arts and culture.

Through our activities we support and enhance the quality and variety of professional artistic creation and its diffusion around the world. Equal employment opportunities and a diverse workforce are fundamental principles at Pro Helvetia.

We are seeking, as of 1 December 2025 or by arrangement, an experienced personality well versed in the Swiss arts and culture scene as

Head Performing Arts, Music & Literature; Member of the Executive Committee (80-90%)

What we offer

  • A dynamic, national and international, culturally and politically engaged environment

  • Scope for own initiative and responsibility

  • An attractive workplace in the heart of Zurich’s old town and the possibility of partly working from home

  • Very good social security contributions, including child care allowances and supplementary family allowances

  • 31 vacation days (+5 additional days as of age 50)

  • Contribution to a Swiss railway half fare card or a GA travelcard

  • Neutral point of contact/advisory service for employees

  • Willingness on the part of Pro Helvetia to remove barriers and make workplaces accessible

Your tasks

As Head of the Performing Arts, Music & Literature Sector, you are responsible for the execution of the support activities and the strategic developments in these fields, as well as for the controlling and evaluation of projects. You lead three divisional heads and are a member of the Executive Committee. In this role, you contribute to a coherent management culture, the implementation of Pro Helvetia’s various undertakings and the further development of the Arts Council’s overall strategy, for example in the drafting of the government’s cultural policy statement (“Kulturbotschaft”) or conducting negotiations with external partners.

Your profile

For this multifunctional position we are seeking a committed personality who meets the following requirements as best possible:

  • University degree, advanced professional diploma or equivalent education

  • Multi-year professional and management experience at a Swiss cultural promotion institution 

  • Good connections in the Swiss cultural scene and broad-based cultural and political knowledge 

  • Strategic thinking and ability to cope well with complex tasks 

  • Negotiation skills and experience in representational functions 

  • Very good oral and written command of at least two Swiss national languages and of English  

Application

We look forward to receiving your application by 16 May 2025.

It should include your CV and a motivation letter or video (approx. 90 seconds, with link contained in CV) in which you outline your interest and your experience to date. Please also attach certificates of education and training (diplomas, etc.) and evidence of your practical experience (work confirmations and references). In the case of applications for top sharing, we expect a written proposal as to how the tasks are to be divided up. Non-formal or informal education tracks are also taken into account in the assessment of your dossier.

The position is limited to 10 years (term limit). 

Should you have any questions, please contact Marion Lautner.

Marion Lautner
Human Resources
+41 44 267 71 41
[email protected]

Pro Helvetia
Swiss Arts Council
Hirschengraben 22
CH-8024 Zürich
prohelvetia.ch