Description

European Respiratory Society is an international orga
People and Organisation Director
European Respiratory Society is an international organisation that brings together physicians, healthcare professionals, scientists and other experts working in respiratory medicine. We are one of the leading medical organisations in the respiratory field, with a growing membership representing over 140 countries worldwide.
We are looking for an experienced and pragmatic People & Organization Director to help shape and strengthen the organisational, managerial, and people foundations supporting our mission.
This is a strategic standalone role, positioned at Director level and reporting directly to the Executive Director. The role combines organisational thinking, talent development, and people-related decision-making, while acting as an enabler for management teams across the organisation.
The position is based in Lausanne, with scope across our locations in Lausanne, Sheffield, and Brussels.
People and Organisation Director
Key Responsibilities
Organisational Alignment & Effectiveness
Support organisational evolution in line with strategic priorities
Ensure clarity of roles, responsibilities, and ways of working
Contribute to organisational effectiveness, collaboration, and sustainable delivery
Act as a trusted sparring partner to the Executive Director and management team
Talent, Growth & Performance
Frame and support recruitment-related decisions and practices to ensure alignment with organisational priorities, fairness, and sound judgment
Ensure recruitment approaches are pragmatic, equitable, and non-discriminatory, while supporting diversity of profiles and backgrounds
Drive a pragmatic and fair approach to performance management
Develop key organisational capabilities and learning approaches
Foster a culture of feedback, accountability, and continuous improvement
Support managers in handling sensitive or complex people situations
Employee Experience & Culture
Help create a coherent, inclusive, and sustainable employee experience
Support effective ways of working and employee engagement across locations
Strengthen internal communication, collaboration, and sense of belonging
Contribute to shaping and embedding leadership and cultural principles
HR Framework & Governance
Ensure fair, pragmatic, and compliant people practices aligned with local contexts and regulations
Lead compensation and total rewards frameworks
Anticipate and manage HR-related risks and sensitive situations
Ensure alignment between people decisions and organizational constraints
Work closely with Finance on HR administration, payroll coordination, and resource allocation
Profile
University degree or equivalent continuing education deemed relevant for the role
Minimum 15 years of experience in senior HR leadership positions, including experience as HR Director or equivalent
Strong experience in international and multicultural environments
Fluency in both French and English (written and spoken)
Solid understanding of organisational dynamics, leadership, and people-related decision-making
Ability to combine strategic thinking with pragmatic execution
Strong interpersonal, influencing, and communication skills
Comfortable operating in evolving and resource-conscious environments
Swiss citizen or a valid Swiss permit
What We Offer
A meaningful and impactful role within an international non-profit organization
High level of autonomy and contribution to strategic discussions
Flexible working arrangements and possibility to work remotely
Offices conveniently located close to Lausanne train station
A collaborative and human-centered work environment
Start date: January 2027 jid0b0d5b2aen jit0623aen jpiy26aen