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Head of Planning Department / Municipal Planner - Job Opportunity at Gemeinde Köniz

Köniz, Switzerland
Full-time
Senior
Posted: April 20, 2025
Hybrid
CHF 130,000 - 160,000 annually based on Swiss public sector standards and role scope

Benefits

Flexible annual working time model with 80-100% employment options
Minimum 26 vacation days with age-based additional days
Option for 1-2 weeks unpaid leave annually
Role-specific home office arrangements enabling work-life balance
Comprehensive professional development and individual training programs
Childcare support days
Collaborative and respectful work environment

Key Responsibilities

Strategic leadership of Planning Department with three divisions and 13 staff members
Development and implementation of municipal spatial planning strategies
Oversight of major area development projects and value capture financing
Management of stakeholder relations and political consensus building
Public representation and advocacy for municipal planning interests
Participation in Construction and Planning Commission

Requirements

Education

University degree in Urban Planning, Geography, Landscape Architecture, Architecture or related field with additional spatial planning qualification

Experience

Multiple years of experience in spatial planning/development

Required Skills

Leadership and strategic management Stakeholder management and negotiation Communication and public relations Project management Innovation and strategic thinking Resilience and adaptability
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Sauge AI Market Intelligence

Industry Trends

Increasing focus on sustainable urban development and climate resilience in Swiss municipal planning Growing complexity in balancing urban densification with quality of life considerations Rising importance of participatory planning processes and stakeholder engagement Integration of smart city concepts and digital transformation in urban planning

Role Significance

Direct leadership of 13 staff members across three specialized planning divisions
Senior leadership position with direct impact on community development and quality of life for 44,000 residents

Key Projects

Municipal spatial development strategy implementation Large-scale urban development projects Public space and housing development initiatives Strategic environmental and infrastructure planning

Success Factors

Ability to balance diverse stakeholder interests while maintaining strategic vision Strong political acumen and consensus-building capabilities Technical expertise combined with leadership skills Innovation in sustainable urban development approaches

Market Demand

High demand for experienced urban planners in Switzerland due to increasing urbanization challenges and sustainability requirements

Important Skills

Critical Skills

Strategic planning and implementation expertise Political communication and stakeholder management Team leadership and change management Technical urban planning knowledge

Beneficial Skills

Digital planning tools and GIS expertise Sustainability and climate adaptation knowledge Public participation methodologies Project portfolio management

Unique Aspects

Rare opportunity to shape development of major Swiss municipality
Balanced urban-rural planning context
High degree of autonomy in strategic planning
Strong focus on sustainable development and quality of life

Career Growth

3-5 years in position typical before advancement to larger municipality or regional role

Potential Next Roles

Regional Planning Director Head of Urban Development Chief City Planner Consulting Principal in Urban Planning

Company Overview

Gemeinde Köniz

Fourth-largest municipality in Canton Bern with 700+ employees across 100 professions

Significant regional employer with strong public service mandate
Key municipality bridging urban and rural areas with diverse planning challenges
Progressive public sector environment with focus on work-life balance and professional development
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