Médiateur·trice culturel·le et scientifique - Job Opportunity at Canton de Vaud

Lausanne, Switzerland
Full-time
Mid-level
Posted: August 15, 2025
On-site
CHF 70,000-85,000 annually based on Swiss public sector standards for mid-level cultural professionals with master's degree requirements and 3+ years experience, reflecting Switzerland's high cost of living and competitive public sector compensation

Benefits

Comprehensive work-life balance policies that promote professional and personal harmony, positioning this role as family-friendly and sustainable long-term
Diverse career advancement opportunities within a large governmental structure of 450+ employees, offering significant internal mobility
Strong ethical framework emphasizing equality, inclusion, and sustainability - values increasingly important in modern workplace culture
Public sector job security with Swiss governmental stability and comprehensive social benefits typical of cantonal employment
Professional development support with explicit mention of continuous learning and skill enhancement opportunities

Key Responsibilities

Lead strategic design and execution of cultural and scientific mediation projects that directly impact public engagement with heritage and knowledge, positioning the role as a key driver of cultural accessibility
Execute comprehensive project management from conception to completion, demonstrating autonomous decision-making authority and accountability for project outcomes
Orchestrate complex event logistics that serve diverse public audiences, requiring sophisticated coordination skills and attention to detail that directly impacts institutional reputation
Drive collaborative communication and promotional strategies that amplify the reach and impact of cultural initiatives, contributing to the institution's public profile and mission fulfillment
Champion continuous professional development in cultural mediation, ensuring the role remains at the forefront of evolving best practices in public cultural engagement

Requirements

Education

Master en sciences humaines ou sciences de la vie

Experience

Expérience professionnelle pertinente pour le poste de minimum 3 ans

Required Skills

Formation complĂ©mentaire dans le domaine de la mĂ©diation culturelle et/ou scientifique Vaste culture gĂ©nĂ©rale, enrichie par des intĂ©rĂȘts littĂ©raires et artistiques Aisance relationnelle, vision globale et sens de la perspective, crĂ©ativitĂ©, polyvalence

Certifications

Certificats de formation continue utiles à la fonction (événementiel, gestion culturelle, marketing, relations publiques, sponsoring, etc.)
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Sauge AI Market Intelligence

Industry Trends

Cultural institutions across Europe are increasingly prioritizing public engagement and accessibility, driven by digitalization pressures and evolving public expectations for interactive cultural experiences. This trend creates strong demand for professionals who can bridge traditional cultural preservation with modern audience engagement strategies. The Swiss cultural sector is experiencing significant investment in mediation roles as institutions recognize the critical importance of making cultural heritage accessible to diverse populations. This reflects broader European Union directives on cultural accessibility and inclusion. Public sector cultural positions are becoming more strategic and business-oriented, requiring professionals who combine traditional cultural knowledge with modern project management, marketing, and communication skills to justify public investment and demonstrate measurable community impact.

Role Significance

Likely working within a small specialized team of 3-5 cultural mediation professionals, with regular collaboration across departments including communications, curatorial staff, and external cultural partners, typical of Swiss cantonal cultural institutions
Mid-level position with significant autonomous project ownership and strategic impact on institutional cultural mission. While reporting to Communication services, the role demonstrates substantial independent decision-making authority and responsibility for entire project lifecycles from conception to execution.

Key Projects

Large-scale public cultural events serving diverse demographics from academic researchers to general public audiences Cross-cultural heritage preservation initiatives that balance scholarly rigor with public accessibility Community engagement programs that strengthen connections between institutional collections and local population needs Digital and traditional media integration projects that modernize cultural presentation while maintaining scholarly integrity

Success Factors

Deep understanding of Swiss cultural landscape combined with global cultural trends awareness, enabling effective local relevance while maintaining international best practices Exceptional project management capabilities with proven ability to handle complex logistics, multiple stakeholder coordination, and budget management within public sector constraints Strong communication skills across diverse audience segments, from academic researchers to general public, requiring sophisticated audience analysis and message adaptation abilities Creative problem-solving skills that can transform traditional cultural content into engaging contemporary experiences without compromising scholarly integrity Political and institutional awareness necessary for navigating public sector dynamics, stakeholder relationships, and policy compliance requirements

Market Demand

High demand driven by increased focus on cultural accessibility, public engagement mandates, and the need for specialized professionals who can navigate both traditional cultural contexts and modern communication strategies

Important Skills

Critical Skills

Cultural mediation expertise stands as the core competency that differentiates this role from general project management positions, requiring deep understanding of how to translate complex cultural content for diverse audiences while maintaining scholarly integrity and cultural sensitivity Project management capabilities are essential given the autonomous responsibility for complete project lifecycles, requiring sophisticated planning, resource coordination, and stakeholder management skills that directly impact institutional reputation and public engagement success Relational and communication skills are fundamental to success given the need to work effectively with diverse stakeholder groups including scholars, artists, community leaders, and general public audiences, each requiring different communication approaches and relationship management strategies

Beneficial Skills

Digital media and technology skills increasingly valuable as cultural institutions integrate online and hybrid programming models, particularly post-pandemic shifts in cultural consumption patterns Grant writing and fundraising capabilities that could enhance project resources and demonstrate additional value to the institution through external funding acquisition Second language proficiency beyond French would be advantageous given Switzerland's multilingual context and the international scope of university library services Event production and marketing expertise that goes beyond basic requirements, potentially enabling larger-scale programming and enhanced public engagement outcomes

Unique Aspects

Rare opportunity to work within one of Switzerland's most comprehensive cultural ecosystems, combining library science, museum operations, and cultural programming under unified strategic direction
Position offers unusual breadth of cultural mediation experience, from academic research support to public cultural programming, providing exceptional professional development opportunities
Direct involvement in preserving and presenting Vaudois cultural heritage while serving international academic and research communities through the university library function
Integration with broader cantonal cultural policy development, offering insights into public sector cultural strategy and potential influence on regional cultural direction

Career Growth

Typically 3-5 years to advance to senior management roles within Swiss cultural institutions, with opportunities for lateral movement across different cultural sectors or advancement within the Canton de Vaud system

Potential Next Roles

Director of Cultural Programming for larger Swiss cultural institutions Head of Public Engagement for national museums or libraries Cultural Policy Advisor for cantonal or federal government departments Independent cultural consultant specializing in institutional transformation and public engagement strategies

Company Overview

Canton de Vaud

Canton de Vaud operates as one of Switzerland's most culturally active regional governments, managing significant cultural assets including major museums and the BCUL library system. The organization represents substantial public investment in cultural preservation and accessibility, with the DGC serving nearly 450 professionals across diverse cultural domains.

Leading position among Swiss cantonal cultural institutions, with the BCUL recognized as one of Switzerland's largest library systems. The organization sets regional standards for cultural programming and public engagement, influencing practices across French-speaking Switzerland
Dominant cultural force in the Lake Geneva region, serving as a bridge between local Vaudois heritage and international cultural currents. The position offers exposure to both grassroots community programming and high-profile international cultural exchanges
Swiss public sector environment emphasizing consensus-building, methodical planning, and long-term sustainability. The culture values precision, cultural sensitivity, and collaborative decision-making, typical of Swiss institutional approaches that prioritize stakeholder consultation and measured innovation
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