Senior Philanthropy Manager - Foundations (F/M/D) 80-100%

Facing the challenges of our time - Help us grow and be more impactful!

You are a key contributor to CSEM’s growing Fundraising and Development team, building bridges between CSEM’s researchers and philanthropic partners, forging lasting relationships, and securing the funding needed to transform breakthrough innovations into societal impact.

Location: flexible within Switzerland (work at a CSEM site in Allschwil, Alpnach, Bern, Landquart, Neuchâtel, Schwyz or Zürich – combined with home office), with at least one day per week on site at CSEM's Neuchâtel headquarters.

We are looking for a passionate Senior Philanthropy Manager, Foundations - starting date ideally 1 January 2027

Your mission

You will develop and manage a portfolio of private and corporate foundations, building relationships across the full donor cycle and handling the proposals, reporting and grant agreements that come with them, to secure six- and seven-figure gifts in support of CSEM's mission to develop and transfer world-class technology and strengthen the Swiss economy. Reporting to the Chief Development Officer within a recently formed Fundraising and Development office, you will have the entrepreneurial autonomy to build and grow foundations fundraising, working alongside the CDO and the wider team.

Your responsibilities

• Build and grow foundations fundraising within CSEM's Fundraising and Development office in close collaboration with the CDO;
• Independently develop and manage a strong portfolio of private and corporate foundation prospects across the full cycle, from research and identification through to solicitation and close;
• Work with CSEM's scientists and business units to translate technical programmes into compelling cases for support;
• Steward existing donors, meet reporting obligations and maintain and strengthen relationships, with the ability to expand them both in terms of personal trust and financial commitment;
• Co-write compelling proposals, applications and reports, tailored to each foundation's priorities;
• Represent CSEM to foundations and at relevant sector events;

Your profile

Know-how

• Master’s degree or relevant qualification, familiarity with the Swiss academic, innovation, and industrial landscape, additional training and professional development in ;
• At least four years demonstrated success raising funds from foundations, with a track record of securing six- and seven-figure gifts;
• Deep knowledge of the Swiss foundations landscape, both private and corporate, is essential;
• Outstanding written and verbal communication skills, confident proposal writer, able to build a case for support and copy-edit to a high standard;
• Genuine affinity for science, technology and innovation, and able to grasp and communicate technical subject matter quickly;
• Willing and able to travel and attend up to two evening events per month when required;
• Fluent German and English; the ability to understand French is a prerequisite, fluent French is a strong plus;

Interpersonal skills

• A team player with strong communication and interpersonal skills who works easily and confidently with external stakeholders and internal research and commercial personnel;
• The personal credibility and presence to engage foundation principals and senior stakeholders as an equal;
• A builder with an entrepreneurial, proactive mindset and the drive to grow foundations fundraising within an organisation;

CSEM mission and values

Our mission is the development and transfer of innovative technologies to the Swiss industry. Our objective is to make an impact on our customers and on society at large in the fields of precision manufacturing, digital technologies and sustainable energy. Our strength is the excellence of our people, about 650 passionate specialists dedicated to innovation and technology transfer. We believe that strong values support the successful development of our organization as well as the harmonious and balanced development of all our employees.

We are

• A unique place between research and industry at the cutting edge of new technologies.
• An innovative, non-profit, and employee-driven company.
• A dynamic, multidisciplinary, and multicultural environment.
• A solar team focused on enabling solutions to energy challenges for a sustainable world.

Working@CSEM means

• being part of a passionate community.
• incredible flexibility, attractive working conditions, and great opportunities of development.
• benefit from a management style based on trust & feedback and that favors a work-life balance.

We are committed to equal employment opportunity regardless of race, color, ancestry, religion, sex, national origin, sexual orientation, age, citizenship, marital status, disability, gender identity.
We look forward to receiving your complete application file via (CV, cover letter, certificates & diplomas) our job page. Preference will be given to professionals applying directly.