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Chef de projets - Pôle Responsabilité sociale et environnementale (RSE)

HUG - Hopitaux Universitaires de Genève • Switzerland • Added on Jul 31, 2026
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As a key driver within the Sustainability Unit at Switzerland’s leading university hospital, you will oversee the strategic implementation of the institution’s 2030 Sustainability Strategy. You will be responsible for calculating the corporate carbon footprint, tracking performance indicators, and coordinating cross-departmental action plans to reduce the environmental impact of medical operations. This is a rare chance to move beyond high-level theory and implement practical green solutions within a high-stakes clinical setting.

The role matters because healthcare systems are major carbon emitters with complex waste streams; transforming HUG into a sustainable model directly influences public health outcomes and sets a benchmark for hospitals worldwide. You will translate climate goals into operational realities, ensuring that cutting-edge medicine aligns with planetary boundaries. By bridging the gap between hospital management and environmental science, you help secure a resilient future for healthcare infrastructure in Geneva.

This suits someone who possesses strong analytical skills for carbon accounting and the diplomatic finesse to influence diverse medical and administrative teams without direct authority. You should thrive in complex, multidisciplinary environments where change management is as important as technical data.

Job FAQs

What are the main missions and responsibilities of this role?

You will be the primary architect for the environmental pillar of the HUG 2030 Sustainability Strategy. This involves establishing and maintaining a rigorous carbon footprint assessment for the entire institution, ensuring data accuracy across various medical and technical departments. You are responsible for monitoring performance indicators and documenting progress for institutional reporting. Beyond data, you will lead transversal projects that aim to reduce the hospital's ecological footprint. This includes coordinating specific action plans with various directions and departments to ensure sustainability is integrated into daily operations. You will also design and lead internal awareness campaigns to foster a culture of sustainability among the diverse staff body. Finally, you act as an internal consultant, providing expert technical advice on climate and environmental protection. You will research and recommend best practices tailored to the healthcare sector, helping departments implement innovative solutions that balance clinical excellence with environmental responsibility.

Key learning opportunities for this job

Working at HUG offers a unique opportunity to master carbon accounting in a healthcare context, which involves managing complex Scope 3 emissions related to medical supplies and pharmaceutical procurement. You will gain deep insights into the specific environmental challenges of the medical sector, from waste management to energy-intensive medical equipment. You will also sharpen your skills in institutional change management within a large, public-sector organization. Navigating the governance of a university hospital provides unparalleled experience in stakeholder management and policy implementation. Furthermore, exposure to Swiss sustainability standards and the HERMES project management methodology will enhance your professional toolkit in a highly respected international hub.

How does the ideal candidate look like (experience, skills)?

The ideal candidate brings at least five years of experience in sustainability or environmental management, preferably within a complex corporate or institutional setting. A Master’s degree in environmental science or sustainable development is essential, providing the technical foundation needed to manage carbon data and complex environmental audits. Soft skills are paramount for this role; you need to be a pragmatic influencer who can navigate a multidisciplinary environment without direct hierarchical power. Excellent writing and synthesis skills in French are required to produce high-quality institutional reports, while a strong command of English is necessary for international benchmarking and research. Technical certifications in carbon footprinting or recognized project management frameworks like HERMES, IPMA, or Prince2 are highly valued. Candidates who have a proven track record of managing large-scale projects and who can demonstrate an ability to listen and adapt to various professional perspectives will stand out.

Advice to stand out and make a successful application

To succeed, your application should highlight specific examples of where you have influenced change without direct authority in a complex organization. HUG is a massive institution with 160 different professions; show that you understand how to tailor your communication style to doctors, administrators, and technical staff alike. Demonstrate your technical proficiency by mentioning specific carbon footprinting methodologies you have used in the past. If you have experience with Swiss-specific environmental regulations or the HERMES methodology, ensure these are prominent. Tailor your cover letter to show a genuine understanding of why sustainability in a hospital setting is unique compared to a standard corporate office.

What aspects of the company's sustainability is this role likely to focus on?

The role focuses heavily on the environmental and climate pillars of the HUG 2030 strategy. A significant portion of your energy will go into decarbonization efforts, specifically tracking and reducing the institution’s carbon footprint through operational efficiencies and improved supply chain management. You will also focus on institutional governance by integrating sustainability metrics into the hospital's general management framework. This involves ensuring that sustainability is not a separate silo but a core component of how the hospital evaluates its own performance and success in the long term.

What are the main challenges someone in this role might face?

One of the primary challenges is the complexity of the healthcare environment, where clinical priorities and patient safety must always come first. Finding the balance between necessary medical protocols and environmental goals requires significant negotiation and creative problem-solving. Additionally, driving behavioral change across a workforce of 13,000 people with highly varied roles can be difficult. You may face resistance or inertia, requiring patience and a highly strategic approach to internal engagement and communication to ensure the 2030 strategy remains a priority for all departments.

How could a typical day look like for someone in this position?

A typical day might begin with analyzing carbon emission data from the hospital’s logistics or energy departments to update the institutional dashboard. Mid-morning could involve a meeting with the head of a medical department to discuss how to reduce single-use plastic waste without compromising hygiene standards. In the afternoon, you might switch to strategic reporting, drafting a synthesis of current sustainability progress for the General Directorate. Your day would likely end with planning an upcoming awareness event or workshop designed to engage staff in the hospital's green initiatives, requiring a shift from technical analysis to creative communication.

What are the opportunities for professional growth and development in this role?

This position offers significant visibility within the General Directorate of a major Swiss institution, providing a platform to become a recognized expert in hospital sustainability. The transversal nature of the role allows you to build a vast network across the entire healthcare ecosystem in Geneva. Success in this role could lead to senior leadership positions within the hospital's administrative structure or within the broader public health sector. As healthcare sustainability becomes a global priority, the expertise gained here will be highly transferable to international health organizations or governmental bodies focused on the green transition.

The main stakeholders you might be interacting with

You will work closely with the Head of the CSR Unit and the General Directorate to align your projects with the hospital’s high-level strategy. On a daily basis, you will interact with department heads, facility managers, and medical staff to implement practical sustainability measures. External stakeholders include cantonal and federal authorities, as well as institutional partners within 'International Geneva'. You will also engage with suppliers and service providers to assess the environmental impact of the hospital’s procurement and with academic partners for research and teaching purposes related to sustainable healthcare.

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