Head of FCC Territorial Implementation and Host State Relations

What you'll do

CERN is preparing the Future Circular Collider (FCC) project for a potential decision by the CERN Council on a 2028 timescale. Given its scale, complexity and territorial footprint, the FCC requires strong, credible and continuous engagement with the Host States of France and Switzerland at all institutional levels.

To support the territorial implementation of the FCC project, CERN is seeking a senior professional with proven experience in the delivery of large-scale infrastructure projects, preferably in France and/or Switzerland, including regulatory authorisations, environmental procedures, land-related matters, and coordination with national and regional authorities.

The position is embedded within the CERN Stakeholder Relations Sector and the FCC Project Office. It ensures that territorial engagement and all regulatory and administrative processes with Host States are anticipated, structured and aligned with the overall project schedule and risk management.

The position reports directly to the CERN Director-General for interactions with the Host States and operates in close coordination with the Director of the Stakeholder Relations Sector and the FCC Project Leader. Administrative reporting is through the Stakeholder Relations Sector.

Your responsibilities

Act as CERN's single-entry point with Host State authorities in France and Switzerland for all FCC territorial matters, interfacing with national, regional and local authorities, including Prefectures, Cantonal authorities and relevant administrative bodies.

Provide overall strategic leadership for FCC Host State engagement, ensuring consistency, continuity and credibility in CERN's positions vis-à-vis Host State authorities.

Define and steer the strategy for regulatory approvals, authorisation processes and administrative pathways required for the FCC.

Support the preparation and progression of environmental impact assessments, public inquiries and associated procedures.

Ensure alignment of territorial and regulatory processes with the FCC project schedule, risk management, and technical development, in permanent collaboration with the FCC Project Office.

Support and coordinate land-related processes, territorial constraints and site-related administrative matters.

Identify territorial and regulatory risks, advising the FCC Project Leader and CERN senior management on mitigation measures and sequencing.

Represent CERN in high-level meetings with Host State authorities on FCC territorial implementation topics.

Ensure that CERN senior management receives timely strategic insight on territorial risks, constraints and opportunities.

Ensure that public dialogue and consultation processes are conducted credibly, transparently and effectively.

This role ensures that institutional engagement, regulatory processes and project implementation progress in a coordinated and mutually reinforcing manner.

Your profile

Senior-level experience with direct responsibility for the territorial, administrative and regulatory implementation of at least one large-scale infrastructure project of comparable scope and complexity, preferably in France and/or Switzerland.

Proven successful experience working with national and regional authorities, regulatory bodies, and complex multi-stakeholder environments.

Demonstrated involvement in public dialogue or consultation processes for projects with significant environmental or societal impact.

Strong understanding of French and/or Swiss administrative and regulatory frameworks.

Master's degree or PhD or equivalent relevant experience in the field of Public Administration, Civil Engineering, Law, Political Science, Environmental Governance, Territorial Planning or a related field.

Your skills

Project management.

Stakeholder relationship management.

Risk management.

Implementation of vision and strategic agility.

Strategic communications planning, and utilising effective negotiation techniques to achieve long-term results acceptable to all parties involved.

Uses strategic judgement in complex institutional environments.

Develops effective relationships with senior public officials by demonstrating credibility and authority.

Ability to anticipate constraints and structure robust solutions.

Has strong coordination and integration skills.

Excellent communication, representation and negotiation abilities.

Spoken and written both English and French.