Head of FCC Territorial Implementation and Host State Relations

The position leads the territorial implementation and host state relations for the Future Circular Collider (FCC) project at CERN, ensuring strong engagement with the Host States of France and Switzerland. It involves strategic leadership, coordination of regulatory and administrative processes, and representation of CERN in high-level meetings with host authorities.

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.

Requirements

• 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.
• Excellent communication, representation and negotiation abilities.
• Spoken and written both English and French.

Skills

• Territorial Implementation
• Regulatory Implementation
• Infrastructure Project Management
• Stakeholder Engagement
• Public Consultation Support
• Environmental Impact Assessment
• French Administrative Law
• Swiss Administrative Law
• Stakeholder Coordination
• Public Dialogue Facilitation
• Negotiation
• Representation
• Strategic Leadership
• Regulatory Frameworks
• Civil Engineering
• Political Science
• Environmental Governance
• Territorial Planning

Languages

English, French