Executive Director

Introduction

At this pivotal moment of rising geopolitical tension, shifting conflict dynamics and renewed escalations in violence, HD Centre is seeking an Executive Director to lead the organisation into its next chapter. This appointment is for a five‑year term, with the possibility of renewal.

HD Centre’s next Executive Director will be expected to work at HD Centre’s headquarters in Geneva, Switzerland.

The role

The Executive Director serves as the organisation’s chief executive and plays a central role in shaping HD Centre’s strategic direction, political engagement and global mediation work. Working under the authority of the Board and in close consultation with its Chair, the Executive Director ensures the organisation’s mission is pursued with clarity, discretion and integrity.

The role calls for a leader with strategic imagination, sound political judgement and the diplomatic experience to operate effectively in complex conflict environments. The Executive Director combines managerial rigor with an inclusive leadership style and empathy, and will enable innovation across the organisation.

The Executive Director guides the organisation’s engagement in complex conflicts and supports teams in navigating fast‑evolving geopolitical landscapes. Where official channels are constrained, the Executive Director supports teams and sustains trusted relationships that enable HD Centre’s discreet form of diplomacy. As the way conflicts are carried out evolves as well, the Executive Director champions new ways of conflict mediation, for example in areas such as cyber, sea, and space.

Externally, the Executive Director represents the organisation with governments, regional bodies and multilateral actors, reinforcing HD Centre’s credibility as a principled and independent interlocutor. Internally, the Executive Director leads the senior management team, strengthens organisational coherence across decentralised structures, and fosters a culture grounded in the values of humanity, impartiality and independence.

Key accountabilities

Strategic Direction

• Shape and continuously refine HD Centre’s strategic direction in consultation with the Board, ensuring the organisation can anticipate and respond to rapidly evolving global conflicts.
• Assess shifts in armed conflicts, modes of warfare and peace processes to identify timely opportunities for engagement and to keep HD Centre’s strategy sharp, relevant and forward‑looking.
• Drive innovation in mediation methodologies by fostering knowledge‑sharing across the organisation and engaging creatively with global actors shaping the future of conflict resolution.

Representation & Relationship Building

• Serve as HD Centre’s senior representative in international forums, ensuring the organisation is visible where it matters while preserving its distinctive low‑profile operating style.
• Cultivate influential relationships with governments, regional organisations, multilateral institutions and other key stakeholders, reinforcing HD Centre’s credibility.
• Act as the key liaison with the Board, preparing reports, presentations, and strategic recommendations.
• Engage selectively in public discussions that align with HD Centre’s core mission and neutrality.

Funding & Resource Mobilisation

• Develop and sustain a diversified funding strategy that strengthens HD Centre’s financial independence, with a particular emphasis on expanding unearmarked support.
• Actively engage with donors and funding partners, reinforcing long-term commitments, and securing new financial streams.
• Support operational directors in securing project-specific funding while maintaining overall organisational financial health.
• Provide the Board with strategic insights on funding trends and sustainability.

Managing an Organisation

• Foster a collaborative and strategic dialogue with the leadership team, using structured discussions to refine approaches, maximise impact and ensure leaders are positioned for success.
• Ensure that operational initiatives align with HD Centre’s strategic vision, mission and values while maintaining flexibility in execution.
• Supervise internal management structures and maintain streamlined coordination between mediation practice, corporate services and operational directorates.
• Lead a diverse team of directors and advisors, maintaining an open-door policy that encourages staff engagement, idea sharing and cross-organisational collaboration.
• Conduct regular one‑to‑one meetings with the leadership team and remain closely connected to the wider organisation to ensure clarity of communication and alignment.
• Promote a learning organisation and a culture of continuous adaptation, debate, innovation and improvement, empowering teams at all levels to contribute to HD Centre’s mission.
• Ensure internal management structures support risk management, integrity, accountability, and operational efficiency.
• When required, function as a crisis manager, addressing complex issues and orchestrating responses.

Ideal candidate profile

Experience and Qualifications

• Proven executive leadership experience in international organisations or government agencies.
• Extensive experience in high‑level diplomatic and peace‑making negotiations, with significant field exposure to conflict‑affected contexts.
• Deep understanding of the multilateral system, international law and contemporary mediation. familiarity with emerging domains such as maritime, cyber and space‑related conflict is desirable.
• Entrepreneurial fundraising expertise, including engagement with philanthropic and other non‑traditional donors beyond project‑based bilateral and multilateral funding.
• Demonstrated success in driving organisational change and building learning‑oriented, adaptive organisations.
• Ideally, experience working effectively with an independent, multinational Board.
• Ability to lead strong personalities and long‑tenured teams in complex, influence‑driven environments.
• Passion, drive, and an innovative mindset to lead an organisation of HD Centre’s standing and reputation.
• Stature, gravitas and quiet authority that opens doors at senior political and diplomatic levels, supported by an extensive senior network in mediation and diplomacy.
• Champions HD’s values of humanity, impartiality, and independence; promotes transparency, trust and consistent ways of working.
• Fluency in English essential; proficiency in French desirable; additional languages an advantage.
• Advanced academic degree in international relations, political science, law, public policy, or a related field.

How to apply

Please send your CV and cover letter to HDCentre@egonzehnder.com to be considered. Applications submitted via HD Centre will not be reviewed.

Commitment to equity and inclusion

HD Centre is committed to advancing gender and social equity for human well-being in our mission including equal opportunities in employment. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, ethnicity, religion, sex, national origin, age, caste, marital status, sexual orientation, gender identity, and disability.

All applicant information will be processed securely and in full compliance with relevant data protection and privacy regulations.