To establish a dedicated executive function, SIFEM is seeking to appoint its first Managing Director. As the organisation’s executive leader, he or she will provide strategic, investment and operational leadership across a lean, largely outsourced operating model. Reporting directly to the Chair of the Board of Directors, the Managing Director will, over time, build and lead a small team to run the Executive Office.

Responsibilities cover investment oversight, governance and operations, including the management and co-ordination of external service providers as well as close collaboration with the Shareholder representatives of the Swiss federal administration. He or she will support the effectiveness of Investment Committee processes, while investment decisions themselves remain with the Investment Committee, which is composed of Board Members. This will include reviewing, challenging and stress-testing the Portfolio Manager’s investment recommendations before they reach the Investment Committee as well as monitoring asset allocation, investment selection and portfolio construction in line with the strategic objectives defined by the shareholder. He or she will also oversee corporate functions and operational matters currently delivered externally, ensuring robust financial and development impact reporting, regulatory, compliance, risk and internal-control frameworks. The Managing Director will lead and co-ordinate SIFEM’s external service providers, most importantly the Portfolio Manager, and build out a small in-house team. He or she will support the Board’s engagement with the Shareholder and the wider Swiss federal administration at the operational level, in co-ordination with the Chair. Finally, he or she will represent SIFEM externally, including within the European Development Finance community (EDFI).

The successful candidate will be an experienced emerging-markets investment professional with a strong track record of investment decision-making, SME finance and accountability for development and climate outcomes. Fund-of-funds or LP-side experience across multiple asset classes – including private equity, growth funds, debt or credit – would be highly relevant and experience in asset allocation, portfolio construction and investment committee governance is essential, as is the ability to provide independent oversight in a lean, largely outsourced operating model. Beyond investment credibility, the role requires a sound understanding of sustainable finance and development co-operation, the judgement to balance financial returns with SIFEM’s development and climate objectives and experience in working at the interface between the private and public sector.

Candidates should combine investment credibility with broad operational capability, sound judgement and the ability to deliver results through influence, governance and collaboration. Outstanding stakeholder-management and communication skills, high emotional intelligence and fluent written and spoken English are required. Familiarity with European institutional environments and an affinity for the Swiss political and administrative context are strong advantages. The role will suit a purpose-driven leader motivated by SIFEM’s development mandate and comfortable operating at the scale and scope defined by its shareholder.

The position is based in Switzerland, with international travel as required. SIFEM has retained Russell Reynolds Associates to advise on this appointment. For further information on the position and additional details on how to apply, please visit: www.rraresponses.com. The closing date for applications is 23:59 CET on Wednesday 9th September 2026.