Do I need to name the canton and city in my Swiss job ad?

Yes. Swiss job boards and candidates expect it. Name the primary workplace location (e.g. 'Zurich, ZH' or 'Lugano, Ticino'). If fully remote, say so explicitly. If hybrid, describe where the office is and the expected on-site frequency.

How do I state the language requirement without sounding discriminatory?

Describe it as a functional job requirement, not a personal attribute. Example: 'Fluency in German (business level) is essential for daily stakeholder communication' or 'English-speaking; German a plus.' Place this in the requirements section, not the intro. A lawyer can advise on legality in your canton.

What's the difference between Pensum and hours per week?

Pensum is the Swiss/German standard: a percentage of a full-time role. 100% = ~42–44 hours/week depending on your collective labour agreement (GAV). State both if you wish, but Pensum is what Swiss candidates expect. Always clarify how overtime or flexibility is handled.

Job Description Template: Project Manager

This template helps you write a clear project manager job ad for your Swiss business. It covers day-to-day duties, team expectations, technical and soft skills, plus what you'll offer in salary and benefits. Adjust location (canton/city), Pensum percentage, and experience level to match your needs.

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A project manager keeps work moving on time and on budget, bridging your team and stakeholders. For an SME without a dedicated project management office, this role often owns planning, risk management, and communication across departments.

Use this template as your starting point. Replace bracketed text with your specifics: company details, location (always name the canton or city in Swiss job ads), Pensum, and the tools or methodologies your business uses.

What the Role Does

The Project Manager plans, monitors, and closes projects from kick-off to handover. They set realistic timelines, manage budgets, identify risks early, and keep stakeholders informed.

In a small company, this person often wears multiple hats: scheduling resources, updating progress with leadership, and handling scope changes. Expect a mix of Agile, waterfall, or hybrid approaches depending on your business.

Plan project scope, schedule, and budget; track progress against these baselines
Identify risks and issues; propose mitigations before delays or overruns occur
Communicate status (weekly reports, milestone updates) to team and leadership
Manage stakeholder expectations and resolve competing priorities
Close projects formally: document lessons learned and hand over deliverables
Support team motivation and remove blockers so developers/specialists can focus

Must-Have and Nice-to-Have Requirements

Must-haves are non-negotiable: people skills, numeracy, and proven project delivery. Look for candidates with 3+ years leading projects in similar industries or company sizes.

Nice-to-haves make your shortlist shine but are learnable. Formal certifications (PMP, PRINCE2, Scrum Master) show commitment; fluency in your primary business language is essential, but additional languages help in multi-regional teams.

Must-have: Demonstrable experience closing 3+ projects on time and within budget
Must-have: Fluency in [German/French/Italian/English] (state which language your business uses)
Must-have: Comfort with budget tracking, resource scheduling, and risk management concepts
Nice-to-have: Certification in PMP, PRINCE2, or Scrum Master
Nice-to-have: Experience in [your industry: software, construction, manufacturing, etc.]
Nice-to-have: Familiarity with [name your PM tool: Monday.com, Jira, Microsoft Project, Asana]

What We Offer

Be specific about compensation and benefits. Swiss employers typically list gross annual salary or monthly gross, Pensum as a percentage (e.g. 80–100%), and the canton/city. Include vacation days, 13th-month salary if applicable, and any flexibility (remote, flex hours).

Highlight what matters to project managers: autonomy, clear success metrics, learning opportunities, and a collaborative culture. Many SMEs offer stability and visibility that larger firms cannot.

Salary: CHF [X] to CHF [Y] gross annually, commensurate with experience (Pensum [%])
Location: [City/Canton], [% remote/hybrid/on-site] (be specific; Swiss job ads must name location)
Holiday: [X] days annual leave, plus Swiss public holidays
13th-month salary: [Yes/No]; other benefits: [e.g. health insurance subsidy, pension plan details]
Professional development: [e.g. budget for training, mentorship, conference attendance]
Work culture: [e.g. flat hierarchy, direct access to leadership, autonomy in planning execution]

Frequently asked questions

Do I need to name the canton and city in my Swiss job ad?: Yes. Swiss job boards and candidates expect it. Name the primary workplace location (e.g. 'Zurich, ZH' or 'Lugano, Ticino'). If fully remote, say so explicitly. If hybrid, describe where the office is and the expected on-site frequency.
How do I state the language requirement without sounding discriminatory?: Describe it as a functional job requirement, not a personal attribute. Example: 'Fluency in German (business level) is essential for daily stakeholder communication' or 'English-speaking; German a plus.' Place this in the requirements section, not the intro. A lawyer can advise on legality in your canton.
What's the difference between Pensum and hours per week?: Pensum is the Swiss/German standard: a percentage of a full-time role. 100% = ~42–44 hours/week depending on your collective labour agreement (GAV). State both if you wish, but Pensum is what Swiss candidates expect. Always clarify how overtime or flexibility is handled.

General information for Swiss employers, not legal advice. Have a lawyer confirm anything with legal consequences.