The World Council of Churches (WCC) is an ecumenical fellowship of churches founded in 1948.  It brings together 352 member churches from all over the world, including Orthodox, Anglican, Protestant and Uniting churches, to promote Christian unity in faith, witness and service for a just and peaceful world.

From its headquarters at the Ecumenical Centre in Grand-Saconnex, the WCC conducts its work together with churches and ecumenical partners. Activities include promoting peace and justice in places of conflict; inter-religious dialogue; and ecumenical education.  The WCC launched the Green Village real estate development project at its site in Grand-Saconnex in 2012.

The WCC is looking for a Green Village Real Estate Project Manager at 100% who will lead the Green Village project work in coordination with the WCC’s developer and construction company, its independent real estate advisors and its steering committee. The Green Village project manager will report to the WCC finance director, and will also be responsible for facility management services during the transitional phase.

The position is based at the Ecumenical Centre, Grand-Saconnex.

Fluent in English and French, the Green Village project manager will hold a degree in engineering, architecture or a related field and will be able to demonstrate knowledge of the construction industry or real estate development.

The principal tasks:

• Lead the process for clearance of office wings and relocation of archives in June 2024, with removal of WCC staff teams, sister organisations and sub-tenants to the new temporary site leased by WCC in Green Village
• Design and implement facility management interface requirements for the interim years 2024-2027, given services provided by the building owner at the temporary site
• Lead the sustainability strategy for construction and facility management, from WCC’s perspective, including reporting on specific measures and targets

Working with WCC’s real estate developer and construction company, in the continued working sessions for a process underway since 2012, and now moving to new phase:

• Participate in real estate project design, permit process and sales initiatives for plots for sale in Green Village
• Alongside the finance director, take a leading role in preparatory work for the renovation and for WCC’s new building, including delivery of a permit for the latter, financial budgets and steering committee approvals for both projects. The tasks will be conducted with the developer, independent real estate advisors, legal counsel, and finance specialists

Working to protect the interests of the WCC in the management of the project, and to ensure its duties and responsibilities, as project owner are delivered in a timely way and well organised:

• Work with the WCC steering committee in the development of strategy, in reporting on progress, monitoring risks and preparation of decision-making
• Drawing on reporting available from the construction company, and with a real estate economist as necessary, develop processes for WCC’s own oversight and reporting on construction and renovation work in the new phase from 2024, including financial monitoring, and prepare reporting to the steering committee
• Maintain project documentation

Qualifications and special requirements

Experience

• Several years of experience in real estate project management
• Experience in facility management with project management could also be considered suitable.

Education

• Degree in engineering, architecture or a related field.

Requirements

• Technical competence with architectural plans and construction budgets
• Project management skills, with attention to documentation, detail and follow up
• Very good communication and interpersonal skills
• Knowledge of Swiss law and regulations in real estate matters
• Ability to represent the WCC and give due attention to its ethical standards in business dealings.

Language skills

• Excellent aptitude to correspond fluently in English and French. 

Starting date: as soon as possible

About human resources at the WCC

The WCC is an equal opportunity employer. The sole criteria for recruitment, training and career opportunities are qualification, skills, experience and performance to all its staff members. 

The WCC Financial Report for 2021 can be consulted at

• https://www.oikoumene.org/resources/documents/wcc-financial-report-2021