Senior Lead - Development Manager, Special Projects

In short

We are looking for a Senior Lead - Development Manager, Special Projects to contribute in shaping the future of On’s Global Real Estate + Development team from our Headquarters in Zurich.

The Senior Lead - Development Manager, Special Projects is a dynamic and senior strategic role within the Global Strategic Initiatives team, responsible for the strategic development, elevated decision-making, and end-to-end execution of high-profile, globally impactful initiatives. They act as the driving force, spearheading complex projects within the Real Estate portfolio. This role comfortably takes complex, high-stakes decisions with brand-wide implications, often under pressure and ambiguity. Beyond execution, this role critically analyzes project outcomes to develop standardized playbooks and best practices for future Special Projects, documenting key learnings, optimizing processes, and establishing clear frameworks for future projects.

Your Mission

• Execute within the strategic vision, elevated decision-making, and execution of Special Projects by pioneering new territory and embracing projects that push the boundaries of the brand's current capabilities and built environment portfolio.

• Global Collaboration & Alignment: Drive strong collaboration and partnerships by ensuring active listening, respecting company objectives, and motivating cross-functional teams towards unified outcomes.

• Project Management: Leveraging construction management expertise to guarantee all special projects are delivered on time and on budget, while simultaneously ensuring they meet On's premium design aesthetic and commitment to quality.

• Develop global best practices from these special projects, turning successful new concepts into repeatable typologies ready for regional roll-out and implementation.

• Drive innovation and competitive advantage by embracing calculated risk and proposing comprehensive action plans, ensuring that every project maintains the highest standard of quality and attention to detail to achieve On's premium design aesthetic.

• Shape the future of the On community: The work has a broader impact on the company's environment and culture.

Your story

• Project Experience (10+ Years): Demonstrated experience in architecture and construction, specifically managing complex projects (retail, workplace, etc.), including direct involvement in design development to construction administration.

• Elevated Decision-Making: Proven comfort in making complex, high-stakes decisions with brand-wide implications, often under pressure and ambiguity.

• Stakeholder Management: Exceptional communication skills and the ability to effectively collaborate with diverse stakeholders and manage expectations.

• Strategic Global Partnerships: Extensive experience in driving strategic partnerships and providing confident direction, mentorship, and support to cross-functional teams.

• Novel Problem-Solving: Demonstrated ability to identify underlying systemic blockers and deliver unique, scalable solutions to new-to-brand challenges.

• Calculated Risk Management: Proven ability to analyze strategic options, form comprehensive action plans, and successfully manage calculated risks that fuel innovation.

• Innovation & Adaptability: Comfortable leading high-profile Special Projects that demand exploring new approaches and operating outside established norms.

• Design & Organizational Skills: A strong appreciation for design aesthetic combined with the ability to manage multiple projects simultaneously and maintain meticulous records.

• Language: Fluent in English with strong written and verbal communication skills. Fluency in another language is an advantage.

• Travel: Willingness and ability to travel Globally, when needed.

What to expect

We want to set everyone up for success, so here’s the lowdown on how we hire. Our process is a two-way street – bringing you into our culture, while helping us learn how you think.

Our full process can last about eight weeks from application to offer, because we care about getting it right. These steps explain how we usually do things.

Before you get started, feel free to consider if you want to work with us. Strange question? Well, we give people a lot of space to navigate their day-to-day and that style isn't for everyone. We want you to be passionate about what you do and be sure this is the right fit. Because when skills and passion combine – it creates that 'Wow' moment.

• Step One

  It starts with you...

  You'll start by submitting your application to a specific role. We try to keep this step as simple as possible. We do get a lot of applications, but we review them all. If you're a good fit to the role, a recruiter will follow up with you directly. If you didn't receive a reply, or were unsuccessful this time around, we encourage you to look for other possible matches at On.

• Step Two

  Interview with a recruiter

  What ignites your spirit? This is where we’ll start getting to know all about you and what makes you tick – and it’s your first chance to get a feel for our culture. Chatting with a member of our talent team, you’ll learn more about On and how we work. We’ll learn about what motivates you and what you could bring to the team.

• Step Three

  Interview with a hiring manager

  Ready to dig into the details? This second interview will be held with your future manager and will focus on the specifics of the job. Together you’ll delve into your unique skills and experiences and how they could be relevant at On. It's also a time to assess how you might feel working side-by-side. Bring any questions you have about the job, the team or anything else you might like to know – this is an open forum.

• Step Four

  The Case Study

  What's your style? This task will help us understand how you think, face a challenge and give insight into your novel ideas. Designed to give everyone their best shot, your case study is based on something you might typically experience on the job. This is your chance to show us what you’ve got. So express yourself. Be you.

• Step Five

  The Experience Day

  Your first taste of the Oniverse. This is a time to meet some of the people you'll be working closest with. In person or virtually, you'll get a feel for the day-to-day at On and the people who make it happen. You'll chat with a few potential teammates - the conversations will be as equally driven by the role and your experience as by our values. We believe how you do things is just as important as what you do.

• Step Six

  The Result

  Are we a good fit? We’ll get together internally to share our feedback and decide if we’re a match. We know that job searching is a big time investment, so it’s not a decision we take lightly. It’s also time for you to reflect on the experience – are we the right place for you? No matter the outcome, we’ll give you meaningful feedback.

Step One:

It starts with you...

You'll start by submitting your application to a specific role.

We try to keep this step as simple as possible. We do get a lot of applications, but we review them all. If you're a good fit to the role, a recruiter will follow up with you directly. If you didn't receive a reply, or were unsuccessful this time around, we encourage you to look for other possible matches at On.