At a glance

1. The role: Lead the Service Design Network Switzerland chapter as president of the Service Design Switzerland Association.
2. Commitment: Unpaid, volunteer position for at least 1 year.
3. Who can apply: Anyone residing in Switzerland with a strong passion for Service Design. Solo or duo applications welcome.
4. How to apply: Submit a 3 to 5 minute video by 31 May 2026.
5. Timeline: Selection from April to July 2026, discovery period from August to October, public announcement by end of October 2026.
6. Q&A webinar: On Wednesday 29th of April at 20:00 we’ll host a Q&A session where people interested to apply and community members can ask their questions about this Open Call.

Apply now

Help shape the future of Service Design in Switzerland

Somewhere in Switzerland, there's someone, or maybe a pair of people, who light up when they talk about Service Design. People who see how it can change the way we live, work, and connect. People with ideas about what this community could become if they stepped forward.

We're looking for you.

The Service Design Switzerland Association, the organisation behind the Service Design Network Switzerland chapter, is searching for its next leadership. 

The role: Lead the Service Design Switzerland Association

As the new leadership of the Service Design Switzerland Association, you are the people who make things happen. Whether you step up alone or as a duo, this is a hands-on role. You don't just set a direction, you manage and organise the day-to-day work of the association: planning events, coordinating with speakers and partners, communicating with the community, and keeping the momentum going.

You are the driving force behind the chapter. You decide what gets built, you rally people around it, and you do the work to bring it to life. As a duo, you split that work between the two of you. The committee is there to advise and support you, but the operational responsibility sits with you.

You're also free to build your own team. If you want to bring in people to help with specific tasks, whether that's event logistics, social media, design, or anything else, you can. You shape the team that helps you get things done.

What we're looking for

• A genuine passion for Service Design and community building.
• A vision for what the Swiss Service Design community could become.
• The energy and commitment to volunteer your time and turn that vision into reality.
• Openness to collaboration with the current committee during a discovery period.

What is the Service Design Switzerland Association?

The Service Design Switzerland Association is a Swiss legal entity responsible for running the local chapter of the Service Design Network. All activities are organised and led by volunteers.

Our vision

The association is driven by two goals:

1. Put Service Design on the map of Switzerland. We want to make Service Design better known and better used across the country.
2. Put Switzerland on the map of Service Design. We want Service Design professionals from all over the world to recognise that Switzerland has strong expertise in Service Design.

What we do

Here are a few of the initiatives the association organises:

• Monthly webinars featuring local and international Service Design voices.
• Swiss Service Design Week, a remote week of lightning talks showcasing insights from the community.
• Swiss Service Design Day, an annual in-person "family reunion" style mini conference with talks, workshops, and hangout times.
• Local ambassador program to grow and nurture the Swiss Service Design community.

Who can apply?

We welcome applications from all backgrounds and levels of experience. You can apply solo or as a duo, both are equally welcome. To be eligible you must:

• Reside in Switzerland.
• Have a strong passion for Service Design.
• Commit to at least 1 year in the role.

The selection process

The process runs from April to October 2026. It starts with an open application, followed by a shortlist, a presentation to the committee, and a discovery period before the public announcement.

• 31 May 2026: Application deadline (video submission).
• 30 June 2026: Shortlist of candidates announced. Shortlisted candidates submit a detailed version of their vision: "How will you make this vision a reality?" The committee provides constructive feedback to all people who applied.
• 23 July 2026: Presentation to the committee (remote participation possible).
• 24 July 2026: Decision announced to the selected candidate(s). The committee provides constructive feedback to all people who applied.
• August to October 2026: Discovery period and onboarding. The new leader(s) engage with the community as a member first, not yet as president of the association.
• End of October 2026: If all goes well, public announcement with a report on what has happened and what's coming next. A stop-or-go moment for both sides. The committee provides constructive feedback.

How to apply

Submit a 3–5 minute video by May 31, 2026 in which you answer at least these three questions:

1. Who are you?
2. What drives you to want to lead SDN Switzerland?
3. What's your vision for the future of SDN Switzerland?

Apply now

FAQ and Q&A webinar

Below you’ll find answers to most of the common questions.

If you still have questions, you can join us on Wednesday 29th of April at 20:00 we’ll host a Q&A session where people interested to apply and community members can ask their questions about this Open Call. 

Can we apply as a duo?

Absolutely. You can apply solo or as a duo. Both formats are equally welcome. If you apply as a duo, make sure your video covers who you both are, what drives you, and your shared vision.

Is this a paid position?

No. This is an unpaid, volunteer role. The Service Design Switzerland Association is run entirely by volunteers. What you get in return is the opportunity to shape a national community, build meaningful connections, and leave a mark on the Swiss Service Design landscape.

How much time does this take?

A lot. Running a community takes real commitment. You'll be organising events, coordinating with committee members, doing outreach, and keeping the momentum going. It's rewarding, but it's not a small thing. Make sure you have the bandwidth before you apply.

Do I need prior experience leading a community or association?

Not at all. We don't expect you to have run a community or an association before. What matters most is your passion for Service Design, a clear vision for the community, and the engagement to make things happen. If you care deeply and you're willing to show up, that's what counts.

What is the discovery period?

The discovery period runs from August to October 2026. During this time, the selected candidate(s) get to know the community and the association from the inside. You engage as a member, not yet as president. It's a chance for both sides to see if the fit is right before making a public announcement. The committee supports you with constructive feedback throughout.

What happens if it doesn't work out after the discovery period?

The discovery period is designed as a trial run. You get to experience the real day-to-day work of leading the community, and the committee gets to see how the collaboration feels. If either side realises it's not the right fit, you can part ways with no hard feelings. That's the whole point: better to find out early, together, before making a public commitment.

Will I have support from the current committee?

Yes. You won't be thrown in alone. The previous leadership will personally onboard you and walk you through how things work. Beyond that, the committee stays on as an advisory body. Its members bring many years of experience in running associations and deep roots in the Swiss Service Design scene. You'll have people to lean on.

Can I bring new ideas or change the format of existing events?

Absolutely. You have total creative freedom. Formats, events, programmes, the way the community connects: anything can be changed. The only thing we ask is that what you build serves the Swiss Service Design community and stays aligned with the broader values of the Service Design Network.

Do I need to speak multiple languages?

You need to speak at least one Swiss national language (German, French, Italian, or Romansh) and English. Most of the community activities and international coordination happen in English, but being able to connect with local communities in a national language is important.

What's the relationship between SDN Switzerland and SDN International?

SDN Switzerland is a local chapter of the global Service Design Network. Being part of SDN International gives us access to networking opportunities, brand guidelines, website tools, and a wider community of practice. That said, there is no financial funding coming from SDN International. The chapter is self-sustaining and independently run.

I'm not a "traditional" Service Designer. Can I still apply?

 There's no such thing as a traditional Service Designer. People come to Service Design from all kinds of backgrounds, and that diversity is what makes the field so rich. What we care about is your passion for Service Design, your willingness to engage with the community, and your vision for where it could go. If that's you, apply.

What is the role of the committee?

The committee of the Service Design Switzerland Association currently functions as a mostly advisory body. Its members bring experience in running associations, deep knowledge of the Swiss Service Design scene, and a network of contacts built over many years. They are there to give you guidance, feedback, and support on strategic decisions. But the day-to-day running of the association, organising events, managing communications, building partnerships, that's on the president. The committee advises; you lead.

Who runs the selection process?

The selection is made by the association's committee. Here are the current members:

•  Daniele Catalanotto
• Peter Horvath
• Florian Egger
• Juliana Magalhães Cardoso
• Klaus Marek 
• Emmanuel Fragnière 
• Biliana Vassileva
• Marta Angelillis

Questions?

Reach out to Daniele Catalanotto, the current president, on LinkedIn. He's happy to chat and tell you more about the role and the community. He's an introvert who works in bursts, so he might take a little while to reply.