Business Continuity Lead

Job Posting Organization:
CERN, the European Organization for Nuclear Research, is a leading scientific research institution established to probe the fundamental structure of the universe. It employs physicists and engineers who utilize the world's largest and most complex scientific instruments to study fundamental particles. CERN's mission is to advance our understanding of the universe by conducting groundbreaking research and fostering innovation. The organization operates in multiple countries and is known for its diverse workforce, which includes professionals from various fields such as engineering, technical, scientific, and administrative roles. CERN values diversity and inclusion, making it a central part of its mission since its inception.

Job Overview:
As the Business Continuity Lead at CERN, you will be instrumental in enhancing the organization's resilience by leading and coordinating business continuity activities. This role is situated within the Improvement, Continuity and Sustainability (OSI-ICS) Group of the Organisational Support and Improvement (OSI) Department. Your primary responsibilities will include developing, implementing, and maintaining CERN's Business Continuity Management (BCM) framework, ensuring alignment with organizational policies and international standards. You will facilitate the identification and analysis of critical activities and vulnerabilities, coordinate the development of Business Continuity Plans (BCPs), and integrate business continuity management with enterprise risk and crisis management activities. Additionally, you will design and lead exercises and simulations to test and improve continuity strategies, providing expert advice to management and stakeholders on resilience measures. Your role will also involve developing training and guidance to enhance business continuity awareness across CERN.

Duties and Responsibilities:

• Develop, implement, and maintain CERN’s Business Continuity Management (BCM) framework in accordance with organizational policies and international standards.
• Facilitate the identification and analysis of critical activities, dependencies, vulnerabilities, and recovery requirements in collaboration with process and service owners.
• Coordinate the development of Business Continuity Plans (BCPs) and disaster recovery arrangements across various departments and functions.
• Integrate business continuity management with CERN's enterprise risk management and crisis management activities.
• Design, organize, and lead continuity exercises, simulations, and stress tests; analyze outcomes and drive continuous improvement initiatives.
• Provide expert advice to management and stakeholders on continuity strategies, disruption preparedness, recovery capabilities, and resilience measures.
• Develop guidance, methodologies, tools, and training to foster business continuity awareness and capabilities across CERN.
• Monitor, review, and report on the effectiveness of business continuity arrangements and their maturity.
• Contribute to organizational resilience initiatives and continuous improvement activities within OSI-ICS. 1
• Perform other tasks as required for the fulfillment of the Business Continuity Lead function.

Required Qualifications:
Candidates must possess a Master's degree or equivalent relevant experience in fields such as Business Continuity Management, Risk Management, Engineering, Legal, Organizational Resilience, Information Systems, or a related area. While not mandatory, a recognized professional certification in business continuity or resilience management, such as ISO 22301 Business Continuity Management training or BCI/DRII certification, would be advantageous. Candidates should demonstrate a strong understanding of continuity and availability management, including familiarity with continuity standards, methodologies, and best practices.

Educational Background:
A Master's degree or equivalent in a relevant field is required for this position. This educational background should ideally encompass areas related to business continuity management, risk management, engineering, legal studies, organizational resilience, or information systems. Candidates with additional certifications in business continuity or resilience management will be viewed favorably, although they are not strictly necessary.

Experience:
The ideal candidate will have demonstrated experience in business continuity management, organizational resilience, or risk management within a complex organization. Experience in conducting business impact analyses and developing continuity and recovery strategies is essential. Candidates should have a proven ability to work transversally across organizational boundaries and engage with diverse stakeholders to lead positive change outcomes. Experience in designing and facilitating exercises, workshops, or training activities is desirable, and familiarity with an international, technical, or research environment would be an asset.

Languages:
Fluency in spoken and written English is mandatory for this position, with a commitment to learning French considered a valuable asset. Proficiency in additional languages may enhance a candidate's profile but is not required.

Additional Notes:
This position is offered as a limited duration contract for 5 years, with the possibility of extension up to 8 years and eligibility for an indefinite contract tenure. The role requires a commitment of 40 hours per week and offers hybrid job flexibility. The job grade is classified as 6-7, and the reference for this position is OSI-ICS-2026-154-LD. CERN provides a competitive salary that is tax-free and increases with relevant experience. Employees are entitled to 30 days of paid leave per year, plus an additional 2 weeks of annual closure. Coverage under CERN’s comprehensive health insurance scheme is provided for employees and their families, along with membership in the CERN Pension Fund. Additional benefits include family, child, and infant monthly allowances based on individual circumstances, as well as a relocation package that may cover installation grants, removal, and travel expenses.