Business Continuity Lead

Job Posting Organization:
CERN, the European Organization for Nuclear Research, was established in 1954 and is one of the world's largest and most respected centers for scientific research. With a mission to uncover the fundamental structure of the universe, CERN employs thousands of physicists, engineers, and administrative staff from over 100 countries. The organization operates in multiple countries, primarily in Europe, and is known for its groundbreaking work in particle physics, utilizing the world's largest and most complex scientific instruments to study fundamental particles. CERN's commitment to diversity and inclusion is integral to its mission, fostering an environment where innovation and collaboration thrive.

Job Overview:
As the Business Continuity Lead at CERN, you will be pivotal in enhancing the organization's resilience by leading and coordinating business continuity activities across various departments. This role is situated within the Improvement, Continuity and Sustainability (OSI-ICS) Group of the Organisational Support and Improvement (OSI) Department. You will be responsible for developing, implementing, and maintaining CERN's Business Continuity Management (BCM) framework, ensuring alignment with CERN policies and international standards. Your contributions will include facilitating the identification and analysis of critical activities and vulnerabilities, coordinating the development of Business Continuity Plans (BCPs), and integrating business continuity management with enterprise risk and crisis management activities. Additionally, you will design and lead continuity exercises and simulations, providing expert advice to management and stakeholders on continuity strategies and resilience measures. This position requires a proactive approach to building business continuity awareness and capabilities across CERN, monitoring and reporting on the effectiveness of arrangements, and contributing to organizational resilience initiatives.

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.
• 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.
• Provide expert advice to management and stakeholders regarding continuity strategies, disruption preparedness, recovery capabilities, and resilience measures.
• Develop guidance, methodologies, tools, and training to enhance 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 discipline. While not mandatory, a recognized professional certification in business continuity or resilience management (e.g., ISO 22301 Business Continuity Management training, BCI/DRII certification) is considered advantageous. Candidates should demonstrate a strong understanding of continuity standards, methodologies, and best practices, as well as experience in process analysis and improvement.

Educational Background:
A Master's degree or equivalent in Business Continuity Management, Risk Management, Engineering, Legal, Organizational Resilience, Information Systems, or a related field is required. Additional certifications in business continuity or resilience management are beneficial but not mandatory.

Experience:
Candidates should 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. Proven ability to work across organizational boundaries and engage with diverse stakeholders to achieve positive change outcomes is required. Experience in designing and facilitating exercises, workshops, or training activities is desirable, and experience in an international, technical, or research environment would be an asset.

Languages:
Fluency in spoken and written English is mandatory, with a commitment to learning French considered a valuable asset for the position.

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 working flexibility. The job grade is classified as 6-7, and the reference for this position is OSI-ICS-2026-154-LD. CERN offers a competitive salary that is tax-free, along with 30 days of paid leave per year, comprehensive health insurance coverage, family allowances, and a relocation package depending on individual circumstances.