Managing Director and Executive Board Member (m/f/d)

AsiaBerlin; Berlin; On-site; EUR 70,000 - 90,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

30 days annual leave

TV-L pay grade E13

Annual special payment (Nov)

Job summary

Asia Berlin Forum e.V. in Berlin is seeking a Managing Director to lead ABF's daily work and serve on the Executive Board. You will implement the Board's priorities and manage programmes, partnerships, and funding to deliver measurable results.

The role requires senior leadership experience, strong background in public funding, and fluency in German (C1) and English. You will travel internationally and maintain Berlin-based presence, while coordinating with partner governments and institutions.

Qualifications

• Senior leadership experience in a nonprofit or public-funded setting.
• Practical experience with public funding, grants, procurement, reporting, or audits.
• Business-level German (C1) and fluent professional English.
• Experience across Germany and Asia and building cross-cultural trust.
• Evidence of business development, fundraising, partnerships, sponsorship, or membership growth.
• Sound judgment on budgets, contracts, and organizational risks.
• Ability to lead a small team and make resourceful decisions.
• Willingness to be based in Berlin with international travel.

Responsibilities

• Lead ABF's daily work and a small team with clear priorities.
• Prepare Board and General Assembly meetings and brief leadership.
• Translate board decisions into annual plans, budgets, and delivery.
• Ensure Senate funding applications, budgets, and documents are complete and on time.
• Develop strong applications for new projects and funding sources.
• Provide executive direction for the AsiaBerlin Summit and other programmes.
• Develop AsiaBerlin strategy with the Berlin Senate and report on it.
• Build and maintain relationships with governments, cities, embassies, companies, universities, investors, members and partners.
• Grow memberships, sponsorships, partnerships, and paid programmes.
• Oversee finances, contracts, compliance, and major risks.
• Set priorities and risk limits for data, systems, AI, and suppliers.
• Represent ABF in line with Statutes, Rules of Procedure, Präsidium, and Board.

Skills

Senior leadership

Public funding experience

German C1

Fluent English

Cross-cultural collaboration

Fundraising / partnerships

Budget and governance

Strategic planning

Team leadership

Job description

Managing Director and Executive Board Member (m/f/d)

Asia Berlin Forum e.V. (ABF) | Berlin | Full-time | Start: 1 January 2027

About ABF

Asia Berlin Forum e.V. connects Berlin's innovation community with partners across Asia. We organise the AsiaBerlin Summit, delegation trips, roadshows, and year-round programmes with public and private partners. Our work brings together government, business, investors, universities, and people building new ventures.

The role

We are looking for a Managing Director to lead ABF's daily work and serve as an Executive Board member. You will implement the Board's priorities and the Senate-funded AsiaBerlin mandate as programmes, partnerships, income, and measurable results. This is a hands-on leadership role in a small team. The framework is set by the ABF Statutes and the Board's Rules of Procedure.

Your responsibilities

• Lead ABF's daily work and a small team with clear priorities and responsibilities.
• Prepare Board and General Assembly meetings, brief the President and Board members, keep the Board and Präsidium informed, and prepare decisions clearly.
• Turn Board decisions into annual plans, budgets, and delivery.
• Ensure that ABF's yearly Senate (SenWEB) funding application, budget, and supporting documents are complete, accurate, and submitted on time.
• Develop strong applications for suitable new projects and funding sources.
• Provide executive direction for the AsiaBerlin Summit and other programmes while programme specialists lead detailed delivery.
• Continue developing an AsiaBerlin strategy together with the Berlin Senate and report on it.
• Build and maintain relationships with governments, cities, embassies, companies, universities, investors, members, and partners.
• Develop memberships, sponsorships, partnerships, and paid programmes within ABF's non-profit rules.
• Oversee finance, contracts, compliance, and major organisational risks with the responsible specialists.
• Set priorities and risk limits for data, systems, AI, and suppliers.
• Represent ABF within the authority and internal appointment protocol defined by the Statutes, Rules of Procedure, Präsidium, and Board.

Travel and working pattern

The role is based in Berlin and includes an agreed hybrid-work arrangement. Business travel within Germany and internationally, including Asia, is part of the role when required by funded programmes and agreed priorities. Travel varies during the year and must stay within approved budgets. Some evening or weekend work is expected around trips and major events.

Your profile

• Senior leadership experience in an organisation, programme, network, or comparable setting
• Practical experience with public funding, government partners, grants, procurement, reporting, or audits
• Business-level German at C1 and fluent professional English
• Strong experience working across Germany and Asia and building trust across cultures
• Evidence of business development, fundraising, partnerships, sponsorship, or membership growth
• Sound judgement on budgets, contracts, organisational risk, data, and technology
• Ability to lead a small team, delegate well, and make decisions with limited resources
• Ability to maintain the required presence in Berlin and travel internationally
• Legal ability to work under the proposed arrangement and availability for the intended start date

Employment terms

• Salary: orientated at TV-L pay group E13, step 3; fixed and non‑negotiable.
• Working time: full-time, 40 hours per week.
• Contract: fixed for 12 months, from 1 January to 31 December 2027.
• Probation: three months, subject to confirmation in the final employment contract.
• Annual leave: 30 working days.
• TV-L special payment in November.
• No Berlin metropolitan-area allowance. Collective‑agreement increases depend on approved funding and are not automatic during the grant year.
• Employment and appointment to the Executive Board require the relevant formal approvals.

We welcome applications from people with different backgrounds and lived experiences. What matters is the evidence you bring against the published requirements.