(Senior) Program Officer (m/f/d) – Trade, Technology & Geopolitics

Aspen Institute Deutschland e.V.; Berlin; On-site; EUR 60,000 - 86,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Flexible working hours

Remote work by mutual agreement

Modern office in Berlin

Job summary

Aspen Institute Germany in Berlin seeks a Senior Program Officer to shape the German-American Trade and Tech Dialogue. You will drive strategic development, expand international partnerships, and secure funding to strengthen the program.

Responsibilities include organizing formats, engaging speakers, and producing policy publications. The role combines program design, fundraising, and network-building in an international think-tank setting.

Qualifications

• University degree (Master) in Political Science, IR, Economics, Law, Public Policy, or related field.
• Expertise in transatlantic trade, technology, and digital policy; able to explain complex topics to diverse audiences.
• Experience organizing high-level events or managing international projects.
• Experience in fundraising, grant acquisition, sponsorship development, or working with funders.
• Structured, proactive, and independent working style with excellent organizational skills.
• Strong interpersonal and communication skills; able to engage with senior stakeholders.
• Existing network in transatlantic relations, trade, technology, or public policy is a plus.
• Proficiency in German and English.

Responsibilities

• Design, organize, and deliver high-level dialogue formats in virtual, hybrid, and in-person settings.
• Monitor and analyze developments in international trade, technology, geopolitics, and economic security, translating them into events, publications, policy discussions, and briefings.
• Identify, recruit, and engage distinguished speakers and discussion partners from government, business, academia, and civil society.
• Build and maintain relationships with senior decision-makers and partner organizations across Germany, Europe, and the United States.
• Represent Aspen Institute Germany in interactions with partner organizations, funders, and participants, and moderate events.
• Identify new funding and sponsorship opportunities and engage prospective funders and strategic partners.
• Develop project concepts, grant proposals, and sponsorship packages with the Program Director, and manage fundraising from outreach to donor reporting.
• Cultivate long-term relationships with public and private funders for sustainable financing of the program.
• Produce publications, policy papers, website content, and social media communications.
• Oversee project administration, including budgeting, financial reporting, and compliance with funding rules.
• Contribute new ideas and support strategic development of the German-American Dialogue.

Skills

Event management

Transatlantic policy

Fundraising

Stakeholder engagement

Grant writing

Budgeting

Policy analysis

Communication skills

German English

Education

Master’s degree in Political Science or related field

Tools

Microsoft Office Suite

Content management systems

Graphic design/layout software

Job description

(Full-time (40 hours/week) | Berlin | September 1, 2026 – February 29, 2028 (with intention to extend)

Are you looking to do more than organize events? Do you want to help shape international policy debates? Are you passionate about trade, technology, security, and geopolitics, and eager to work with leading decision-makers from Germany, Europe, and the United States? Do you enjoy taking responsibility, developing new ideas, and building strong networks? Then we would love to hear from you.
At the Aspen Institute Germany, we address the key political and societal challenges of our time. We bring together leading voices from government, business, academia, and civil so-ciety and develop dialogue and leadership initiatives on issues such as European security, transatlantic relations, geopolitics, digital transformation, artificial intelligence, and demo-cratic resilience.
To strengthen our Digital Program, we are looking for an outstanding candidate to join the German-American Trade and Tech Dialogue (GATT-D) – one of our flagship transatlantic initiatives at the intersection of trade, technology, and security.
The German-American Trade and Tech Dialogue convenes senior representatives from government, business, academia, and civil society in Germany, Europe, and the United States. The project addresses the geopolitical challenges shaping the transatlantic trade and technology agenda, including economic security, resilient supply chains, critical raw materi-als, artificial intelligence, cybersecurity, export controls, technology governance, and demo-cratic resilience. The dialogue is complemented by exclusive roundtables, publications, digi-tal formats, and a high-level German-American Trade and Technology Conference.
As a (Senior) Program Officer, you will play a leading role in the strategic, substantive, and operational development of the project. You will shape dialogue among senior stakehold-ers, expand international partnerships, and help secure new funding opportunities to further strengthen the program.
Your responsibilities

• Design, organize, and deliver high-level dialogue formats in virtual, hybrid, and in-person settings.


• Monitor and analyze developments in international trade, technology, geopolitics, and economic security, and translate them into compelling events, publications, policy discussions, and stakeholder briefings.


• Identify, recruit, and engage distinguished speakers and discussion partners from government, business, academia, and civil society.


• Build and maintain relationships with senior decision-makers and partner organizations across Germany, Europe, and the United States, while continuously expanding the project’s transatlantic network.


• Represent Aspen Institute Germany in interactions with partner organizations, funders, and participants, and moderate events or discussion sessions where appropriate.


• Identify new funding and sponsorship opportunities and take responsibility for engaging prospective funders and strategic partners.


• Develop project concepts, grant proposals, and sponsorship packages together with the Program Director, and manage the entire fundraising process – from initial outreach and proposal development to grant administration and donor reporting.


• Cultivate long-term relationships with public and private funders and contribute to the sustainable development and financing of the program.


• Produce publications, policy papers, website content, and social media communications.


• Oversee project administration, including budgeting, financial management, grant administration, financial reporting, and compliance with third-party funding requirements.


• Contribute new ideas and actively support the strategic development of the German-American Trade and Tech Dialogue.

Your Profile

• A university degree (Master degree) in Political Science, International Relations, Economics, Law, Public Policy, or a related field.


• Demonstrated expertise in transatlantic trade, technology, and digital policy, with the ability to analyze and communicate complex political and economic developments to a range of audiences.


• Experience organizing high-level events or managing international projects, ideally in a think tank, international organization, foundation, public institution, or similar environment.


• Proven experience in project management and the administration of externally funded projects.


• Experience in fundraising, grant acquisition, sponsorship development, or working with public funders, foundations, and corporate partners.


• A structured, proactive, and independent working style with excellent organizational skills.


• Strong interpersonal and communication skills, confidence in engaging with senior stakeholders, and the ability to build lasting professional relationships.


• An existing network in the fields of transatlantic relations, trade, technology, security, or public policy is an asset.


• Proficiency in Microsoft Office; experience with content management systems, graphic design, or layout software is an advantage.


• Excellent written and spoken German and English.

What We Offer

• A responsible position with significant scope for initiative in an internationally active public policy think tank.


• The opportunity to shape high-level debates on trade, technology, security, and transatlantic relations.


• Close collaboration with leading decision-makers from government, business, academia, and civil society across Germany, Europe, and the United States.


• A dynamic, international team with an open and collaborative working culture, short decision-making processes, and substantial individual responsibility.


• A varied role combining strategic program development, event management, policy publications, network building, and fundraising.


• Excellent opportunities to expand your international professional network and further develop your expertise.


• Flexible working hours, the possibility of remote work by mutual agreement, and a modern office in the heart of Berlin.


• Competitive compensation.