(Senior) Program Officer – Trade, Technology & Geopolitics

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

Full-time (40 hours/week) | Berlin | September 1, 2026 to February 29, 2028 (with prospect of extension)

You want to do more than just organize events, but help shape international policy? Are you interested in trade, technology, security, and geopolitics and want to work with leading decision-makers from Germany, Europe, and the USA? Do you enjoy taking responsibility, developing new ideas, and building networks? Then we look forward to getting to know you.

At the Aspen Institute Germany, we work on the political and societal future issues of our time. We bring together leading personalities from politics, business, science, and civil society and develop dialogue and leadership formats on topics such as European security, transatlantic relations, geopolitics, digitalization, artificial intelligence, and democratic resilience.

To strengthen our Digital Program, we are looking for a dedicated team member for the German-American Trade and Tech Dialogue (GATT-D) – one of our central transatlantic projects at the intersection of trade, technology, and security. The German-American Trade and Tech Dialogue brings together high-ranking representatives from politics, business, science, and civil society from Germany, Europe, and the USA. The focus is on the geopolitical challenges of transatlantic trade and technology policy – from economic security, resilient supply chains, and critical raw materials to artificial intelligence, cybersecurity, and export controls, to common standards and democratic resilience. The dialogue is accompanied by exclusive roundtables, publications, digital formats, and a high-ranking German-American trade and technology conference.

As (Senior) Program Officer, you will take responsibility for the content, organizational, and strategic further development of the project. You will shape the dialogue between leading minds from politics, business, and science, further develop international partnerships, and contribute to unlocking new funding and financing opportunities for the program.

Your Responsibilities

• You will conceptualize, organize, and support high-level dialogue formats – digital, hybrid, and in-person.
• You will identify current developments in trade, technology, geopolitics, and economic security and prepare them for events, background discussions, publications, and political debates.
• You will identify and recruit speakers and discussion partners from politics, business, science, and civil society.
• You will build relationships with decision-makers and partner organizations in Germany, Europe, and the USA and continuously develop the project's transatlantic network.
• You will represent the Aspen Institute Germany to partner organizations, funders, and participants and moderate events or discussion rounds, where appropriate for the project.
• You will identify new funding and sponsorship opportunities and take responsibility for approaching potential funders and strategic partners.
• Together with the program management, you will develop project concepts, funding applications, and sponsorship proposals and manage the entire process – from initial contact and application to contract negotiation and reporting to funders and sponsors.
• You will maintain existing funding partnerships and contribute to the long-term securing of the program's financing and strategic development.
• You will create publications, background papers, and content for the website and social media.
• You will be responsible for project administration, including budget planning, fund management, fund disbursement, and reporting within the framework of third-party funded projects.
• You will contribute your own ideas and strategically develop the German-American Trade and Tech Dialogue and other formats within the Digital Program together with the team.

Your Profile

• You hold a completed university degree (Master's), for example in Political Science, International Relations, Economics, Business, Law, or a comparable field.
• You have proven expertise in transatlantic trade, technology, and digital policy and can confidently analyze complex political and economic developments in an audience-appropriate manner.
• You have experience in organizing events or international projects – ideally in the environment of think tanks, international organizations, foundations, or public institutions.
• You have solid experience in project management and the administrative implementation of third-party funded projects.
• You have already gained experience in acquiring third-party funds, fundraising, sponsorship, or in collaborating with public funders, foundations, or companies.
• You work in a structured, self-reliant manner and can keep track of multiple projects.
• You communicate confidently, have a self-assured demeanor, and enjoy interacting with high-level stakeholders.
• An existing network in the transatlantic, economic, technological, or security policy environment is an advantage.
• You are proficient in MS Office; experience with content management systems, image editing, or layout programs is welcome.
• You have excellent German and English language skills, both written and spoken.

We Offer

• A responsible position with significant scope for initiative in an internationally active think tank.
• The opportunity to actively shape current debates on trade, technology, security, and transatlantic relations.
• Collaboration with leading personalities from politics, business, science, and civil society in Germany, Europe, and the USA.
• Independent work in a dedicated, international team with short decision-making processes and an open working atmosphere.
• Diverse tasks that combine strategic project development, event management, publication work, network building, and fundraising.
• The opportunity to continuously expand your international network and to develop professionally and personally.
• Flexible working hours, mobile working by arrangement, and a modern office in the heart of Berlin.
• Appropriate remuneration.

Your Application

Please send your complete application documents (cover letter, curriculum vitae, certificates, and relevant work references) as well as your earliest possible start date and salary expectations exclusively by email and as a single PDF document with the subject line "Application (Senior) Program Officer – GATT-D" by August 23, 2026 to bewerbung@aspeninstitute.de.

As we wish to fill the position as soon as possible, we review applications on an ongoing basis and reserve the right to close the selection process before the application deadline. The interviews will take place in Berlin or virtually. Please understand that we do not cover travel expenses and refrain from telephone inquiries.

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