Public Affairs Manager (d/f/m) for R&T & Digital Policy, Berlin

Airbus pioneers sustainable aerospace for a safe and united world. The Company constantly innovates to provide efficient and technologically-advanced solutions in aerospace, defence, and connected services. In commercial aircraft, Airbus offers modern and fuel-efficient airliners and associated services. Airbus is also a European leader in defence and security and one of the world's leading space businesses. In helicopters, Airbus provides the most efficient civil and military rotorcraft solutions and services worldwide.

Tasks

• R&T & Digital Policy Leadership (75%): Orchestrate and ensure consistent alignment of Airbus's political narrative and corporate statements on R&T and digital policy with German political entities and government agencies.
• Funding & Synergy Management: Identify and secure public funding opportunities for research and advanced technology projects (mainly from BMWE, BMFTR, BMV) and steer the Airbus’ cross-divisional German R&T public affairs network.
• Strategic Positioning & Thought Leadership: Shape Airbus's position as a leader in European high-tech, focusing on CO2-neutral aviation, technological sovereignty, sovereign cloud, AI, cybersecurity, and defense tech.
• Lobbying & Legislative Accountability: Lead German national lobbying efforts regarding EU and federal digital legislative frameworks (e.g., AI Act, EUCS, NIS2) in close collaboration with the Airbus Brussels office.
• Commercial Public Affairs Strategy (25%): Support the Head of Public Affairs Germany, Commercial Aircraft, on the overall strategy, providing business background and messages fully adapted to German administration standards.
• Executive Briefings & Top-Level Engagements: Prepare high-level briefings, speeches, and strategic papers for the Executive Committee and German Management Board, and manage engagements between senior leadership and key government representatives.
• Network & Association Representation: Cultivate relationships within critical industry associations (e.g., BDLI, BDI, Bitkom, Acatech, Stifterverband), research organizations (e.g., DLR, FhG), and host political delegations at Airbus sites.
• This role will involve some travel for business and as such you must be able to travel accordingly.

Profile

• Education: Educated to a Master’s degree level in Science, Technology, Engineering or Political Science, Economics, Law, or an equivalent field of study.
• Professional Experience: Proven track record in a Public Affairs, Government Relations, or Policy role within a complex, multinational organization or political institution, with deep expertise in R&T, digital policy, and public funding.
• Network & Relations: Extensive existing network within the German federal government, relevant ministries (e.g., BMWE, BMFTR, BMV, BMUKN), political parties, industry associations, and/or the tech ecosystem.
• Target-Group Communication: Outstanding ability to communicate complex political and technical topics precisely on point, with a proven track record of adapting messages seamlessly to the respective audience level.
• Strategic & Diligent Mindset: Ability to anticipate political developments and translate them into strategies, paired with a highly conscientious and structured approach to managing governance and policy frameworks.
• Leadership & Stakeholder Management: Exceptional ability to lead cross-functional initiatives, drive consensus across diverse stakeholders, and prepare senior executives for high-level engagements.
• Languages: Fluency in German and English is mandatory; proficiency in French is a plus.