Managing Director (m/f/d)

Managing Director (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 and the .

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; native-level German is not required
• 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.

How to apply

Please send your CV and a short letter in German or English to [email protected]. Explain why the role fits your experience and give concrete examples of relevant leadership, public-funding, and Berlin–Asia work. Please name references within the AsiaBerlin community, if any, and confirm your possible start date and acceptance of the fixed salary.

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

Gehalt: 65.896,00€ - 68.898,00€ pro Jahr

Bewerbungsfrage(n):

• Do you have business-level German at C1 or above?
• Are you available to start on 1 January 2027 (latest 1 February) and has the ability to maintain the required Berlin presence and essential international travel?
• Do you accept the fixed, non-negotiable salary: TV-L pay group E13, step 3?

Arbeitsort: Zum Teil im Homeoffice in 10825 Berlin