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

Job Description

Job Description:

Your Chance

Airbus is seeking you as an experienced and dynamic Public Affairs Manager (d/f/m) with a focus on R&T & Digital Policy to coordinate our political relations and public funding opportunities in Germany.

This pivotal role will be instrumental in shaping Airbus's strategic positioning on research & technology (R&T) and digital policy matters (75%), while also supporting overall public affairs for Airbus Commercial Aircraft in Germany (25%).

Reporting to the Head of Public Affairs Germany, Commercial Aircraft, you will drive Airbus's consistent representation across the German political landscape at the federal and Länder level.

Your Benefits

• Attractive salary and special payments
  
• 30 days paid vacation and extra days-off for special occasions
  
• Excellent upskilling opportunities and great international, group wide development prospects
  
• Special benefits: employer-funded pension, employee stock options, discounted car leasing, special conditions for insurances, employee benefits at cooperating companies
  
• Compatibility of family & work (job sharing, part-time models, flexible working hours, individual timeout)
  
• Working in a diverse environment, with more than 140 nationalities, where every voice is heard
  

Your Tasks and Responsibilities

• 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.

Your Boarding Pass

• 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.
  

This role offers you a unique opportunity to contribute significantly to Airbus's strategic objectives at the intersection of research, technology, industrial, environmental and site policy.

Come on board and join us now!

This job requires an awareness of any potential compliance risks and a commitment to act with integrity, as the foundation for the Company’s success, reputation and sustainable growth.

Company:
Airbus Operations GmbH

Employment Type:
Permanent
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Experience Level:
Professional

Job Family:
Legal

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Airbus is committed to achieving workforce diversity and creating an inclusive working environment. We welcome all applications irrespective of social and cultural background, age, gender, disability, sexual orientation or religious belief.

Airbus is, and always has been, committed to equal opportunities for all. As such, we will never ask for any type of monetary exchange in the frame of a recruitment process. Any impersonation of Airbus to do so should be reported to emsom@airbus.com .

At Airbus, we support you to work, connect and collaborate more easily and flexibly. Wherever possible, we foster flexible working arrangements to stimulate innovative thinking.