Position description

The German American Chamber of Commerce, Inc. (GACC) is a non-profit organization. Founded in 1947, the organization’s mission is to facilitate and establish economic ties and business activities between Germany and the United States.

About the employer and this position

The Berlin Senate Department for Economic Affairs, Energy and Public Enterprises (https://www.berlin.de/sen/web/) is one of ten Senate Departments of the Berlin Senate and is responsible for policies in the areas of economy and energy. With its approximately 350 employees, its main mission is to facilitate a framework and environment for Berlin companies to grow within a global competative market and to entice outside companies to establish their business in Berlin. With its successful strategy, the Senate Department focuses on the proven strengths of its capital city:

• Attractive locations for research, technology, commerce and industry (a center for startups and labs).
• Attractive international location for qualified and motivated professionals.
• Impressive and creative diversity with an outstanding quality of life.

In order to achieve its goals, the Berlin Senate Department for Economic Affairs, Energy and Public Enterprises is looking for a

Regional Director (New York City)

for its business representation office in the US.

The Opportunity

This position offers the opportunity to shape Berlin's economic relationships with the U.S. at a time of significant technological, economic and geopolitical transformation.

As Regional Director of the Berlin Business Office USA, you will play a central role in connecting Berlin's companies, investors, researchers and talent with opportunities in the United States, while promoting Berlin as an internationally competitive European business and innovation hub with a high potential to invest, cooperate and establish presence for U.S. companies and talent alike.

The role combines strategic economic development, international business diplomacy, investment attraction, innovation partnerships and talent development.

Your tasks:

• Manage and further develop the business representation office for New York City and the U.S. with an overall responsibility for content and organization, including the representation of the State of Berlin towards third parties and the leadership of a small team.
• Attract U.S. companies for Berlin as a business location in coordination with Berlin Partner, Berlin’s business promotion agency:
• • Identify, contact and attract U.S. companies and investors for Berlin as a business location focusing on established Berlin business clusters.
  • Position Berlin as an international city for industry, innovation, startups and labs (keyword - ”Berlin as international city of innovation”) in which established companies collaborate with startups and research institutions fostering joint innovation.
  • Analyze the interests of U.S. companies; introduce proposals that may have been prepared in Berlin; participate in the generation of leads; facilitate meetings; follow up with contacts.
• Support of small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) and startups from Berlin that wish to expand to the US market or that are already involved in the US market. Support for designated projects from Berlin:
• • Match Berlin SMEs and startups in the US with potential business partners, authorities and institutions, find contacts regarding financial and legal topics.
  • Matchmaking for Berlin startups particularly in regard to market entry, financing, skilled personnel and strategic partners.
  • Identify industry specific market opportunities for SMEs from Berlin.
  • Facilitate company exchanges and potential industry clusters in view of public requests for proposal.
  • Accompany and support Berlin companies during networking with US companies and scientific institutions.
  • Support the creation of content for and the organization of delegation trips or Berlin projects in the U.S.
  • Identify and attract U.S. talent for Berlin.
• Report to the Senate Department for Economic Affairs, Energy and Public Enterprises about current economic developments in the U.S. and about opportunities to further deepen the cooperation with the Berlin economy.

Qualifications

• Minimum bachelor’s degree or comparable qualification.
• Experience with business consulting especially regarding site selection.
• Competence in consultation and support of SME’s regarding market entry.
• Very good knowledge of Berlin as a business location, in particular of the structures and participants of respective Berlin industry clusters (energy & clean tech; transport/mobility/logistics; photonics; ICT services, media & creative industries; pharmaceutical and healthcare industries) and interdisciplinary topics (startups, talent).
• Very good knowledge of the economic structures and institutions in the US.
• Excellent German and English language skills.
• Network competence in the US and in Germany.
• Experience in establishing business networks.
• Very good communication skills.
• Independent, structured and conceptual approach.
• Very good competence regarding process management and presentation.
• Experience in budgetary planning and monitoring of publicly financed projects or institutions.
• Strong strategic and analytical capabilities, including the ability to identify economic trends, assess business opportunities and translate complex developments into practical recommendations.

Salary range: $120,000 - $140,000

Application instructions

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