Job description
Director of Technology (all genders)
Company Overview
The Sovereign Tech Agency is an organization dedicated to the digital sovereignty of the economy and society. Our mission is to strengthen the foundations of our digital autonomy and secure open digital technologies as the critical infrastructure of the 21st century. With a commission from the German Federal Ministry for Digital Transformation and Government Modernisation, we invest in critical software components, develop programs, and create structures that sustainably strengthen the open source ecosystem.
Job Summary
We are looking for a Director of Technology to lead and shape the Sovereign Tech Agency’s technology and research work. As part of the management team, you will shape our technology strategy, identify critical fields of action, and lead a team of technologists and research-focused colleagues.
Key Responsibilities
- Lead the development of the Sovereign Tech Agency’s technology portfolio and further shape the organization-wide technology strategy.
- Identify, evaluate, and prioritize technology fields, emerging developments, and investment focus areas.
- Effectively allocate your team’s time in support of our day-to-day program work (e.g., Sovereign Tech Fund, Sovereign Tech Fellowship) in areas such as proposal review, project scouting, and program co-creation.
- Provide full line management and leadership for the technologists and research-related team members.
- Strengthen the Sovereign Tech Agency’s knowledge management related to critical open source technologies.
- In close partnership with the Director of Programs, translate our mission into the next phase of technological change, especially in light of developments in AI.
- Represent the organization's technical expertise to stakeholders, partners, and public audiences.
- Expand and maintain networks with relevant stakeholders in the technological environment.
- Initiate and guide research projects and inquiries related to critical open source infrastructure.
- Develop approaches to measuring and demonstrating the impact of our work.
Requirements / Qualifications
- Deep technical familiarity with Free and Open Source Software (FOSS) and the common practices within the open source ecosystem.
- Proven ability to develop and operationalize technology strategies across an organization or complex portfolio.
- Experience leading technical, research, or interdisciplinary teams.
- Strong orientation towards clear communication and reusable outputs.
- Familiarity with AI-related technological developments and their implications for open source.
- Strong internal and external stakeholder management skills.
- A degree in computer science, cybersecurity, applied technology, or comparable working experience in a technology role.
- Business fluent in German and English.
Preferred Qualifications
- Experience designing or using impact measurement approaches for technology projects, or related programmatic work is great to have.
Salary & Benefits
- Annual compensation of 84,500 EUR to 99,500 Euro based on experience.
- 30 days of vacation (based on a 5-day work week).
- Support for your professional and personal development, including the opportunity to attend international conferences.
- Initial two-year term with the goal of converting subsequently to an open-ended contract.
Location
This position is based in Berlin. We are open to a hybrid from-home/in-office work arrangement, with a minimum in-office presence of two days a week.
Employment Type
Full Time (40 hours per week). Employment under German law; work and residence must be in Germany.
Equal Opportunity Statement
We are a diverse team and welcome applications from BPoC (Black and People of Color), individuals with disabilities, people with migration backgrounds, and individuals from other groups underrepresented in technology development.
How to Apply
Please submit your application in English or German using the form on our website. We will accept applications for this position at least until 7 October 2026.
