Lead Public Affairs Manager

Orcrist is building a next-generation data intelligence platform using cutting-edge technologies. We handle petabyte-scale data with sub-second queries. Our product is a Kubernetes-based platform delivered as B2B SaaS or as a self-hosted on-prem solution, including air-gapped deployments. We enable customers across defense, law enforcement, and enterprise to turn mission-critical data into actionable intelligence.

Role

We’re looking for a Lead Public Affairs Manager to join our Business Development team. In this role, you’ll take operational ownership of our political work across defense, security, AI, data processing, critical infrastructure, and digital sovereignty. You will translate political, regulatory, and budgetary developments into actionable recommendations, build and maintain institutional relationships, and prepare our leadership for high-level engagements with political stakeholders.

What you’ll do

• Conduct political monitoring across defense, security, budget, procurement, AI, data, cyber, and critical infrastructure
• Translate political, regulatory, and budgetary developments into concrete implications and strategic recommendations
• Build and maintain a systematic stakeholder register and engagement plans for political and institutional contacts
• Independently develop and maintain tier-2 and tier-3 relationships across ministry, parliamentary, and industry stakeholders
• Prepare C-level conversations with executive briefings, key messages, and clear objectives, documenting outcomes and driving follow-up actions
• Develop political narratives in close alignment with the CDO and Communications
• Draft position papers, Q&As, talking points, and background papers on key policy topics
• Coordinate association work, parliamentary formats, and relevant political events
• Manage lobby register, transparency, and conflict-of-interest processes together with Legal/Compliance
• Feed political signals and market insights back to GovDev, Product, and Leadership in a structured way

About you

• 5–8+ years of professional experience in public affairs, the Bundestag, federal government/ministries, parliamentary groups, associations, consultancies, or tech/defense companies
• Deep understanding of Einzelplan 14 (German defense budget), Bundeswehr procurement, and security policy decision-making processes
• Proven track record of preparing senior political conversations and delivering concise executive briefings, position papers, and Q&As under tight deadlines
• Strong technical literacy with the ability to explain complex AI, data, and security concepts accessibly to political audiences
• An active, established political network in Berlin
• High level of political judgment, discretion, and a structured, systematic approach to stakeholder management
• Business fluent German and English (C1+)
• Willingness to travel approximately 20–30% (national & international)
• Authorization to work in Germany