Lead for Policy Outreach – Europe [f/m/x] – Full-time (40 hours/week)

The European Space Policy Institute (ESPI), the leading independent European think-tank on space, is looking to employ a Lead for Policy Outreach – Europe at the premises of the Institute in Vienna (on-site), starting in Q3 2026 (please see all the details on the ESPI website https://www.espi.eu/wp-content/uploads/2026/03/VN-ESPI-POE-Lead-Mar26.pdf).

About the role

Can you read beyond the job description? Are you driven by purpose and passion and thrive in a pool of bright young minds? Do you cherish independence and can you stand up in open debate and advocate for impact? Can you build bridges in complex spheres of influence and power? Are you inspired by space? As the Lead for Policy Outreach – Europe at ESPI you will be primarily tasked with:

• developing and cultivating a Space Forum of high-level stakeholders, nurturing trust and value-centered relationships to bring the impact of ESPI to the centre of policy debates with governmental and institutional decision makers, leaders in industry, private sector, and civil society, beyond the space sector, anticipating political shifts and windows of opportunity for optimising the policy impact of space;
• leading and contributing to ESPI’s key European engagement initiatives and events, including existing ones and those currently in development, as well as European or Europe-hosted (non-space) external platforms like WEF, Munich Security Conference and others to be developed, incl. in other sectors;
• overseeing, implementing and further developing ESPI activities towards Parliaments, including but not limited to ESPI’s role as the Secretariat to the European Interparliamentary Space Conference (EISC).

The post requires close cooperation with ESPI’s Research and Engagement Staff as well as support to ESPI’s Management level. The position reports to ESPI’s Associate Director of European Engagement, Communications and Media. You will be joining a fast-paced growth environment in a culturally diverse team with varied backgrounds.

This position is anchored in ESPI’s engagement function, with main goals to cultivate high-stakes relationships and bring the impact of ESPI to the centre of policy debates, including through newly developed initiatives as well as external platforms. Through this, the advertised position also aims to further develop ESPI’s role in advising and promoting European space policy globally, in line with the ESPI2040 vision (see https://www.espi.or.at/espi-2040/).

Qualifications

• at least 8 years of work experience in European or broader international context, relevant to the post;
• a Master’s degree that relates to the Institute’s work and mission (e.g. Law, Economics, Political Science, International Relations, Business, Engineering, Physics, Banking & Finance, Technology & Innovation);
• leadership skills to guide a network or community, proficiency in relationship building and management of partnerships with diverse stakeholders;
• excellent organisational and representation skills, with intercultural and multistakeholder competence and a self-starting mindset;
• outstanding communication skills (written, oral, non-verbal) and sound interpersonal competence;
• excellent command of English (writing, grammar and editing skills);
• flexibility, impact-oriented thinking and attention to detail and accuracy.

Application Process

We accept applications by EU/EEA citizens as well as non-EU citizens. To apply for this position, please send:

• a copy of your CV in .pdf format,
• a motivation letter in .pdf format,

to vacancies@espi.eu with the subject: “ESPI Lead POE” before 26 April 2026, 23:59 CEST. Please do not submit educational records or certificates at this stage.

The position is full-time (40 hours/week) with flexible working conditions. The advertised salary is €60,000 – 65,000 gross per year (paid 14 times a year). Given ESPI’s status as a Quasi-International Organisation (QuIO) since July 2025, the salary of ESPI employees is exempt from tax.

Any additional bonus payment is subject to the Management’s decision and the Institute’s overall performance.

Why work with us? Read more about the benefits of working at ESPI here (see https://www.espi.or.at/vacancies/).