Head of Government Affairs

• Head of Government Affairs - ICEYE Germany
• Location: Berlin, Germany
• Department: CEO Office
• Reports to: CEO, ICEYE Germany
• Employment type: Permanent
• Workplace model: Hybrid
• Employment is subject to applicable security screening (incl. SUPO, where required)

The Head of Government Affairs is the senior political engagement lead for ICEYE Germany, responsible for securing, sustaining and shaping federal political support for ICEYE’s priority programmes.

This role owns and executes a structured government affairs strategy across BMVg, BAAINBw, relevant Bundestag stakeholders and key federal institutions. The position ensures continuous political alignment, early identification of policy and procurement risks, and proactive positioning of ICEYE Germany within Germany’s defence, industrial and space policy landscape.

Reporting directly to the Local CEO, this role safeguards the political foundation necessary for programme continuity, procurement success and long-term strategic growth.

ICEYE delivers space-based intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance (ISR) capabilities to governments and allied nations. This includes sovereign and turnkey ISR missions leveraging ICEYE’s world-leading synthetic aperture radar (SAR) satellite technology, as well as access to data from the world’s largest SAR satellite constellation. These capabilities enable partners to detect and respond to critical changes anywhere on Earth with unprecedented speed and accuracy – day or night and in any weather, supported by ultra high-resolution imagery and high-frequency revisits.

As a trusted partner for defense, intelligence, security, and maritime domain awareness, ICEYE’s near real-time data creates a tactical advantage for mission-critical operations. Designed for dual use, the platform also serves civil protection and commercial users for natural-catastrophe intelligence, insurance, maritime monitoring (including oil-spill detection), and finance, contributing to global security and community resilience.

ICEYE is headquartered in Finland and operates globally across Europe, North America, the Middle East, and Asia-Pacific. We have more than 900 employees, united by a shared vision: improving life on Earth by becoming the global source of truth in Earth Observation.

The German entity plays a central role in national security programmes, supporting the development of sovereign reconnaissance capabilities in partnership with RISS and Rheinmetall, and contributing to Europe’s sovereign intelligence.

• Own and institutionalise senior-level access across BMVg, BAAINBw and relevant Bundestag committees, ensuring sustained political backing for Spock 1, Spock 2 and future programmes.
• Develop and implement a structured government affairs strategy aligned with corporate and programme objectives.
• Shape policy narratives around sovereign ISR and space-based reconnaissance capabilities in partnership with RISS, Rheinmetall and internal leadership.
• Establish permanent political and policy monitoring across defence procurement, industrial policy, export control and space strategy; identify emerging risks and provide early warning and mitigation recommendations.
• Act as primary point of contact for government inquiries, parliamentary interactions and ministerial engagement related to defence, procurement and industrial policy; prepare decision-grade briefings for executive engagements.
• Coordinate with Sales, Programme Leads, Legal and Compliance to align political strategy with commercial objectives while ensuring export control, security and regulatory compliance integrity.

Must haves:

• Established senior-level network within BMVg, BAAINBw and relevant Berlin government stakeholders.
• Proven experience in defence policy, government affairs or national security programmes.
• Demonstrated track record of protecting and advancing political backing for major defence or security programmes.
• Strong analytical capability in political and procurement environments.
• Excellent influencing, stakeholder management and executive communication skills.
• Fluent German and…