Key Expert Team Lead
“Transatlantic Rising Stars”

As the cultural institute of the Federal Republic of Germany, the Goethe-Institut operates 151 institutes in 98 countries worldwide. With over 70 years of experience, we facilitate international cultural exchange, promote access to the German language, and support the unimpeded development of culture and science. Our mission encompasses fostering mutual understanding, providing information about cultural, social, and political life in Germany, and promoting German language teaching and learning.

The Goethe-Institut is represented in the United States with six offices located in Boston, Chicago, Los Angeles, New York, San Francisco, and Washington, D.C. The oldest of these, the Goethe-Institut New York, was established in 1957. In addition to these institutes, our partner network in the U.S. includes the Goethe-Zentrum in Atlanta, over 18 examination centers, and numerous affiliated organizations. Collectively, these institutions promote German language learning and foster international cultural exchange across the country.

The opportunity

The Goethe-Institut USA is currently preparing a bid to provide technical assistance for the Transatlantic Rising Stars Project. The Transatlantic Rising Stars Project (TRSP) aims to establish strategic people-to-people programs in the cultural sector to empower EU creative actors to enhance mutual understanding, build trust, and appreciation for EU values and priorities in the US. The TRSP leverages the arts to strengthen transatlantic ties by increasing understanding of EU values, fostering immersive collaborations between European and American artists, and building lasting cultural networks. To achieve this, the program consists of three sub-programs: (1) an artist-in-residence initiative placing EU visual artists in US residencies for co-creation and a final summit in Washington, DC; (2) a film program where emerging EU filmmakers showcase their work at a US festival and engage with industry professionals; and (3) a music program that equips EU musicians with insights into the US industry while facilitating collaboration and performances with American artists.

Role overview

The Team Leader shall be the general manager of the Transatlantic Rising Stars Program. He/She will be in charge of managing the team of key and non-key experts and the overall supervision, administration, smooth implementation and reporting of the project.
The Team Leader is the official communication person on behalf of the project inter alia towards the Contracting Authority, Project Partner, EU member states and potential applicants. Therefore, the Team Leader shall have to demonstrate, throughout his/her proven qualifications, skills and professional experience, excellent interpersonal skills and team-oriented work style; ability to dialogue with partners as well as with civil society.

The Team Leader position is part-time (330 days in 36 months) preferably based in the US, (within the EU is also possible, but US candidates are preferred). Regular travel across the US is required. Estimated start date for this assignment is 1st of July 2025 with a project period of 36 months.
Recruitment will be subject to contract award.

The candidate should have the following profile:

Qualifications and skills

• Advanced university degree (Master’s degree) or equivalent in a management related discipline such as public relations, international relations, international business, political sciences, social sciences, arts management, communication, economics, or administration;
• Participation in at least three projects implying knowledge and understanding of Project Cycle Management;
• Participation in at least three projects in the field of cultural industries training or education at the international level;
• Excellent written and oral communication skills in English (at least C1), (another EU language would be an asset).

General professional experience

• Preferably more than 10 years, but a minimum of 7 years of professional (including in the field) experience in any of the following areas: international relations (preferably including the EU), international exchanges, cultural industries, policy making and advice delivery, event management, networking activities;
• Minimum 2 years of professional experience in the management of international teams of experts.