The Sovereign Tech Agency is looking for a Program Manager to lead the Sovereign Tech Fellowship and Sovereign Tech Standards network, two cohort-based programs that engage directly with open source maintainers and contributors.

Who we are:

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.

Open digital infrastructure is the backbone of the digital world. It is essential for the flow of information, for government, for business, and for innovation, much like roads and bridges in the physical world. The most effective strategy for building this infrastructure is open source software: it is the bedrock on which our digital society is built - powerful, collaborative, and democratic.

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, including the people behind the code. Our work is unique: we are leading the way on how governments engage with open digital infrastructure and laying the groundwork for how modern societies ensure resilience, technological diversity, and public digital services. Together, we are building Europe’s digital future – open, secure, and sovereign.

Who we are looking for:

We are looking for a Program Manager: Fellowship and Standards to contribute to the growth of two programs at the Sovereign Tech Agency.

In this role, you will take hands-on ownership of two key cohort-based programs targeting open source maintainers:

1. The Sovereign Tech Fellowship supports and develops key maintainers, community managers, and technical writers working on critical open source projects, enabling these projects to become more sustainable over time.
2. The Sovereign Tech Standards network, currently in pilot phase, addresses the under-representation of open source maintainers in standards development organizations like the W3C, the IETF and ISO. You will drive cohort design and mentoring components (both peer-to-peer and via external experts) and apply a program management mindset: focusing on overarching strategy, cohort development, and continuous impact measurement.

Your Tasks:

• Leading and strategically managing the Sovereign Tech Fellowship and the Sovereign Tech Standards network.
• Designing and facilitating cohort-based program structures tailored to open source maintainers.
• Organizing and overseeing diverse mentoring formats, including peer mentoring and the coordination of external experts.
• Administering the programs, including application review, budget development, contracting, and invoice review, in partnership with our operations and legal teams.
• Communicating with prospective applicants, current participants, and external stakeholders, including coordinating with standards bodies.
• Representing the Sovereign Tech Agency and its programs at conferences and across the broader open source community.

Your Qualities:

• Technical familiarity with free and open source software (FOSS) and the workflows of maintainers is essential for this role.
• Experience in program management (or highly comparable experience), reflecting a strategic, programmatic mindset rather than project management skills alone
• Demonstrable experience in designing, running, or managing cohort-based programs.
• Exposure to standards development processes is a plus.
• Business fluent in German and English. o Our working language is English, so you must be able to communicate clearly and succinctly in English.
• You’re a team player and enjoy collaborating with coworkers, active and open communication, and both giving and receiving feedback.
• You’re organized, self-directed, and proactive, working effectively with modern collaboration tools For us, your motivation, attitude, and vision are as important as your resume. Even if you don’t fit all requirements, we welcome your application.

What we offer:

• Based on experience and qualifications, the annual compensation for this role (at 40 hours per week) is 73,000 - 85,500 Euro aligned with the TVöD-Bund wage agreement for the public sector.
• Flexible work arrangements from our office in Berlin-Mitte or in a hybrid model o You will need to be in the office at least two days per week. o We have four in-person team meetings in or around Berlin per year; almost all meetings are scheduled during GMT +1 working hours. o Employment under German law; work and residence must be in Germany
• 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
• In our small, agile team, your perspective matters: we explicitly welcome you to contribute ideas and suggestions about how we can develop as an organization and to actively participate in shaping our future.

Diversity and Inclusion:

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.

If you belong to these groups, please feel free to mention it in your application. However, we encourage you to refrain from including a photo of yourself or any information about your age, gender, marital status, or similar details in your documents.

How to apply and the next steps:

Please submit your application in English or German using this form. https://ats.talentadore.com/apply/program-manager-sovereign-tech-fellowship-standards/Z0z6RG

We will confirm receipt of your documents by email. We will set up an introductory meeting after reviewing all appications, either in person in Berlin or via video call. We will accept applications for this position through 17 July 2026.

If you have any questions, please feel free to email us at jobs@sovereign.tech.