Head of Trade & Economics (m/w/x)

Do you want to shape ZEISS’s strategic response to global geopolitical and economic developments? The Strategic Corporate Development department drives strategy development and execution across the ZEISS Group. With diverse industry backgrounds and a culture of open exchange, the team contributes fresh ideas and analytical rigor to help ZEISS achieve its long‑term goals. As Head of Trade & Economics, you will own ZEISS’s global perspective on geopolitics, economics, and trade. You will ensure that insights from these areas inform strategic decisions, connect ZEISS to relevant expert communities, and guide the company through long‑term shifts and short‑term disruptions.

Your role:

• Define ZEISS’s position in geopolitics and trade
• Lead the Trade & Economics team within Corporate Strategy
• Shape ZEISS’s geopolitical and economic direction in close collaboration with the Executive Board, business unit and country leadership
• Own and evolve ZEISS’s geopolitical strategy in line with corporate priorities and business needs
• Drive scenario planning and support ZEISS’s response to geopolitical or economic crises
• Provide thought leadership on global economic and geopolitical trends and turn insights into actionable recommendations
• Ensure group‑wide access to high‑quality market intelligence and support market modelling
• Engage stakeholders at all levels and deliver clear, decision‑oriented analyses and recommendations

Your profile

• Excellent academic degree in economics, business, political science, natural sciences, or related fields; ideally a PhD and/or MBA with an economics focus
• At least 7 years of professional experience in consulting with focus on geopolitics or economics, or in research within this focus area (e.g., consulting firms, corporate strategy departments, international institutions, think tanks)
• Proven experience in leading and developing high‑potential teams
• Strong understanding of international trade and political‑economic developments in major economies (Europe, China, India, USA)
• Experience driving consulting‑like strategic projects and leading cross‑functional teams
• High comfort operating in ambiguity and adapting quickly to complex topics
• Exceptional analytical skills and strategic thinking, with the ability to communicate complex issues concisely to senior leadership and broader audiences
• Fluency in English; German proficiency is a plus

Step out of your comfort zone, excel and redefine the limits of what is possible. That’s just what our employees are doing every single day – in order to set the pace through our innovations and enable outstanding achievements. After all, behind every successful company are many great fascinating people. In a spacious modern setting full of opportunities for further development, ZEISS employees work in a place where expert knowledge and team spirit reign supreme. All of this is supported by a special ownership structure and the long‑term goal of the Carl Zeiss Foundation: to bring science and society into the future together. Join us today. Inspire people tomorrow. Diversity is a part of ZEISS.

We look forward to receiving your application regardless of gender, nationality, ethnic and social origin, religion, philosophy of life, disability, age, sexual orientation or identity.