(Senior) Manager Institutional Relations German Football Association (DFB)

Job Description

We are looking to fill a full-time position as soon as possible. a (Senior) Manager for Institutional Relations (m/f/d) in the Directorate for Political Relations, Society & Security in Frankfurt am Main.

The position is initially limited to 2 years.

Your tasks

• Strategic development, maintenance and further development of the DFB’s institutional relationships with (sports) associations, social organizations, networks, foundations and other relevant institutions
• Function as central contact person for all questions concerning institutional relations within and outside the association
• Content preparation and support for various topics in the field of institutional relations, including taking on cross-cutting tasks.
• Systematic planning, organization and follow-up of meetings with external stakeholders
• Preparation of decision-making documents, preparation of meetings and appointments, and presentations.
• Background research and content preparation on relevant topics
• Close coordination and alignment with internal departments such as Corporate Social Responsibility, Political Relations, Human Resources, International Relations and Partner Management
• Establishment, management and further development of the Female Brilliance network, including:
  • Planning, organization and follow-up of Female Brilliance events for networking participants from sports, society, media, business and politics
  • Coordination of existing and development of new collaborations with external partners
  • Building, supporting and developing a Female Brilliance community, including managing digital content and active community management.

Your profile

• Successfully completed studies, ideally in the fields of communication sciences, political science, social sciences, sports management or a comparable qualification
• Ideally, several years of professional experience in stakeholder management, association work, or collaboration with social institutions
• Knowledge of the sports landscape in Germany and the institutions in international football
• An existing network of (sports) associations and social organizations is advantageous
• Strong understanding of strategic relationship management, political and social contexts, and cross-functional interface work, as well as enjoyment in proactively building and expanding networks
• Experience in planning and executing events and networking formats, as well as strong organizational and communication skills
• Confident handling of social media formats, especially LinkedIn, including professional network maintenance, community management and development, creation of target group‑oriented posts, and building and moderating professional networks
• Independent thinking and action, high self‑motivation, and a structured, independent, and solution‑oriented work style
• Teamwork skills, empathy, and the ability to handle sensitive information with trust
• Excellent written and spoken English skills; additional foreign languages are an advantage
• Excellent MS Office skills
• Willingness to travel for work and to be deployed in the evenings or on weekends

We offer you

• The football organization in Germany with the broadest scope in terms of content and personnel
• Varied tasks, each with its own unique challenges, which contribute to the further development of personal skills in different dimensions
• A work culture characterized by respect, openness, passion and team spirit
• A versatile, dynamic team that enjoys making changes and shaping the future
• The DFB Campus offers a state‑of‑the‑art working environment with flexible workspaces and various sports facilities (indoor football hall, beach volleyball, gym, running track)
• Flexible working hours and the option to work remotely
• Many more benefits and discounts with our partner companies

Further information

We look forward to receiving your application, including salary expectations, by January 12, 2026.

Apply for this position

About Us

The German Football Association (DFB) is the umbrella organization for the state associations, regional associations, and the DFL (German Football League), where football is played. The DFB’s primary task is to organize football in league matches and competitions. The DFB represents the interests of its member associations both domestically and internationally. With more than 7 million members, the DFB is one of the world’s largest sports federations. The DFB acts with social and socio‑political responsibility and is deeply committed to the principles of fair play. Recreational and grassroots football also receives special support from the DFB.

The DFB aims to organize football in a sustainable and successful manner for the long term and to responsibly utilize its diverse potential to preserve and strengthen the democratic and ethical foundations of a free society. It is committed to quality, objectivity, honesty, fairness, and integrity as essential prerequisites for shared success.

The DFB stands for inclusion and diversity. Therefore, we strongly welcome all applications regardless of gender, age, cultural, religious, or social background, sexual orientation, or disability. If you have specific requirements regarding the application process, please mention them in your cover letter. We welcome applicants of all nationalities who are authorized to practice their profession in Germany.

Tagged as: Full Time, Germany, Institutional Relations, Leadership & Management, Senior, women's football