The ifa – Institut für Auslandsbeziehungen (Institute for Foreign Cultural Relations) is seeking to appoint, as of 1 July 2026, a Secretary General (m/f/d) on a full-time basis, for a fixed term of five years.

As one of the central intermediary organisations of the Federal Republic of Germany's foreign cultural and educational policy, with headquarters in Stuttgart, an office in Berlin, and a staff of almost 200, the ifa – Institut für Auslandsbeziehungen e. V. works internationally through art and civil society to foster understanding and trust between people. It promotes democratic civil societies and advocates for freedom in art and academia as well as freedom of expression. The ifa is funded by the Federal Foreign Office, the Federal Ministry of the Interior, the State of Baden-Württemberg, and the City of Stuttgart.

Secretary General (m/f/d)

At a time of geopolitical shifts and in a rapidly changing and politically challenging environment, your task will be to implement and further develop the ifa's fields of impact in art and civil society, as well as its expertise in protection, research, and debate. This work will be based on the ifa's newly defined purpose and new strategy, which are currently being implemented as part of an organisational restructuring process, and will be carried out in close cooperation with the ifa's governing bodies and staff.

The Secretary General of the ifa serves as the Executive Board within the meaning of the German Civil Code and manages the affairs of the Institute in accordance with its statutes and the resolutions of the ifa's supervisory bodies. The Secretary General is appointed by the ifa Presidency, subject to the approval of the funding bodies: the Federal Foreign Office, the State of Baden-Württemberg, and the City of Stuttgart.

You are an experienced, modern executive leader who assumes responsibility for managing the ifa as Executive Board and further develops the organisation strategically and with a clear focus on impact.
You bring leadership and management expertise in the fields of contemporary art, foreign cultural policy, academia, or related areas, as well as strong strategic and conceptual skills.
You have a proven track record in securing third-party funding and sponsorship.
You are familiar with current cultural discourses, particularly in the visual arts.
You lead with appreciation, collaboration, and an integrative approach.
You are highly skilled in stakeholder management and have experience working with governing bodies, the media, political stakeholders, and partners from the ifa's fields of impact.
You present yourself with confidence and possess excellent communication skills.
You have an international network, intercultural competence, and experience abroad. You also have excellent English-language skills; additional language skills would be welcome.

Remuneration is outside the collective pay scale and is based on salary grade B3 of the German Federal Civil Servants Remuneration Act. The appointment is for a period of five years. Reappointment is possible. The place of work is Stuttgart.

The ifa fosters a collaborative and open working atmosphere. Modern and family-friendly working conditions are a matter of course for us. The ifa values diversity and promotes a working environment that understands diversity as a strength. As a registered association, the Institut für Auslandsbeziehungen e. V. is a private-sector employer.

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Institut für Auslandsbeziehungen (ifa)

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Secretary General (m/f/d)