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Wikimedia Deutschland – Gesellschaft zur Förderung Freien Wissens e. V. is a non-profit organisation based in Berlin, Germany. With about 180 staff and about 100.000 members, it is the oldest and largest of about 40 independent chapters of the international Wikimedia movement. The best known Wikimedia project, the free online encyclopedia Wikipedia, is used by millions of people across the world every day and is continuously updated and improved by millions of users. 

Wikimedia Deutschland promotes these ideals even beyond the free encyclopedia: It is our aim to establish and advocate for the creation, collection, and distribution of free knowledge in all parts of society. Our objective is to create a world in which the sum of all human knowledge is freely accessible for everyone. The main focus of our activities is the support of volunteers, the development of technology and software, and the cooperation with cultural and scientific institutions. Furthermore, we advocate on both the national and EU-level a legal framework which allows for free knowledge to become part of our everyday life.

For our department Software Development, based in Berlin, we are looking for an interim Director of Product Development (f/m/d), full-time or part-time (min. 32h/week), between May 1st 2024 to September 2025.

What you’ll be doing:

  • Co-Lead the Software Development Department of Wikimedia Deutschland with about 80 employees (together with the Director of Engineering)
  • Lead the Product Development division of the Software Development department. Support, invest in and develop a team of 5 team leads (Head of Product Management, Head of Product Operations, Head of UX Design and Research, Head of Software Communications, Head of Project Management)
  • Create a high performing and positive work environment based on open communication, agile principles, accountability, and trust. Instill a spirit of continuous improvement in the team’s code, architecture, and processes
  • Be responsible for operations and budget decisions for the software department
  • Be responsible for the product development life cycle and improve collaboration and communication across interdisciplinary teams to ensure the software department reaches its annual and mid-term strategic goals
  • Be an active WMDE leadership team member and report to our steering committee

What we offer:

  • A salary of up to 100.000€ / year (gross/ full time), based on experience level
  • A participative collaboration guided by our values: participation, diversity, free and open access, equity, sustainability and respectful collaboration
  • Benefits: 30 vacation days and additional time off on Dec. 24th and New Year's Eve
  • Access to our company pension scheme
  • Continued salary in the event of sick children
  • € 500 gross one-off payment for home office equipment
  • € 300 gross per year (€ 25 per month) allowance for running costs in the home office
  • All overtime is recorded and converted into compensatory time off
  • An office located in the center of Berlin and hybrid work options
  • WorkingAbroad@WMDE up to 4 weeks per year 
  • In-house training and continued professional development as well as free external life coaching (professional advice and coaching on job-related and private issues)

What makes you right for this role:

  • Experience as a Director of Product, CPO or similar leadership role
  • Experience in leading managers
  • Experience in cross-functional product team coordination and conflict resolution
  • Experience with different roles in the product development life cycle and their interactions
  • Experience in agile software development
  • Fluent English knowledge (written and spoken)
  • Good German knowledge (written and spoken)

Interested?

Then apply now! Send us your detailed application documents (CV & motivational letter (yes, we read them)) via our job portal. We kindly ask you to refrain from application photos and information on date of birth, marital status and family. 

Our HR team will be happy to answer your questions. Please contact us via jobs@wikimedia.de 

Wikimedia Germany is committed to equal opportunities and does not discriminate on the basis of, for example, ethnic origin, citizenship, religion or belief, political or other convictions, gender, age, disability, or sexual identity or orientation.