At Aiven, our vision is to help developers and builders bring their ideas to life with speed and simplicity by providing a data platform that makes open-source infrastructure easily accessible to everyone. We are now embarking on one of our most ambitious strategic bets to ensure open-source thrives on European cloud infrastructure.

The Role

We are looking for a Head of Public Policy to shape the regulatory and institutional landscape around European sovereign cloud infrastructure and lead Aiven’s company-wide policy work. Your mission is to influence how ‘sovereign cloud’ is defined in European policy, ensuring that sovereignty means more than data residency. In practice you will be creating the narrative and forming the landscape for a new category around truly sovereign and open-source cloud infrastructure.

What You'll Do

Policy Strategy & Ownership

• Define and execute Aiven's public policy strategy centred on true European sovereignty and open-source 
• Ensure this strategy is tightly integrated with Aiven's roadmap and commercial objectives

Create the True Sovereign Cloud category

• Push the open-source sovereignty narrative into new audiences like government decision makers, universities, and the next generation of public sector technology leaders to build long-term category ownership
• Position Aiven as a credible and trusted voice in European cloud sovereignty and AI infrastructure policy through exceptional thought leadership

Government & Institutional Relationships

• Engage with EU institutions, national governments, and standards bodies to advocate for sovereign cloud definitions that prioritise European ownership, control and open-source principles 
• Build trusted, long-term relationships with senior government officials and institutional stakeholders

Policy Intelligence & Strategic Action

• Track certification timelines, procurement frameworks, budget signals, and political developments across European markets
• Translate these into actionable intelligence that enables Aiven to engage earlier and more effectively than competitors

Cross-functional Partnership

• Partner with marketing to ensure policy positions feed into public narrative and thought leadership
• Partner with product and engineering to ensure Aiven’s offering meets evolving certification and compliance requirements
• Engage directly with early design-partner customers in regulated industries to validate requirements and understand the customer needs first hand

What We're Looking For

You have deep experience working at the intersection of technology policy, government relations, and European regulation. You understand how EU policy gets made not just in theory, but through direct involvement in shaping frameworks, certification schemes, or procurement standards. You have existing relationships with senior government officials, EU institution stakeholders or defence and security procurement leaders.

You understand cloud infrastructure and open-source technology well enough to engage credibly with both policymakers and engineering teams. You have excellent taste and conviction on why open-source and European-controlled infrastructure matters and the seniority to turn that into simple narratives for a minister, a procurement officer, or a room full of policy advisors.

You have true passion to create an European category king in the cloud market, thrive in ambiguity and move fast without waiting for permission. 

Amazing! What’s next:

If you think Aiven is the place for you and that our Values align with yours, send us your resume and we’ll get in touch!

Global Benefits:

Our global benefits are designed to help you thrive and grow, personally and professionally:

• Participate in Aiven’s equity plan.
• Balance work and life with our hybrid work policy.
• Choose the equipment you need to set yourself up for success.
• Use your Professional Development Plan budget for learning opportunities.
• Receive holistic wellbeing support through our global Employee Assistance Program.
• Inquire about our Global Time Off Commitment (Parental and Sick Leave, as well as Personal Time)
• Enjoy country-specific benefits for our global cast.

How to Recognize and Avoid Employment Scams:

There has been a rise in fake job postings used by scammers to get personal information. At Aiven, all of our emails relating to recruitment come from an @aiven.io, @greenhouse.io or @eu.greenhouse.io domain and all of our interviews are conducted by video call or in person.  Our interviews will never occur via text or chat. If you’re unsure of the legitimacy of a job opportunity/offer pertaining to Aiven, please don’t hesitate to reach out to us at recruitment@aiven.io.

Equal Opportunities:

Aiven provides equal employment opportunities to all qualified employees and applicants for employment without regard to age, gender identity, national or ethnic origin, religion, sexual orientation, physical and mental ability, marital and family status or without regard to any other similar personal attributes. Aiven complies with applicable local laws governing non-discrimination in employment in every location in which the company operates. This policy applies to all terms and conditions of employment, including recruiting, hiring, placement, promotion, termination, layoff, transfer, leaves of absence, compensation, training and any other terms and conditions related to employment.

At Aiven we are committed to providing reasonable accommodations for qualified individuals with disabilities or special needs in our working environment and job application procedures. We make all reasonable accommodations for persons with disabilities or who otherwise need support to thrive in the workplace. We are committed to continuously improving workplace accessibility. There is an option to request a discussion in the application process but if you have any questions before applying please write to us at recruitment@aiven.io.

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