Principal, Geopolitical and Country Risk (m/w/d)

<p>As Principal you will lead and grow Control Risks’ Europe &amp; CIS Geopolitical &amp; Country Risk (GCR) practice, providing strategic direction, client leadership, and operational excellence as part of a global team of over 100 analysts and consultants. The role combines practice leadership with hands-on delivery of complex advisory engagements for senior decision-makers at multinational companies and other major clients. Ideally you will be based in Berlin but we will also consider applicants based in London.</p><p>Key responsibilities include:</p><p><strong>Leadership of the GCR Europe &amp; CIS Practice</strong></p><ul><li>Lead the strategy, growth, and performance of the Europe &amp; CIS GCR practice, ensuring revenue, profitability, and delivery targets are achieved.</li><li>Oversee complex, high-value consulting engagements, including cross-service line and multi-regional projects involving senior client stakeholders.</li></ul><ul><li>Support analytical leadership on political, regulatory, and security developments across the region.</li><li>Drive innovation through the development and rollout of new products, services, and solutions.</li></ul><p></p><p><strong>People Leadership</strong></p><ul><li>Lead, develop, and mentor the Europe &amp; CIS team through effective performance management, coaching, and role-modelling collaborative leadership and wellbeing.</li></ul><p></p><p><strong>Business Development</strong></p><ul><li>Meet personal and team sales origination targets through client engagement, thought leadership, conference participation, and development of integrated solutions.</li><li>Build and maintain senior client relationships, strengthen market positioning, and identify new opportunities across existing and prospective clients.</li></ul><p></p><p><strong>Business Management</strong></p><ul><li>Manage the practice efficiently, maintaining financial discipline, target margins, and robust operational oversight.</li></ul><p></p><p><strong>Brand &amp; Market Presence</strong></p><ul><li>Represent Control Risks externally through media, conferences, thought leadership, and social media engagement.</li></ul><p></p><p><strong>Risk Management</strong></p><ul><li>Protect the firm's reputation by ensuring appropriate risk assessment, governance, and escalation of potential issues. </li></ul><p>&nbsp;</p><p><strong>Requirements</strong></p><ul><li>Master’s degree or equivalent (in relevant subject matter). </li><li>Minimum of 10 years of full-time professional experience in winning and delivering political risk intelligence and advisory consulting on highly regulated, policy-sensitive sectors, such as energy, infrastructure, defence, telecoms, healthcare/life sciences, financial services and/or digital technologies.</li><li>Access to a large network of reliable, credible sources in European policy communities, think tanks, ministries, security agencies and from the business community.</li><li>Excellent communication, listening and negotiation skills in English and preferably at least one other European language, ideally German.</li><li>Experience in public speaking, including larger audiences (100+)</li><li>Advanced analytical and report writing skills in English (and preferably one other European language). </li><li>Excellent knowledge and demonstrated experience in applying methodologies for political risk analysis (i.e. threat assessments, risk assessments, scenario development and planning); ability to develop bespoke methodologies.</li><li>Excellent knowledge of risk management frameworks and understanding of how private businesses manage both strategic and operational risks in practice.</li><li>Demonstrable experience selling consulting services to international clients. </li><li>Strong project management skills &amp; demonstrable ability to multi-task and manage multiple commitments under time pressure.</li><li>Demonstrable commercial acumen when planning and pricing projects.</li><li>Willingness to travel for work. </li></ul><p><strong>Benefits</strong></p><ul><li>Control Risks offers a competitively positioned compensation and benefits package that is transparent and summarised in the full job offer.</li><li>We operate a discretionary global bonus scheme that incentivises, and rewards individuals based on company and individual performance.</li><li>Control Risks supports hybrid working arrangements, wherever possible, that emphasise the value of in-person time together - in the office and with our clients - while continuing to support flexible and remote working.</li><li>As an equal opportunities employer, we encourage suitably qualified applicants from a wide range of backgrounds to apply and join us and are fully committed to equal treatment, free from discrimination, of all candidates throughout our recruitment process. </li></ul><p>If you require any reasonable adjustments to be made in order to participate fully in the interview process, please let us know and we will be happy to accommodate your needs.</p><p>Find <a href="https://www.arbeitnow.com">Jobs in Germany</a> on Arbeitnow</a>