Company Description

Bertelsmann is a €19bn global powerhouse in media, services and education, with around 75,000 employees operating in more than 50 countries worldwide. Its portfolio brings together market leaders such as RTL Group, Penguin Random House, BMG, Arvato Group and Bertelsmann Education Group — alongside many other businesses that shape markets, set standards and reach millions of people every day.

Bertelsmann Investments (BI) serves as the Group’s global investment platform, bundling the growth unit Bertelsmann Next and our venture capital activities to achieve best-in-class returns and empower entrepreneurship worldwide. With decades committed to venture and several billion in assets under management, we partner with leading entrepreneurs and venture funds across stages and sectors.

BI operates four dedicated funds with 300+ active investments worldwide: two regional platforms — Bertelsmann Asia Investments and Bertelsmann India Investments — and two thematic funds across the US and Europe — futurepresent (focused on AI and technology) and Bertelsmann Healthcare Investments (focused on Health Tech). In addition, we hold selected fund and direct investments across growth regions like Latin America and Southeast Asia. We invest as return-driven venture capitalists and co-invest alongside some of the world’s most renowned VC firms.

Now, BI is establishing a new function at the intersection of venture capital, technological disruption and Bertelsmann’s operating businesses. To build this new function, we are creating the role of Vice President Market Intelligence — an entrepreneurial mandate with direct strategic impact across the Bertelsmann Group.

The mission is clear: generate early, actionable insight into technological disruption — particularly AI-driven change — and translate it into concrete strategic decisions for Bertelsmann’s divisions. The role will serve as the critical link between our global venture ecosystem and our operating businesses, ensuring that signals from founders, markets and emerging technologies are systematically converted into competitive advantage and measurable business impact.

Job Description

• Build and lead the Market Intelligence function from scratch, defining its mandate, governance and interfaces, and positioning BI as strategic thought partner to the divisions
• Act as a key interface between BI’s VC ecosystem and Bertelsmann’s operating businesses, creating structured transparency on deal flow, emerging technologies and market shifts while enabling pilots, partnerships and new business opportunities
• Translate technological disruption (especially AI) into concrete strategic action, deriving clear implications, options and pathways for existing Bertelsmann businesses
• Establish a strong cross-Group and external innovation network, building trusted relationships with key stakeholders, understanding core business value drivers, and connecting Bertelsmann to global innovation ecosystems
• Work closely with existing Bertelsmann units, incl. the Tech & Data and Partnerships teams
• Foster a culture of knowledge sharing and collaboration

Qualifications

• 7+ years of leadership experience with a proven track record of building and scaling initiatives with full ownership and strong entrepreneurial drive
• Established network in European and/or US venture, private equity or innovation ecosystems
• Strong relationship-building, influencing and interpersonal skills, feeling comfortable building out a global network at Bertelsmann
• Deep expertise in AI and technology-driven business models, with the ability to translate technological disruption into clear strategic implications and tangible business impact
• Strong business acumen, analytical rigor and investor mindset
• Internationally minded, culturally adaptable, fluent in English (German appreciated), and a strong fit with our humble, down-to-earth culture

Additional Information

Start date: ASAP
Location: Headquarters in Gütersloh (optional office options in Berlin & Hamburg) – Role will involve significant international travel

What’s in for you

• Direct exposure to top management across Bertelsmann divisions
• Unique insight into global technology and venture ecosystems
• Close collaboration with leading VC investors and entrepreneurs
• Entrepreneurial, international, high-growth environment
• High degree of ownership and freedom to act
• Platform perspective across industries (e.g., Media, AI, HealthTech, Education, FinTech, Services), regions and business models
• Collaborative and inclusive culture

We welcome applications from people of all backgrounds and experiences. Even if you don’t meet every requirement, we encourage you to apply if you believe you could be a great fit for this role.

Sound like a fit? Let´s chat! Please send your complete application documents via online-application form.

We welcome applications from people who will contribute to the diversity of our Company.

Bertelsmann SE & Co. KGaA | Bertelsmann Investments | Hilke Heise | Postfach 111 | 33311 Gütersloh | www.createyourowncareer.de

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