Project Manager, Strategic Initiatives & Corporate Development (m/f/x)

At Circus (Xetra: CA1), headquartered in Munich, we are pioneering global developments in on-demand autonomous food production. Everything from creation to production and operation – enabled by seamlessly integrated cutting-edge robotics and transformative AI technology.<br><br>Our foundation rests in the extensive developments of groundbreaking robotics driven by artificial intelligence, previously the missing link in achieving true autonomous food automation. This is the moment for a new status quo: Just as autonomous driving will disrupt how we build cities, organize our days, and live our lives, so will we shift our whole reality around food.<br><br>Our Team is backing a paradigm shift in one of humanity's most important sectors with the sharpest minds in Robotics, AI, Engineering and Culinary, collaborating closely with industry-leading partners to revolutionize every aspect of the food service experience.<br><br>Join us as we forge ahead, crafting a future where the art of cooking and the science of technology converge to create a world that thinks differently about food than it has for thousands of years – a world where food means something new.

We are expanding through new commercial partnerships, acquisitions, and an expanding operational footprint. This role exists to make sure our most complex, high-priority initiatives are properly scoped, driven, and landed — not left to drift across teams.<br><br>You'll own several strategic projects in parallel at any given time. The scope shifts with the business: one quarter it could be post-merger integration of an acquired company, the next a major commercial partnership, a new market entry, or a critical cross-functional ops programme. What stays constant is your job — bring structure, create clarity, and drive things to completion.

<ul><li><strong>Own a portfolio of high-priority strategic initiatives in parallel</strong> — driving each from initial scoping through execution to close-out</li><li><strong>Drive post-merger integration workstreams</strong> when Circus acquires, ensuring acquired entities are operationally embedded and synergies are realised on plan</li><li><strong>Scope new strategic projects from scratch</strong> — define objectives, owners, timelines, dependencies, and success criteria before execution begins</li><li><strong>Build and maintain programme roadmaps</strong>, tracking milestones across workstreams, surfacing blockers early, and keeping leadership aligned</li><li><strong>Manage upward and sideways</strong> — prepare decision-ready materials for the CEO and leadership team, escalate risks, and push for resolution when things stall</li><li><strong>Bridge Business Development and Operations</strong> — translate BD and CorpDev priorities into structured, executable plans in collaboration with the relevant teams</li><li><strong>Create structure in ambiguous situations</strong> — when a critical initiative has no clear owner or framework, you provide both</li></ul>

<ul><li>2–4 years of experience in Corporate Development, M&amp;A, strategy consulting, or a Founders Associate / Chief of Staff type role</li><li>Direct exposure to complex, company-level initiatives — M&amp;A transactions, post-merger integration, strategic partnerships, or similar</li><li>Strong scoping and structuring skills — you can take a vague mandate and turn it into a clear, owned plan</li><li>Comfortable managing multiple workstreams in parallel without losing grip on any of them</li><li>Excellent stakeholder management — you know how to align people who don't share the same priorities</li><li>Strong written and verbal communication in English; German is a plus</li><li>High ownership mindset — you treat deadlines as commitments and don't wait to be chased</li><li>You actively use AI tools in day-to-day work — you've integrated AI into how you research, structure, communicate, and execute</li></ul><br>

<ul><li>Experience specifically in post-merger integration or corporate venture / M&amp;A execution</li><li>Background in investment banking, private equity, or management consulting</li><li>Familiarity with product operations or agile delivery methodologies</li><li>Exposure to hardware, robotics, or food tech industries</li></ul>

<ul><li><strong>Compensation:</strong> Competitive base salary with stock options for full-time employees - real listed equity, not virtual units.</li><li><strong>Time Off:</strong> Unlimited paid vacation – we trust you to manage your time responsibly.</li><li><strong>Flexibility:</strong> Hybrid work setup with up to 2 months/year fully remote (Worcation).</li><li><strong>Personal Development:</strong> Annual training budget for workshops, coaching, conferences, or books. </li><li><strong>Mobility:</strong> Monthly flex benefit spendable on lunch, mobility, internet costs, or childcare via Become.1 - plus optional JobRad bike leasing or a subsidized Dance e-bike/e-moped subscription.</li><li><strong>Well-Being:</strong> Employer-subsidised membership to Urban Sports Club or Wellhub – access to gyms, studios, and wellness offerings across Germany.</li></ul>