Senior Programme Manager
EIT Food
Length of contract
9 months
About the Organisation
EIT Food is Europe’s leading food innovation initiative, working to make the food system more sustainable, healthy, and trusted by consumers. Established by the European Institute of Innovation and Technology (EIT) in 2017, EIT Food is a fast-growing partnership organization focusing on entrepreneurship and innovation in the food sector.
EIT Food is a member organization bringing together key industry players, agri-food startups, research centers, and universities from across Europe representing the food value chain in Europe. In addition to thematic leadership, EIT Food is also responsible for coordinating a multi-million euro EU grant allocation from the EIT and distributing it among its partners and stakeholders for the implementation of projects.
EIT Food headquarters (HQ) are based in Leuven (Belgium) and it has 5 regional offices (Co-Location Centres or CLCs) in Europe (based in Poland, Spain, Germany, the UK, and Belgium), each working with and for partners in several EIT Food partner countries.
About the role
This role is integral to EIT Food’s commitment to social impact, inclusivity, and systemic change in the agri-food sector. As Senior Programme Manager, you will lead high-profile programs, and cross-functional teams, and coordinate and engage diverse stakeholders to maximize program effectiveness, scalability, and financial sustainability, playing a strategic role in aligning program delivery with EIT Food’s mission and goals.
As a strategic leader, you will oversee program design, implementation, and evaluation, ensuring alignment with EIT Food’s mission and European regulatory standards. In this position, you will drive the strategic direction of our initiatives to create meaningful social impact in the agri-food sector. Your expertise in program management will be essential in elevating the influence of EIT Food’s social innovation agenda across Europe and beyond. You will report to the Director of Programmes Delivery.
Responsibilities
Programme Leadership and Strategic Innovation:
- Drive the strategic planning and implementation of EWA and other social innovation programs, advancing diversity, social equity, and impactful change within the agri-food sector.
- Co-design, implement, and oversee program strategies that enhance social innovation, emphasizing measurable outcomes and impact for inclusivity, diversity, and sustainability.
- Manage all aspects of program delivery, including budgeting, resource allocation, and timeline management, while ensuring compliance with Horizon Europe and other relevant regulations.
- Lead the continuous improvement of program frameworks, aligning them with EIT Food’s core objectives and adapting to emerging challenges and opportunities within the food sector.
Stakeholder Engagement and Strategic Partnerships:
- Serve as a primary liaison for EWA and social innovation programs, cultivating relationships with key stakeholders, including governmental agencies, industry leaders, NGOs, and community organizations.
- Collaborate with EIT Food’s regions and stakeholders to expand program reach and foster cross-regional synergies, creating a unified and scalable approach to social impact.
- Drive financial sustainability by identifying and securing partnerships and funding opportunities with public and private sector entities.
- Represent EIT Food in conferences, forums, and public engagements, showcasing leadership in social innovation and strengthening EIT Food’s position as a thought leader in the agrifood ecosystem.
Team Leadership and Cross-Functional Collaboration:
- Lead a cross-functional, multidisciplinary team, fostering an inclusive, results-driven culture focused on achieving high standards of program delivery and impact.
- Promote a learning environment that encourages creative solutions, continuous improvement within the team, and innovation culture.
- Mentor and guide team members to maximize professional growth, foster knowledge-sharing, and ensure efficient collaboration within and across teams.
- Coordinate with other Programme Managers, Directors, and EIT Food’s operational teams to align initiatives with broader organizational goals.
Measurement and Data-Driven Insights:
- Develop and oversee robust frameworks for monitoring, evaluation, and impact assessment to drive informed decision-making, evaluate program performance, optimize strategy, and communicate results to stakeholders and funders.
- Implement performance tracking systems, utilizing KPIs to drive informed decision-making, enhance program efficiency, and inform long-term planning and innovation.
- Conduct regular evaluations to assess program effectiveness and identify areas for improvement, creating comprehensive reports that highlight progress, outcomes, and opportunities.
- Utilize data-driven insights to enhance program performance, scalability, and alignment with EIT Food’s strategic goals.
Skills, Competencies & Experience
Skills and Experience:
- Extensive agrifood sector experience and a solid background in program management within the agrifood or social innovation sectors, ideally with a focus on gender equity and social impact.
- International program management proven track record managing complex, multi-regional programs, ideally within a large pan-European organization.
- Leadership demonstrated success in leading complex, multi-regional programs and managing cross-functional teams in a fast-paced, international environment.
- Data-driven mindset and strong analytical skills with experience in KPI development, impact assessment, and data interpretation for strategic decision-making.
- Business acumen strong business mindset with an understanding of financial sustainability.
- Stakeholder engagement and management ability to cultivate and manage diverse partnerships with corporate, governmental, and community organizations.
- Communication skills excellent verbal and written communication abilities in English; additional language skills are an asset.
- Adaptability and problem-solving skilled at navigating challenges with creativity and resilience, maintaining flexibility in a rapidly evolving sector.
Required Qualifications
- Undergraduate Degree
Compensation & Benefits
- Competitive Salary
- Comprehensive Benefits Package
Conditions of employment
- You must be eligible to work in the EU
Working locations
- Remotely working in the EU
How to apply
- Send an email to [email protected] with a CV and a cover letter by 18th December 2024
Interviews
- Shortlisted candidates will be contacted for an interview.
Policies
- EIT Food is an equal opportunity employer, offering each candidate matching the minimum obligatory qualifications and experiences an equal chance in employment and promotion procedures.