EIT Food is looking for a Senior Programme Manager (Maternity Leave Cover – 9 Months)

ABOUT EIT FOOD

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 organisation focusing on entrepreneurship and innovation in the food sector.

EIT Food is a member organisation bringing together key industry players, agri-food startups, research centres 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.

Visit our website: https://www.eitfood.eu

JOB DESCRIPTION

EIT Food is seeking a Senior Programme Manager with extensive experience in the agrifood sector to lead and maintain programmes excellence for a 9-month maternity cover. This role is central to implementing high-impact initiatives, with a strong focus on diversity and inclusion, and social impact.

This role is integral to EIT Food’s commitment to social impact, inclusivity, and systemic change in the agrifood sector. As Senior Programme Manager, you will lead high-profile programs, cross-functional teams, 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 programmes 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 agrifood 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.

Key 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 agrifood 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 programmes 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.

Impact 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.

EXPERIENCE & SKILLS

• Extensive Agrifood Sector Experience: 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: 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.

WHAT WE OFFER

Working at EIT Food means joining a team of like-minded individuals who are dedicated to creating a better future through food innovation. We cultivate a culture of collaboration, inventiveness, inclusivity, and constructive feedback. All employees are encouraged to contribute their ideas and expertise towards our mission of creating a more sustainable and inclusive food system.

Together, we're making a real impact on the food industry and we're looking for talented individuals like you to join us.

As a valued member of our team, we'll provide you with a competitive salary and comprehensive benefits package.

CONTRACT TYPE

Temporary maternity cover (9 months), full-time.

LOCATION & TRAVEL FREQUENCY

Any of our EIT Food hubs (Belgium, Poland, Spain, Germany or UK)

Frequent travel within Europe.

Please note that all applicants must be legally authorized to reside and work in the EU (or UK for UK based candidates).

APPLICATION

Interested candidates are asked to upload their CV and Cover Letter in English in electronic format to CV Warehouse before 18.12.2024.

Shortlisted candidates may be invited for an interview and may be asked to prove their background, qualifications, skills and experiences by providing relevant documents.

EQUAL OPPORTUNITIES

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.