Project Manager on Business Creation

MAIN DUTIES/RESPONSIBILITIES INCLUDE:

You will create and implement dedicated programmes and instruments within largest European agri-food ecosystem EIT-Food and supporting start-ups and entrepreneurial talents in the Nordic countries and countries targeted by EIT RIS (Regional Innovation Scheme), including Bulgaria, Croatia, Czech Republic, Estonia, Hungary, Latvia, Lithuania, Poland, Romania, Serbia, Slovakia and Slovenia

Reporting to CLC Director and RIS Programme Manager in CLC North-East and collaborating with Business Creation Teams throughout EITFood

Your responsibilities will include:

Building and orchestrating a strong ecosystem of start-ups

• Establishing and maintaining insightful relationships with startup communities and ecosystems in Nordics and RIS countries by being single point of contact
• Engaging in innovation scouting for start-ups and entrepreneurial talents by reaching out to entrepreneurial talents, start-ups and support organisations such as entrepreneurship incubators, accelerators, venture capital funds, innovation clusters, industry associations, as well as regional or national authorities and European Commission
• Cooperating with EIT Food Hubs (subcontracted organisations, acting as contact points for stakeholders in RIS countries)

Co-creating, Promoting and Implementing Programmes for building Entrenepreneurship and Innovation capabilities

• Evaluating entrepreneurial opportunities to build, qualify, expand and sustain the pipeline of entrepreneurial ideas and ventures that could be supported by EIT Food
• You integrate members within the ecosystem and stimulate them to participate in events.
• You identify and leverage new Business Creation opportunities in line with the strategy.
• You are responsible for the planning, implementation and the reporting of activities and programmes within the in alignment with the EIT rules/guidelines and the EIT Food Business Creation strategy.

Creating impact

• Assessing innovativeness, technology readiness, intellectual property implications, customer needs, commercial feasibility of business models and monetization potential when evaluating entrepreneurial opportunities
• Identifying opportunities for joint projects involving start-up and EIT Food partners that add value and deliver KPI’s
• Monitoring and analysing the success of selected Start-ups, ensuring to meet the KPI’s and preparing reports within CLC NE, EIT Food management and EIT
• Actively looking for revenue generation opportunities to support EIT Food's financial sustainability

Exposure and Scope

• You will interact with primary producers, students, scientists, alumni of EIT Food activities and companies within the food system to promote entrepreneurial development, open innovations and science-industry knowledge transfer
• You will co-operate with Rising Food Stars, EIT Food Sparks, EIT Food Accelerator Network (FAN) and to share good practices and engage start-ups from RIS countries in business creation activities of EIT Food
• You will look for alignment and synergies between RIS activities targeting start-ups and business creation activities of EIT Food
• You will liaise with other functions in EIT Food headquarters (such as Finance, Operations, and Communication)

We offer:

• A challenging and stimulating position within the leading European food innovation initiative
• To contribute to high-potential innovative AgriFood business development in Eastern Europe and Nordics.
• The opportunity to work in a human-sized, dynamic and excellence-oriented environment
• An attractive remuneration package
• A full-time permanent contract

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.

APPLICATION:

Interested candidates are asked to apply in English before September 23, 2021.

Shortlisted candidates may be invited for an interview.

Ideally, the candidate has:

• Master degree or professional training related to entrepreneurship, innovation management and business management
• University or professional education related to agri-food sector is a clear plus
• Minimum 5 years of work experience, including 3 years of relevant working experience related to start-ups, technology markets, new business development
• Excellent Communication Skills
• Expertise and experience in the food sector is a clear plus
• Strong sense of ownership with proven record of delivering results
• Combining analytical thinking with creativity
• Solid business judgment, orientation for progress, practical application of technical solutions, broad, flexible and interdisciplinary thinking
• Experience in preparing business plans and pitching in front of investors is an asset
• Very good command of Microsoft Office and social media channels for professional use
• Excellent English (writing and speaking), knowledge of other language is a clear plus

Other skills and qualities:

• Openness and proven ability to establish trust as well as the capacity for building alliances between industry, public sector, research, education and other stakeholders, including remote communication with international teams
• Taking initiative, independent and trustworthy
• Respectful of timelines and deadlines and attention for detail,
• Ability to work both independently and in small but multi-national teams
• Organised, proactive, service-oriented and capable of multi-tasking