Director of European Positioning and Public Funding
Job Summary
CIC energiGUNE is seeking a Director of European Positioning and Public Funding, who will join the Centre's Management Committee and report to Director General.
The successful candidate will lead CIC energiGUNE's European positioning and competitive public funding activities, anticipating developments in R&D&I policies and programmes, strengthening the Centre's presence in high-value initiatives and increasing our ability to compete in European, national and regional programmes.
We are looking for a senior professional with the ability to interpret the evolution of the European R&D&I ecosystem and translate it into specific opportunities for the Centre, connecting our scientific and technological capabilities with new priorities, programmes and consortia. The position will play a particularly important role in preparing CIC energiGUNE for FP10 and promoting scientific excellence programmes such as the ERC.
Job Description & Benefits
MAIN RESPONSIBILITIES:
- Lead CIC energiGUNE's European positioning and competitive public funding strategy, defining a roadmap aligned with the Centre's scientific, technological and institutional strategy.
- Anticipate developments in European R&D&I policies, priorities and programmes, particularly in preparation for FP10, and identify strategic opportunities at European, national and regional level.
- Work with Scientific and Innovation Management, Area Directors, Principal Investigators and Business Development teams to connect CIC energiGUNE's distinctive capabilities with relevant priorities and opportunities.
- Strengthen the Centre's positioning beyond calls specifically focused on energy storage, identifying opportunities in areas where our capabilities can act as enabling technologies.
- Design and promote a specific approach to increase the Centre's competitiveness in scientific excellence programmes, particularly ERC and other Pillar I instruments.
- Lead opportunity prioritisation and go/no-go processes, ensuring the early and selective preparation of proposals with the highest strategic value.
- Drive proposal quality and the development of competitive consortia, promoting review and learning processes to continuously improve success rates.
- Represent CIC energiGUNE and build strategic relationships with European institutions, agencies, NCPs, CDTI, universities, research centres and key partners.
- Lead the public funding team and coordinate its activities with the Centre's scientific and corporate areas.
- As a member of the Management Committee, provide strategic insight on European positioning, competitive funding and the portfolio of opportunities and risks.
WHAT WE OFFER:
- The opportunity to join an internationally recognised research centre in energy storage and conversion, with a strong focus on scientific excellence, sustainability and impact.
- A senior leadership position as a member of CIC energiGUNE's Management Committee.
- A real opportunity to influence the Centre's European and institutional positioning and its competitive public funding portfolio.
- A high-level, multidisciplinary and international scientific and technological environment.
- Direct interaction with scientific teams, institutions, companies, European networks and strategic stakeholders.
- Competitive conditions in line with the responsibilities and experience required for the position.
- Flexible working hours and a working model compatible with the senior and international nature of the position.
APPLICATION PROCESS:
Applicants should submit their CV and a motivation letter through the CIC energiGUNE website: https://cicenergigune.com/en/employment-opportunities/128357822
CIC energiGUNE is committed to equal opportunities, diversity and inclusion.
Job Details
Organization Contact
Application Details
Required Education Level
Level 1
Required Research Experiences
Experience 1
Required Languages
Additional Requirements
Skills
VALUABLE REQUIREMENTS:
- Professional experience in Brussels, European institutions, NCPs, European offices, associations, technology platforms or organisations closely connected to European R&D&I policies.
- Experience with instruments such as Horizon Europe, ERC, EIC, MSCA, partnerships, missions, the Innovation Fund or other competitive European funding programmes.
- Experience in designing ERC approaches, supporting scientific excellence applications or evaluating European proposals.
- Knowledge of the Basque, Spanish and European science, technology and innovation ecosystems.
- Knowledge of areas related to energy, advanced materials, digitalisation, artificial intelligence, industry, sustainability or decarbonisation.
Specific Requirements
REQUIREMENTS:
- University degree. Postgraduate qualifications related to science, engineering, innovation, R&D&I management, European policies, economics or related fields will be valued.
- At least 10 years of professional experience in R&D&I positioning, competitive public funding, European programmes or related functions, gained in research centres, universities, specialised consultancies, agencies, European institutions, technology platforms or knowledge-intensive organisations.
- In-depth knowledge of the European R&D&I ecosystem and its main funding programmes and instruments.
Relevant experience in the preparation, coordination, evaluation, strategic management or positioning of highly competitive European proposals.
- Demonstrated ability to interpret political priorities and European programmes and translate them into strategic opportunities and decisions.
- Experience leading teams, cross-functional activities or complex projects involving multiple stakeholders.
- Ability to work effectively with and influence senior scientific profiles, technical teams, management, institutions and international partners.
- Strategic vision, ability to anticipate change and sound judgement when prioritising opportunities.
- High level of spoken and written English.
- Availability to travel regularly, particularly to Brussels and other relevant European locations.
