Innovation Manager (m/f/d) for EIT Higher Education Initiative

About EIT RawMaterials

As the world moves towards a greener future, the demand for raw materials—minerals and metals—is set to increase immensely over the next three decades. Europe faces a critical challenge in securing a stable supply of these essential resources. This challenge is where EIT RawMaterials steps in. EIT RawMaterials is at the forefront of driving innovation and sustainability in the raw materials sector. As an Innovation Community within the European Institute of Innovation and Technology (EIT), we collaborate with over 300 partners across industry, academia, and research institutes. Together, we forge dynamic, long-term partnerships to develop innovative solutions that meet Europe's growing demand for raw materials.

About the EIT Higher Education Initiative (formerly the EIT HEI Initiative)

The EIT Higher Education Initiative is a joint EIT Community activity coordinated by EIT RawMaterials. Eight of the nine EIT Knowledge and Innovation Communities (KICs) participate in its implementation. Under Horizon Europe and specifically illustrated in the EIT Strategic Innovation Agenda 2021-2027, the EIT and the KICs are raising the bar in higher education and creating systemic impact by (i) strengthening the innovation and entrepreneurial capacity of HEIs at the institutional level and (ii) empowering HEIs to engage with their innovation ecosystems. It does this by providing participating organisations with:

- access to the EIT innovation ecosystem

- learning, co-creation and networking opportunities in a community of higher education innovators

- funding that enables education, business and research to work together to develop and implement innovation capacity building action plans

The EIT Higher Education Initiative holds annual Calls for Proposals through which cohorts of projects are selected for funding. So far, 65 projects have been implemented, and a further 42 projects are due to begin their project lifecycle in April 2025.

POSITION

As Innovation Manager for the EIT Higher Education Initiative, your role will be twofold:

1. Innovation Manager in the EIT Higher Education Initiative core coordination team
2. Project Officer for EIT Higher Education Initiative projects assigned to EIT RawMaterials

Innovation Manager in the EIT Higher Education Initiative core coordination team

Through our projects, new startups and spinoffs are created and existing ones receive support. With a professional background in business development, technology transfer, and/or research commercialisation, the Innovation Manager will contribute their expertise in innovation principles and processes to the EIT Higher Education Initiative’s core coordination team. They will be responsible for strengthening the Initiative’s support of business creation in projects.

Tasks and duties:

• Contribute innovation and business creation knowledge and expertise to the EIT Higher Education Initiative programme, enhancing higher education institutions’ capacity to translate research into market-ready innovations. Contribute this perspective to the strategic direction, planning and implementation of the Initiative, including but not limited to Business Plans, policy documents, workshops and events.
• Lead the design, development and coordination of trainings, activities and opportunities that support the project partners and Community of Practice members with the research to market process, such as technology transfer, innovation commercialisation and intellectual property management.
•  Provide support to the team of Project Officers and project partners with the successful delivery of their Core KPI targets (all business creation-focused).

Project Officer for EIT Higher Education Initiative projects assigned to EIT RawMaterials

Responsible for supporting and monitoring the successful execution of EIT Higher Education Initiative-funded projects assigned to EIT RawMaterials (the projects starting in April 2025 will fall under the responsibility of this position). The role of Project Officer combines typical project management responsibilities (covering support to the project with its development, implementation, delivery and promotion) with administrative and reporting tasks.

Tasks and duties:

• Oversee and support the management and implementation of funded projects throughout their lifecycle.
• Facilitate project onboarding and coordinate contractual agreements.
• Engage with and support project partners through regular communication and meetings (online/offline).
• Provide strategic input to improve workplans, maximise impact, and mitigate risks.
• Ensure the quality preparation and delivery of project documentation, including reports and performance metrics.
• Collaborate with cross-functional teams to align projects with broader EIT RawMaterials objectives, including for the conversion of EIT HEI Initiative project partners to EIT RawMaterials KIC partners.
• Foster knowledge sharing, connections and long-term project sustainability through the promotion of events, networking and further opportunities within the EIT ecosystem and beyond.

REQUIREMENTS

The ideal candidate:

• Experience in business development, innovation management, and/or technology transfer, particularly in academic or research-driven environments
• Project management experience in international, multi-cultural settings
• Minimum master's-level degree preferably in areas related to innovation management, business management, intellectual property law, or related fields
• Knowledge of Intellectual Property management, licencing and commercialisation
• Attention to detail, ability to set priorities and complete tasks in a timely manner
• Confident command of IT tools such as Microsoft 365 (Word, Excel, Outlook, Teams), collaboration platforms like SharePoint, Miro and Notion, as well as CRM systems such as Salesforce or HubSpot
• Ability to work in a dynamic, fast-paced environment
• Is self-driven, able to work independently and make sound judgements
• Fluency in written and spoken English (C2-level)
• Experience in the Raw Materials sector is a plus

OTHER INFORMATION

• We offer you a challenging position in a small, agile and international team where everyone’s ideas are heard and valued. This is an opportunity to work on an exciting, growing pan-European project.
• You will be employed by the EIT RawMaterials. This is a full-time job with an opportunity to work remotely.
• We offer a competitive salary based on experience and qualifications.
• This position requires occasional - regular travel for in-person meetings, both internal team meetings and attending project consortia meetings (approx. 10 – 12 times a year).
• We encourage all kinds of diversity in our team.

The position will remain open for applications until a suitable candidate is selected. However, availability to start before 1 April 2025 is required for the position.