Director, Central and Eastern Europe (CEE)

Climate-KIC is the EU’s largest public private partnership addressing climate change through innovation to build a zero carbon economy.

We address climate change across four priority themes: urban transitions, sustainable land use, sustainable production systems, decision metrics and finance. Education is at the heart of these themes to inspire and empower the next generation of climate leaders.

We run programmes for students, start-ups and innovators across Europe via centres in major cities, convening a community of the best people and organisations.

Our approach starts with improving the way people live in cities. Our focus on industry creates the products required for a better living environment, and we look to optimise land use to produce the food people need. Climate-KIC is supported by the European Institute of Innovation and Technology (EIT), a body of the European Union.

Our mission is to bring together, inspire and empower a dynamic community in order to build a net-zero carbon economy and climate resilient society. By 2021 we aim to be:

• A global leader in climate and sustainable innovation, recognised for delivering impact
• The trusted partner for all innovation actors, supply-side, demand-side and enablers
• The centre of excellence with the very best people to inspire and support climate leaders and innovators
• The compelling choice for funders looking to support climate innovation

Climate-KIC is organised as a business, with its operations run by its Chief Executive Officer, who leads an Executive team comprising the CFO, Chief Operating Officer, the Thematic Directors, Directors of the Geographic Offices and Directors of Central functions. Additional information about our organisation can be obtained from the website www.climate-kic.org.

Purpose of the Role

The Director, Central and Eastern Europe, is accountable for building a strong climate innovation platform for leading academic, business and public organisations across the region in close alignment with the other European Climate-KIC entities. As part of our evolution to becoming financially self-sustainable, the Director will need to contribute actively to attract other sources of funding with possible local/regional relevance. Initially the role will involve co-designing the new “geography” with a working group and in close collaboration with the Executive Board (CEO, CFO and COO).

Key Responsibilities

•  Establish, develop and position the Central and Eastern European Geography locally and within Climate-KIC, including the recruitment and management of the local team
• Develop the regional innovation ecosystem by strengthening the network, attracting new partners in priority areas, engaging current partners, fostering concrete collaborations in line with our pan-European strategy
• Develop and manage the governance structure and the facilitation/alignment of local partner interests within Climate-KIC
• Strategy planning, coordination, and overall management of CEE Climate-KIC activities across the region
• As a member of Climate-KIC’s Executive Team, contribute to the development of the annual Business Plan, Grant Application and Reporting and other centrally driven activities
• Take responsibility for executing the Business Plan, budget and performance management for the legal entity
• Ensure effective collaboration with Climate-KIC’s other business entities (geographies, themes and central functions)
• Provide strategic, operational, legal and financial advice to partners, ensuring timely delivery and quality assurance of partner contributions to financial performance reporting etc.
• Secure access to European, national and regional public and private funding
• Manage network building, communications and partner portfolio management across the region including strategic recruitment of suitable new partners from academia, industry, public authorities and other relevant segments.
• On behalf of the Executive Team, conduct or takes part in specific missions/tasks/representations delegated by CEO

Key Working Relationships

• CEO
• CFO
• COO
• Theme and Geography Directors
• Director of European Relationships
• Head of Business Development
• Director, Marketing & Communications
• Climate-KIC partners, strategic partners

Person Specification

An interest in climate change or environmental issues is essential as is strong regional knowledge and experience. S/he will need to demonstrate a good understanding of the unique characteristics and needs of the region and work with us in co-designing and implementing a regional presence that recognises the diversity of the region and the varying levels of engagement in European initiatives. Experience working in complex multi-cultural, matrix environments is also highly desirable. A high level of independence and diplomacy with the ability to prioritise whilst working across different teams is essential.

Key experience

• Relevant and extensive management experience (10 years +) including personnel, budgeting and financial administration and project management experience from major academic and/or industrial undertakings. Experience from both private and public sector considered an advantage;
• Administrative experience from EU innovation, education and/or entrepreneurship projects, preferably with integration of the “knowledge triangle”;
• Good understanding of European and CEE climate and environmental policies;
• Management experience from innovation projects including public private partnerships;
• Experience and ability to work with an international team and in a multidisciplinary context;
• Experience and proven success of management skills in complex governance structures;
• Strong personal network with contacts ideally from across the “knowledge triangle”
• Fluency in English combined with excellent written and verbal communication skills; knowledge of at least one CEE language is highly desirable;

Qualities

• Entrepreneurial and committed to the mission;
• Innovative thinking and the confidence to encourage creativity in others;
• Excellent influencing and negotiating skills, and the ability to develop effective long-term relationships with internal and external stakeholders;
• Articulate and dynamic with highly developed interpersonal and communication skills;
• Lives the Climate-KIC Values which are: Dynamic, Passionate, Engaging, Open, Inspiring, Excellent and Empowering.

Application Process

Climate-KIC values diversity and welcomes applications from all suitably qualified candidates regardless of age, gender, race, disability, sexual orientation, religion or ethnic background.

Your application should consist of a full curriculum vitae and a covering letter describing briefly how your profile, skills and experience meet the criteria outlined in the person specification, and outlining your interest in and vision for the role.

Please send your full application to recruitment@climate-kic.org.