Director of Corporate Affairs - EIT Manufacturing ASBL

About EIT Manufacturing:

EIT Manufacturing is an initiative of the European Institute of Innovation and Technology (EIT), a body of the European Union. To find out more, please visit

EIT Manufacturing is the leading pan-European community fostering innovation in manufacturing through a unique active ecosystem. With 200+ partners, EIT Manufacturing connects businesses, startups, academia and research institutions to make innovation happen.

Now invites applications for the position of

Director of Corporate Affairs - EIT Manufacturing ASBL

Full-time position at EIT Manufacturing ASBL located in either France, Belgium, Spain, Germany, Portugal, Greece or Italy.

About the Position

We are seeking an experienced and dynamic Director of Corporate Affairs to join our Management Team. This pivotal role is responsible for leading a multidisciplinary team covering EU Affairs, Strategic Initiatives focused on European-funded projects, regional activities, and cross-group projects. The Director will play a key role in advancing our mission to accelerate innovation in the manufacturing industry by driving strategic partnerships, influencing policy, and securing funding opportunities that align with our long-term goals.

The ideal candidate will have a strong background in public-private collaborations, European Affairs, policy advocacy, and strategic programme development, ensuring our organisation remains at the forefront of manufacturing innovation in Europe.

Key Accountabilities

EU Affairs & Policy Influence

• Manage the organisation’s engagement with European Union (EU) institutions, policies, and programmes.
• Build and maintain strategic relationships with key EU stakeholders, including the European Commission, European Parliament, and relevant EU agencies and associations.
• Develop and execute strategies to advance EIT Manufacturing’s priorities within the EU policy landscape.
• Represent the organisation in EU policy forums to influence decision-making aligned with strategic objectives.

European-Funded Projects & Strategic Initiatives

• Lead strategies for accessing and managing EU funding opportunities (e.g., Horizon Europe and other EU Frameworks Programs).
• Conceptualise and coordinate EIT Manufacturing’s involvement in EU strategic initiatives, acting as the primary coordinator where appropriate.
• Provide guidance, coordination, and oversight for EU projects managed by regional offices, ensuring strategic and financial alignment.

Corporate Communications & Stakeholder Engagement

• Oversee the Corporate Communications function, ensuring consistency and excellence across institutional, corporate, and business communications.
• Strengthen engagement with internal and external stakeholders to enhance visibility and reputation across EU and global networks.
• Facilitate collaboration and knowledge sharing across teams and projects to drive innovation and strategic alignment.

EIT Community and Regional Innovation Scheme engagement

• Coordinate with regional offices and central teams to enhance focus on Regional Innovation Scheme (RIS) countries.
• Oversee the activities of EIT Manufacturing in EIT Community projects, ensuring alignment and cross-fertilisation with the organisation’s goals and objectives.
• Serve as EIT Manufacturing’s lead contact for global outreach activities.

Leadership & Strategic Direction

• Develop and implement the Corporate Affairs and Strategic Initiatives strategy in alignment with the organisation’s mission and objectives.
• Provide strategic leadership to ensure the department’s activities support organisational goals and deliver measurable impact.
• Oversee departmental budget planning, financial control, and resource allocation.
• Monitor project performance and departmental outcomes against established KPIs, reporting progress to management and key stakeholders (incl. EIT).
• Promote a culture of accountability, learning, and continuous development across teams.

Qualifications

• A master’s degree in public policy, preferably in European policy, European affairs, engineering, business or a related field.
• Minimum 10 years of experience in corporate affairs, EU Projects, public affairs, or related roles within a public-private environment.
• Proven track record in EU policy engagement, securing European funding, and managing large-scale strategic projects.
• Strong knowledge of European institutions, funding mechanisms (EIT KICs, Horizon Europe, ERASMUS +, etc.), and policy frameworks relevant to manufacturing innovation.
• Experience working in or with public-private partnerships and managing multi-stakeholder initiatives.

Skills & Expertise

• Strategic Thinking: Ability to develop and implement high-impact strategies that align with organisational goals.
• Policy & Advocacy: Strong expertise in EU affairs, policy influence, and regulatory engagement.
• Project & Funding Management: Experience in securing and managing European-funded projects and initiatives.
• Stakeholder Management: Exceptional relationship-building skills with public and private sector stakeholders.
• Leadership & Team Development: Proven ability to lead, inspire, and develop a multidisciplinary team.
• Communication & Representation: Excellent verbal and written communication skills, with the ability to represent the organisation effectively at high-level engagements.

Desirable Experience

• Experience within the manufacturing industry, innovation ecosystems, or technology-driven sectors.
• Previous experience in a senior leadership role within a European-funded initiative or public-private collaboration.
• Established network within European institutions, industry associations, and funding bodies.
• Knowledge of regional innovation strategies and industry transformation trends.

This is an exciting opportunity for a strategic and influential leader to make a significant impact on the future of manufacturing innovation in Europe. If you are passionate about driving policy, funding, and strategic initiatives that foster industry transformation, we encourage you to apply.

What we offer

• A dynamic, scale-up environment with fast decision-making, open communication, minimal hierarchy, and significant autonomy.
• A collaborative and supportive team within a modern and well-located office.
• An English-speaking work environment.

Location

The role can be based in EIT House in Brussels, EIT Manufacturing HQ in Paris or remotely from any of the following countries: France, Belgium, Germany, Italy, Greece, Spain, or Portugal with regular travel to Brussels, EIT Manufacturing’s headquarters in Paris, as well as other regional offices, partners across EU countries, and key stakeholders.

Equal opportunities

EIT Manufacturing values diversity and applies policies of equal opportunities. We welcome applications without discrimination on any grounds. Candidates who believe their interests have been prejudiced by a decision in a selection process may request a review of, or launch an appeal against, the decision affecting them.

We strongly encourage applications from candidates with a recognised disability (RQTH). If you require any adjustments or accommodations during the recruitment process, please let us know confidentially.

Selection Committee

A Selection Committee will be appointed to carry out the evaluation of applications submitted. Please note that the Selection Committee´s internal proceedings are strictly confidential.

Shortlisted candidates may be invited for an interview. Candidates may be asked to provide proof of qualifications, background, skills, and experiences by providing relevant documents.

Protection of personal data

Candidates’ personal data are processed as required by Regulation (EU) 2016/679 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 27 April 2016 on the protection of natural persons with regard to the processing of personal data and on the free movement of such data and repealing Directive 95/46/EC (General Data Protection Regulation). For more information, please check the privacy statement on recruitment available Privacy Notice.

Closing date is November 21st, 2025

Please join us on this exciting journey. Send us your application now!