EU Project Developer and Proposal Manager

For our Grant Office, we are looking for an EU project developer and proposal manager with a good knowledge of the Horizon Europe Programme and networking skills.

ICONS is the third-largest organisation in Lombardy for funding received from Horizon Europe, the European Research and Innovation framework programme. We play a strategic role in science communication, business and social innovation with an impact-oriented and integrated approach. In our dynamic and inclusive working environment, with a strong teamwork culture, motivated, self-driven and committed candidates will find the opportunity to challenge, improve and upscale their professional skills.

You will be in charge of coordinating ICONS participation in new R&I proposals, contributing to the development of new project ideas, supporting coordinators and partnerships during the preparation of the application until its submission, finding and building partnerships. You will work in multiple research domains, such as energy, smart cities, circular economy, bioeconomy, climate, mobility, health and society.

RESPONSIBILITIES

You will be accountable for:

• Managing multiple new EU R&I proposals working in collaboration with the involved consortium partners, brainstorming on new ideas, involving internal experts as needed;
• Contributing to the proposal writing, coordinating inputs from partners and ICONS’ experts, ensuring timely delivery of quality contributions, , working with deadlines, representing ICONS at consortium and client meetings;
• Acting as the main contact point with the coordinator and the consortium partners, or the client for service contracts, and with the internal team of experts during the pre-award and post-award phase until the official project starts;
• Monitoring and analyzing R&I calls for proposals issued by Horizon Europe and other EU funding programmes, including EU tenders, scouting for collaboration opportunities;
• Building and maintaining professional relationships with organizations and key players in the EU R&I ecosystem, developing new connections to expand the ICONS’s network.

SKILLS

For this position we look for dynamic, self-confident people with a collaborative approach,

who enjoy working in international and multi-cultural teams. We expect:

• Excellent networking skills, effective communication and active listening, proactive attitude to develop new professional relationships and partnerships;
• Strong teamwork and coordination skills, especially in collaborative, multi-partner settings
• High flexibility and problem-solving attitude, including effective negotiation skills;
• Ability to balance workload across multiple tasks and assignments, working under tight deadlines when needed;
• Ability to make effective work plans, set goals and priorities, monitor work flows, assign team roles and responsibilities, , deliver high-quality inputs;
• Define marketing and commercial objectives and paths to achieve them:
• Availability and willingness to travel abroad for project meetings and networking events;
• Ability to write insightful reports ,communication and presentation skills (both oral and written) in Italian and English (C2 level or equivalent);
• Excellent writing skills.

BACKGROUND AND EXPERIENCE

• Master’s degree in Political Science/European, Innovation and Sustainability studies, or equivalent;
• At least 3-year experience in EU project development, proposal management and writing in organizations or companies managing EU funds, or European networks or Agencies;
• Good knowledge of Horizon Europe and other R&I funding programmes;
• Proven experience in seeking collaboration opportunities, managing and cultivating a large network of contacts at European/international level;
• Knowledge of Microsoft Teams and of Microsoft Office (Excel, PowerPoint, Word). Use of CRM (Salesforce) and project management tools will be a plus.
• Working experience in at least one of ICONS’ core business areas: science communication (outreach and dissemination), Business Innovation (valorization of research results, monitoring innovation, exploitation strategies, business plans), Social Innovation (stakeholder engagement, definition of social KPIs and monitoring, social impact assessment) will be considered a plus.

WORKING LOCATION

Lodi (Italy) and remote

CONTRACT

We are looking for a free-lance part-time consultant willing to collaborate with ICONS on a long-term basis. ICONS will consider candidates with experience in business and research organisations as well as contractors. The offered salary will depend on qualifications and work experience.

START DATE

September 2025