Managing Director of EIT Manufacturing - IC South

Managing Director of EIT Manufacturing - IC South

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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.

EIT Manufacturing now invites applications for the position of Managing Director of EIT Manufacturing – IC South . Full-time position at EIT Manufacturing South (Milan).

About the position

The Managing Director is responsible for leading and overseeing the Southern regional legal entity of EIT Manufacturing, serving as the primary representative of the local ecosystem and managing day-to-day operations. The Southern region includes Albania, Bosnia & Herzegovina, Bulgaria, Cyprus, Georgia, Greece, Israel, Italy, Kosovo, Malta, Montenegro, Moldova, North Macedonia, Romania, Switzerland, and Türkiye. The Managing Director reports to the CEO of EIT Manufacturing and is a member of EIT Manufacturing Management Team (MT).

Key Accountabilities

• Full accountability for the regional legal entity (EIT Manufacturing South SRL) acting as the high-level representative of the South region within EIT Manufacturing ASBL.
• Managing team, totalling 30+ professionals, ensuring sound financial management, and overseeing administrative, legal, and reporting obligations.
• Developing a strategic vision for the South region, aligned with EIT Manufacturing’s Strategic Agenda, to address the needs of the regional manufacturing industry and ecosystems.
• Strengthening and expanding the regional ecosystem by nurturing and growing the partnership in the region and establishing strategic collaborations with key stakeholders.
• Facilitating cooperation among regional partners, supporting the implementation of innovation, education, and training initiatives in line with EIT Manufacturing’s multi-annual Business Plan.
• Identifying and engaging relevant startups and scaleups within the region, integrating them into EIT Manufacturing’s innovation pipeline to attract public and private investment.
• Developing business strategies to expend the partnerships and deliver services to support their innovation journey and needs.
• Support start-ups or SMEs part of the EIT Manufacturing funded activities to succeed through their technology commercialisation and beyond.
• Roll-out EIT-Manufacturing Academy and other education programs in the region through strategic local delivery partnership identification to monetise upskilling and reskilling activities.
• Securing additional funding beyond EIT grants at the European, national, and regional levels to maximise EIT Manufacturing’s impact.
• Leading communication and dissemination efforts in the region, enhancing EIT Manufacturing’s brand visibility.
• Coordinating and collaborating closely with EIT Manufacturing ASBL (Paris) and other regional offices across Europe to develop joint initiatives and optimise the organisation’s overall pan-European impact.

Qualifications and experience

• A master’s degree or higher in a relevant field such as business, engineering, or science, or equivalent professional experience.
• Extensive experience in the manufacturing industry, with a strong background in business management and innovation, including at least five years in leadership roles managing business units or large teams.
• At least five years of relevant experience in retaining and expanding a customer base in selling and delivering commercial services, with strong business development and customer at heart mindset.
• Experience working with startups, scaleups, and/or innovative SMEs.
• Knowledge of European funding programmes and the EIT/KICs landscape is advantageous but not essential.

Skills and expertise

• Proven experience in developing and implementing innovation and business strategies in the manufacturing sector, working with universities, research institutes, and industry.
• Expertise in innovation and advanced manufacturing technologies.
• Experience working across multiple industrial sectors is a plus.
• Strong leadership skills with the ability to manage and develop professional teams.
• A track record of business growth and development.
• Proven experience in customer service management
• Experience in budget planning and financial management.
• Ability to collaborate effectively with a diverse range of multinational stakeholders.
• A well-established network within the local manufacturing sector.
• Strong leadership and communication abilities, with the capacity to engage at a strategic level with national and European partners.
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills.
• Fluency in Italian and English is required; proficiency in Greek is highly advantageous, knowledge of additional European languages is beneficial.

Desirable Experience

• Experience managing finance, HR, and legal matters
• Strong background in strategic planning and execution
• Experience in international collaboration and working in network-based international teams

We offer

• A full-time, unlimited duration employment contract under Italian labour law.
• Flexible hybrid working environment
• Diverse team with colleagues from all over the world
• Strong network across manufacturing, academia, and startups in Europe.
• Opportunities for career growth and continuous learning.
• Meaningful work with a focus on sustainable innovation.

Location

The role is based in Milan, Italy, with regular travel to the branch office in Athens, 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 considering their interests having been prejudiced by a decision in a selection process may request a review of, or launch an appeal against, the decision adversely affecting them.

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

Closing date is November 21st, 2025

Participate in this exciting journey and send us your application now!