Programme and Innovation Manager

EIT Innovation Communities are designed as pan-European partnerships that bring together business, research centers and universities with the aim to tackle global challenges Europe faces, e.g. in Climate, Raw Materials, Urban Mobility or Manufacturing. For more please visit . The European Institute of Innovation and Technology (EIT) launched 2023 the building of the Innovation Community for the Cultural and Creative Sectors and Industries (CCSI), called EIT Culture & Creativity.

EIT Culture & Creativity’s mission is to support growth, jobs and competitiveness in CCSI to compete on global markets through providing interventions to CCSI and sector-specific challenges in education, innovation and business creation and foster interdisciplinary and cross-sector collaboration. In this way, EIT Culture and Creativity unlocks the innovative potential of its fragmented ecosystem, contributing to Europe's triple transition and building a new understanding of competitive entrepreneurship. We will focus on the following priority areas, each having its unique challenges and a need for intervention while representing a significant share of the EU CCSI workforce and revenue: Architecture, Audiovisual, Cultural Heritage, Gaming and Fashion.

To represent the diversity of the CCSI stakeholders, from profit to non-for-profit organisations, EIT Culture & Creativity set up a two-strand governance under German law: A nonprofit association (EIT CCSI e.V.) and a Limited Company (EIT Culture & Creativity GmbH), both legally registered in Cologne.

EIT Culture & Creativity GmbH is funded in the first years by grants of the EIT, while the EIT CCSI e.V. receives membership fees from its partners to provide, under German law tax exempt, services for the CCSI ecosystem. EIT Culture & Creativity aims to become financially sustainable and independent from public grants or membership fees over the course of 15 years. Starting from 2025, EIT Culture & Creativity will execute an investment portfolio approach holding equity in the start-ups and scale-ups that join its various Business Creation and Innovation programmes. In the long term, EIT Culture and Creativity aims to be financially sustainable by the returns from these investments and equity, effectively acting as an impact investor.

EIT Culture & Creativity now invites applications for the position of:

PROGRAMME AND INNOVATION MANAGER

ABOUT THE POSITION

EIT Culture & Creativity is actively seeking a highly skilled and dynamic Programme and Innovation Manager. This role is pivotal to the success of our initiatives and programmes, particularly in managing and advancing projects funded by the Innovation Department Calls and related activities.

The selected candidate will oversee EIT Culture & Creativity Innovation funded projects, engage with Calls development and strategic work, and ensure an effective alignment of funded projects to the EIT Culture & Creativity Strategic Agenda, Business Plan, as well as contributing to the development of new calls for proposals. The Programme and Innovation Manager will report to the Director of Innovation and will collaborate with various EIT Culture & Creativity teams and stakeholders.

ABOUT THE TASK & MISSION

As Programme and Innovation Manager your Tasks include:

Reporting and administration of projects funded under the Innovation Calls

Communicate regularly with the consortia of the supported projects

Manage, launch, promote, and monitor Innovation Calls for proposals and direct awards, ensuring adherence to guidelines and standards

Develop and oversee evaluation methods and documentation for proposals

Day-to-day responsibilities for project monitoring and management

Evaluation & Quality Assurance

Coordinate and facilitate, in collaboration with PMO, evaluation panels, ensuring external evaluators adhere to evaluation processes and criteria

Propose improvements in workplans to foster better results and impact

Contribute to the elaboration of all the projects' related documents (performance and cost reports, workplan and budget amendments, KPIs etc)

Maintain and enhance quality assurance processes

Monitor the administrative, legal, and financial implementation of EIT Culture & Creativity's Innovation activities

Detect deviations and collaborate with beneficiaries and partners to mitigate risks and identify corrective actions

Analyse data and manage information to support portfolio management and stakeholder communication

Prepare detailed reports, statistics, and insights on annual activity results

THE REQUIREMENTS

To be successful in your role, you must have:

Education : Master’s degree or equivalent in Finance, Economics, Business Administration, Innovation Management, European Affairs, or a related field. A degree or specialisation in finance, venture capital, or investment analysis is considered a strong asset.

Experience : Several years of professional experience in programme or project management within European innovation funding ecosystems, with demonstrated exposure to instruments such as the EIC Accelerator, Horizon Europe (IA), or similar EU funding programmes. Experience supporting high-growth startups or scaleups in accessing EU funding or investment is highly desirable.

Innovation Funding & Investment Knowledge : Strong understanding of the European innovation funding landscape, blended finance mechanisms, and investment readiness processes. Familiarity with venture due diligence processes, startup valuation methods, financial modelling, and assessment of investment cases for innovative SMEs.

Technical & Analytical Skills : Advanced proficiency in Excel/spreadsheets and other data analysis or project management tools. Ability to assess business models, financial projections, and investment cases in the context of EU innovation programmes and startup acceleration initiatives.

Communication Skills : Excellent written and verbal communication skills in English, with the ability to communicate complex funding, innovation, and investment concepts clearly to diverse stakeholders. Knowledge of additional European languages is an asset.

Interpersonal Skills : Proven ability to work with startups, investors, innovation partners, and institutional stakeholders. Experience managing relationships with entrepreneurial teams and supporting them through funding and scaling processes.

Organisational Skills : Strong ability to manage multiple initiatives, calls, and stakeholder processes simultaneously, ensuring timely execution and delivery within EU-funded programme environments.

Commitment to EIT Culture & Creativity : Motivation to contribute to strengthening innovation and investment capacity within Europe’s cultural and creative sectors and industries.

WE OFFER

• A competitive salaryof 65,000EURper year, plus performance bonus and benefits.
• Participation in building a company with ambition to contribute to the future of Europe.
• Fast and flat processes, straight internal communication, low hierarchies, and freedom to operate.
• An organisation with a dynamic and friendly team with modern and well-located office facilities and the flexibility to work remotely.

LOCATION

This role is primarily remote, offering flexibility while also providing regular opportunities for in-person collaboration. Occasional travel is expected. Candidates should be based in, or open to relocating to, Italy or Spain.

By the closing date of this call candidates must have a working permit valid to work in the country of employment.

PREFERRED STARTING DATE

The start date is flexible and will be determined by mutual agreement.

REPORTING

The Programme and Innovation Manager will report to the Director of Innovation of EIT Culture & Creativity.

DIVERSITY & INCLUSION

EIT Culture & Creativity aspires to be an equitable and inclusive community. We nurture an open culture, where everyone is supported to fulfil their potential. We see inclusivity of talent as the basis of our success, and the diversity of perspectives and people as a highly valued outcome. EIT Culture & Creativity provides equal opportunities to all employees and applicants regardless of gender identity or expression, sexual orientation, religion, ethnicity, age, neurodiversity, functional impairment, citizenship, or any other aspect which makes them unique. We look forward to welcoming you to our community.

SELECTION PROCESS

A Selection Committee of experts will be appointed to carry out the evaluation of applications submitted. Please note that the Selection Committee´s internal proceedings are strictly confidential for avoiding conflicts of interest. Shortlisted candidates are invited to virtual interviews in the first rounds and to a personal interview in the final round at EIT Culture & Creativity GmbH with the Selection Committee. Candidates may be asked to provide proof of qualifications, background, skills, and experience by providing relevant documents. Candidates can be also invited for interviews on other now or formerly open job vacancies of the EIT Culture & Creativity.

PRIVACY NOTE

Data protection is secured according to the European General Data Protection Regulation GDPR (Directive 95/46/EC). The applications will be stored by EIT Culture & Creativity in charge of this hiring service and will only be shared with individuals involved in the selection process.

APPLICATION PROCESS AND ADDITIONAL INFORMATION

A complete application should consist of:

• A motivation letter describing briefly how you meet the criteria outlined and your vision for the role (no longer than 2 DIN-A4 pages).

Please apply here by clicking on the position title:

Important : The application should be written in English. Only complete applications will be evaluated (full curriculum vitae and motivation letter, in two separate files).

The job vacancy will be open until19 April 2026 (18:00 CET).

Take the lead in this exciting journey – send your application now!

DISCLAIMER

The document dated 19 March 2026 might be subject to change; all changes will be made visible in future versions.