Director of European Positioning and Public Funding

• University degree. Postgraduate training related to science, engineering, innovation, R&D&i management, European policies, economics, or related fields will be valued.
• At least 10 years of professional experience in R&D&i positioning, competitive public funding, European programs, or related functions, acquired in research centers, universities, specialized consultancy, agencies, European institutions, technological platforms, or knowledge-intensive organizations.
• Deep knowledge of the European R&D&i ecosystem and its main funding programs and instruments.
• Relevant experience in the preparation, coordination, evaluation, strategic management, or positioning of highly competitive European proposals.
• Demonstrated ability to interpret European policy priorities and programs and convert them into strategic opportunities and decisions.
• Experience leading teams, cross-functional roles, or complex projects with multiple stakeholders.
• Ability to work and influence effectively with senior scientific profiles, technical teams, management, institutions, and international partners.
• Strategic vision, capacity for anticipation, and judgment to prioritize opportunities.
• High level of English, both oral and written.
• Availability to travel periodically, especially to Brussels and other relevant European environments.

• Professional experience in Brussels, European institutions, NCPs, European offices, associations, technological platforms, or entities with a strong link to European R&D&i policies.
• Experience with instruments such as Horizon Europe, ERC, EIC, MSCA, partnerships, missions, Innovation Fund, or other European competitive funding programs.
• Experience in designing ERC approaches, supporting scientific excellence applications, or evaluating European proposals.
• Knowledge of the Basque, national, and European science, technology, and innovation ecosystem.
• Knowledge of areas related to energy, advanced materials, digitalization, artificial intelligence, industry, sustainability, or decarbonization.

CIC energiGUNE is looking to recruit a Director of European Positioning and Public Funding, who will be part of the center's Steering Committee and report to the General Management.

The selected person will lead the European positioning and competitive public funding of CIC energiGUNE, anticipating the evolution of R&D&i policies and programs, reinforcing the center's presence in high-value initiatives, and increasing our capacity to compete in European, national, and regional programs.

We are looking for a senior profile with the ability to interpret the evolution of the European R&D&i ecosystem and convert it into concrete opportunities for the center, connecting our scientific and technological capabilities with new priorities, programs, and consortia. The position will have an especially relevant role in preparing CIC energiGUNE for FP10 and in driving scientific excellence programs such as ERC.

• Lead the European positioning and competitive public funding strategy of CIC energiGUNE, defining a roadmap aligned with the scientific, technological, and institutional strategy of the center.
• Anticipate the evolution of European R&D&i policies, priorities, and programs, especially with a view toward FP10, and identify strategic opportunities at the European, national, and regional levels.
• Work with scientific and innovation directorates, area directors, principal investigators, and business development teams to connect the differential capabilities of CIC energiGUNE with priorities and opportunities.
• Reinforce the center's positioning beyond calls specifically linked to energy storage, identifying opportunities in areas where our capabilities can act as enabling technologies.
• Design and drive a specific approach to increase the center's competitiveness in scientific excellence programs, especially ERC and other Pillar I instruments.
• Lead the prioritization of opportunities and go/no-go processes, ensuring early and selective preparation of the highest strategic value proposals.
• Drive the quality of proposals and the construction of competitive consortia, promoting review and learning processes that allow for the continuous improvement of the success rate.
• Represent CIC energiGUNE and build strategic relationships with European institutions, agencies, NCPs, CDTI, universities, research centers, and other key partners.
• Lead the public funding team and coordinate its activity with the scientific and corporate areas of the center.
• As a member of the Steering Committee, provide strategic vision regarding European positioning, competitive funding, and the portfolio of opportunities and risks.