Lead Competence Center Data & Analytics

In our new organizational model, we recognize the pivotal role of data, AI (Artificial Intelligence), and analytics. To achieve our ambitions, we established the Competence Center Data & Analytics and are introducing the role of ‘Lead Competence Center Data & Analytics'.

The Lead manages a growing team of data and analytics professionals, and reports to the Director Digital & Data. Thematic leadership is taken up jointly by the Lead and senior researchers in the Competence Center.

The Competence Center provides support, vision, and leadership within VITO on the topics of data, data governance, analytics, and AI, is responsible for related policies and guidelines, runs community and capacity building activities, and actively contributes to projects across all VITO research themes. Our Competence Centre collaborates closely with a Software and Operations team and with the Informatics Department, jointly shaping Digital and Data at VITO.

We are now seeking a Competence Centre Lead to lead and drive the success. In this role, you will:

• Manage an expanding team of currently approx. 12-15 data and analytics professionals.
• Coach, guide, and inspire team members, foster a good working atmosphere.
• Ensure a balanced team composition to meet strategic goals.
• Prepare and follow up the (annual) team budget.
• Monitor the portfolio of projects in the team: objectives, progress, and financials.
• Contribute to internal and external networking and team representation, and business and relationship development.
• Work closely with PMs, business developers, valorisation and research directors in Data & Digital to oversee, draw and monitor joint plans and roadmaps.
• Work together – in a distributed leadership model – with senior researchers in the team to further develop the VITO data and analytics strategy.

• You have a master’s degree in a relevant field, and a good affinity with data and analytics and the technical context of this domain.
• You are a true people manager with experience in growing teams.
• You have managerial competences and experience, including people, project, and financial aspects.
• You enjoy working in a team, with colleagues within and outside your team.
• You can translate strategic plans into operational actions.
• You are a strong communicator and able to sell your team’s work.
• You are flexible and can easily adapt to changing situations.
• You speak English and Dutch fluently.