Business Development Manager ELEC

VITO, one of Europe's leading research centres with 1,300 employees, turns scientific insights into groundbreaking technological innovations, AI based solutions, and policy advice. We do so with a single objective: to help the world thrive for at least a 1,000 more years.

As a science-to-technology partner, we support companies, governments, and society in their sustainability transition. With our multidisciplinary approach and unique lab, scale-up, and testing infrastructure, we create practical technological innovations. We accelerate progress towards a regenerative economy within the planetary boundaries (prioritising electrification and circularity), smart climate solutions for resilient and secure ecosystems, and a healthy living environment harmonising humans, industry, agriculture, and nature.

Our staff collaborate in multidisciplinary expert teams across more than 40 research domains, utilising our unique laboratory and data infrastructure, as well as our extensive network of innovation partners. Through positive transition thinking and comprehensive techno-economic analysis, we develop solutions that are effective not only on paper but also in the complex realities of everyday life.

To support and strengthen our growth, we are looking for a

Business Development Manager

ELEC

Join VITO in the electrification of our industry and moving away from using fossil fuels.

VITO’s Electrochemical Excellence Center commits itself in exploring and developing ‘solutions of electrification’ for the industry and energy sector, in their pursuit of greening their activities.

A team of 40 researchers, engineers and lab technicians are working on electrochemical components, processes and system integrations, in the field of green H2 production, CO2 conversion, Power-to-Molecules and Electrosynthesis.

The Electrochemical Excellence Center’s R&D portfolio is of relevance for broad range of industrial stakeholders: (co-)development of novel electrodes, separators and assemblies for technology suppliers and component providers, next to lab- to pilot scale development of electrochemical processes, for industrial end users. At the same time, VITO collaborates with industrial partners to bring lab-scale research to pilot and industrial levels.

As a member of the Business Development Team, you report directly to the Valorisation Director of the unit. You will play a key role in translating scientific expertise into scalable, industrial solutions. You’ll work at the interface of technology and market, building partnerships across sectors such as energy, chemical, cement, and manufacturing sectors, as well as with policy makers and funding bodies.

You will support the team by:

• Familiarizing yourself with the key technologies, competences and intellectual property within the team as well as the current application areas and related products and services.

• Following-up contacts and contracts with existing industrial partners together with the Lead Scientists and the team Program Manager to qprepare follow-up contracts to bring the technology to a higher technology readiness level and finally to the market.

• Registering interactions with (potential) clients in the customer relationship management system and pro-actively monitoring of selected key accounts.

• Actively participating in external and internal networking activities to scout for new contract research opportunities in existing or new application areas.

• Taking the lead in the team valorisation strategy, defining, executing, and evaluating a valorisation roadmap and commercial action plans.

• Initiating and supporting targeted marketing activities for specific products or services together with the Lead Scientists and the central Marketing and Communications team.

• Supporting R&D proposal preparation together with Lead Scientists and negotiating R&D contracts.

• Providing support in technology transfer and/or licensing negotiations in close collaboration with the central IP Management and Tech Transfer Office.

• Regular reporting of the status of the contract research portfolio and valorisation tracks to the team and the Valorisation Director.

Requirements

• You hold a master’s or PhD degree in Chemical or Materials Science or Engineering.

• You have experience in a commercial, business development or valorisation role for R&D or innovation.

• You are familiar with protection and valorisation of intellectual property.

• You can analyze market and technology trends and customers’ needs and translate these into innovative solutions for services and/or products.

• You are a strategic thinker, skilled in customer relationship and key account management.

• You can translate strategies into goals and concrete actions, proposals and plans.

• You enjoy working with colleagues from different fields and can adapt your style of interaction and way of working to the situation at hand.

• You have excellent communication and networking skills and are a promoter for internal and external collaborations.

• You are fully proficient in English. Proficiency in Dutch is a plus.

What can we offer you?

• You will be part of a growing research organization with a strong international reputation, known for its cutting-edge technological research and scientific based advice.

• You will contribute personally to sustainable developments at the local, national and global level through breakthrough innovative applications. In this way, you help to provide answers to contemporary important societal challenges.

• A competitive salary supplemented with various extra-legal benefits including allowances, insurances and a modular holiday package.

• Innovation is our most important asset, so it goes without saying that we give our employees the opportunity to learn and further develop themselves.

• We work ‘activity-based’ within VITO. Your activities determine your work location, with your home office as a possible work location (e.g. 1 day a week). Work location in case of physical presence is mainly in Mol and only occasionally in our other offices.

• We highly value a good work-life balance and are open to supporting your specific needs in this regard.