Interim: (Senior) Partnership Manager – Strategic Defence Technology

Driving imec’s strategic position in the European Defence ecosystem 

Why now

Europe and likeminded countries face an unprecedented urgency to strengthen technological sovereignty. Defence ministries and industry partners are accelerating investments in the semiconductors value chain, secure communication, sensing, and AI-enabled systems — domains where imec’s semiconductor leadership is increasingly mission-critical. With the Netherlands scaling its Defence innovation agenda and Europe building new collaborative frameworks, imec is expanding its strategic presence to ensure that breakthrough chip technologies directly contribute to long-term defence capability development. 

About imec

Imec is the world’s leading independent nanoelectronics R&D hub. Through world-class talent, advanced infrastructure, and a global partner network, we enable semiconductor innovations that are smaller, faster, more sustainable, and more secure. Beyond chip R&D, we combine nanotechnology expertise with data and AI capabilities to accelerate applications across industry and society. imec’s core facilities are located in Leuven, Belgium, with strong R&D footprints in Eindhoven, Wageningen, Nijmegen, Ghent and additional global locations including the US. 

Role & Strategic Mandate

To strengthen imec NL’s positioning in the NL Defence sector, we are seeking an interim (Senior) Partnership Manager with Defence experience for a period of 6 to 9 months. This role will shape strategic entry by imec in this sector in the Netherlands, build the right (industry) partnerships, and convert high-value Defence opportunities into impactful, technology programs. 

You will act as a trusted counterpart to selected industry partners and defence organisations. Your mandate spans strategic positioning, opportunity development, and project definition — ensuring that imec’s semiconductor and deep-tech capabilities translate into Defence-relevant solutions for both near-term and long-term needs. 

This consultancy assignment reports to the Business Line Director of the sector Aerospace & Security and the Regional Managing Director imec NL. 

Core Responsibilities 

Strategic Positioning 

• Position imec in the Netherlands as a key semiconductor and deep-tech partner for leading Defence industrial organisations in NL (e.g.,Thales, NEDAERO/Patria, Rheinmetall, Airbus, etc.). 

Stakeholder & Ecosystem Management 

• Manage high-level relationships with Defence (industry) stakeholders.
• Coordinate internal imec expertise centers and external technology partners. 

Opportunity & Lead Generation 

•  Proactively generate the first strategic leads in NL that convert into paid Defence partnerships and funded innovation programs. 

Project Definition & Delivery 

•  Shape, scope, and structure complex multi-partner projects — including timelines, budgets, and stakeholder alignment. 

Key Requirements 

Experience & Education 

• MSc or PhD in Engineering or equivalent; strong coordination, program, or systems-engineering orientation. 
• 5+ years of program or project management in international or cross-functional environments. 
• Demonstrated experience running complex, multi-partner projects. 
• EU27 nationality and able to undergo Defence-related security screening. 

Defence & Technology Expertise 

• Minimum 3–5 years of Defence-domain experience (Ministry of Defence, Defence industry, integrators, or reservist background). 
• Established Defence network with the ability to open doors across stakeholders and decision-makers (DMU). 
• Familiarity with semiconductor technology and Defence applications (preferred).
• Experience with major innovation/funding programs is an asset. 

Core Competencies 

• Strategic, proactive, and hands-on; strong systems thinking.
• Excellent stakeholder influence skills across multi-level Defence environments.
• Ability to balance a helicopter perspective while engaging deep into technical subdomains.
• Strong critical-thinking, problem-solving, and organizational capabilities.
• Fluent in Dutch and English (French/German are a plus). 

This role based in the Netherlands with frequent travel to imec HQ in Leuven. 

Interested

Please submit your resume and a brief motivation letter outlining relevant experience. 
For more information, contact Frank Wolfs, Talent Acquisition Lead via frank.wolfs.ext@imec.nl | +31 6 5083 7563