Strategic Development Manager

About imec.invest

The mission of the imec,invest team is to coach, support and accelerate disruptive innovation across various business sectors in alignment with imec’s strategic priorities and objectives. This role offers the chance to take initiative, work flexibly in an international environment, and engage in continuous learning and development. 

What you will do

• You drive the success of imec’s internal innovation portfolio by taking ownership of innovation projects from early ideation to successful valorization, following a transparent, stage-gated process.  
• You are part of the team managing the decision-making process for innovation projects by ensuring transparent governance, alignment with stakeholders, effective organization of decision meetings and clear communication of decisions.  
• You work closely with stakeholders across all innovation projects to manage bottom-up and top-down innovation projects, monitor progress, diligently follow-up on critical milestones, organize regular reporting to key stakeholders and resolve or escalate issues related to technical, business or operational challenges.  
• You proactively build and manage strong relationships with cross-functional business and technical teams. 
• You inspire the imec community to generate ideas for entry into the innovation funnel and you recognize innovative ideas with disruptive potential.  
• You create opportunities for ideation and coach R&D projects through an assessment process, fostering a win-win across imec teams. 
• You communicate effectively and build strong relationships with the R&D community, technical teams, business teams, and scientific leadership to generate support for innovative research projects across the organization.  
• You stay up to date on innovation management strategies and tools by participating in relevant conferences and constructively challenging existing practices to continuously enhance imec’s innovation process.  

What we do for you

We offer you the opportunity to join one of the world’s premier research centers in nanotechnology at its headquarters in Leuven, Belgium. With your talent, passion and expertise, you’ll become part of a team that makes the impossible possible. Together, we shape the technology that will determine the society of tomorrow.

We are committed to being an inclusive employer and proud of our open, multicultural, and informal working environment with ample possibilities to take initiative and show responsibility. We commit to supporting and guiding you in this process; not only with words but also with tangible actions. Through imec.academy, 'our corporate university', we actively invest in your development to further your technical and personal growth. 

We are aware that your valuable contribution makes imec a top player in its field. Your energy and commitment are therefore appreciated by means of a market appropriate salary with many fringe benefits. 

Who you are

• You hold a scientific degree (PhD or Master’s) with 10-15 years of broad experience in deep-tech innovation in application domains such as Advanced Hardware & Sensing; AI, Computing & Intelligent Systems; Life Sciences, MedTech & Neurotech.  
• Experience in the semiconductor industry, start-ups or managing venture capital are strong advantages.  
• You are a technology enthusiast with an entrepreneurial mindset, driven by passion for technology that creates impact.   
• You demonstrate a high level of initiative and ownership, work independently and perform effectively under pressure. 
• You can manage multiple diverse technical topics within and outside your area(s) of expertise and diligently maintain project follow-up and reporting.  
• You have a proven track record in successfully managing complex programs.  
• You show a strong interest in innovation management or are eager to further develop your expertise in this area.    
• You have excellent English communication skills, enabling you to report at the executive level and build strong relationships with internal and external stakeholders. 

IMEC and its affiliates will not accept unsolicited resumes from any source other than directly from a candidate. IMEC will consider unsolicited referrals and/or resumes submitted by vendors such as search firms, staffing agencies, professional recruiters, fee-based referral services and recruiting agencies (hereafter “Agency”) to have been referred by the Agency free of charge. IMEC will not pay a fee to any Agency that does not have a prior written agreement with IMEC, validated by its HR department, in place regarding a specific job opening and allowing to submit resumes.