Manager - Company Performance Programmes LU/FR/EN (m/f)

Permanent contract, full-time, Ref.: CPPMAN

Are you interested in carrying out a mission at the national innovation agency to contribute to Luxembourg’s economic development through innovation? Are you willing to join a professional, multidisciplinary, dynamic and human-sized organisation undertaking a transformation programme to better serve companies and stakeholders and develop more impactful projects and initiatives? Are you analytical, forward-thinking and client-focused? Then this job opportunity is for you!

The recently created Innovation & Funding Support department (“IF&S”) department comprises five services:

• National Funding supporting companies that want to apply for national funding for their innovation and research projects.
• European Funding promoting European research, development and innovation (RDI) programmes, supporting companies and public research organisations in putting together funding applications and representing Luxembourg's interests in contacts with European authorities.
• Defence Activities supporting Luxembourg industry and research organisations in integrating the European defence value chain (EU/NATO) and developing solutions in response to agreed capability needs.
• Digital Transformation supporting manufacturing companies in their digital transformation journey.
• Company Performance Programmes offering tailored-made support to companies through performance programmes in order to address specific digital, sustainability or innovation challenges. The team also coordinates and manages Luxinnovation’s participation in the Enterprise Europe Network (EEN) alongside partner organisations, delivering assessment and matchmaking services for companies.

The Manager of the Company Performance Programmes service will report to the IFS Director. He/she will manage a small team offering a range of services, tools and programmes aimed at helping companies become more efficient. The “Fit 4” performance programmes managed by the team – Fit 4 Digital, Fit 4 Innovation and Fit 4 Sustainability – offer companies the opportunity to benefit from thematic and technical assessments carried out by independent experts who deliver roadmaps which the companies can implement in order to transform or improve their activities through innovation, digitalisation or the reduction of their carbon footprint.

In addition to ensuring a good coordination of the activities and the team, the Manager of the Company Performance Programmes will provide a significant contribution to Luxinnovation’s on-going Transformation Programme by:

• Contributing to the structuration and clarification of services offered by the team.
• Structuring team activities and organisation for more efficiency and impact.
• Suggesting improvements, as a key ambassador of the transformation process.

KEY-RESPONSIBILITIES

In close coordination with your director, implement Luxinnovation’s strategy within your scope of responsibility:

• Design and formulate annual objectives, action plans and projects.
• Monitor and evaluate the implementation of planned activities.
• Monitor key performance indicators related to the Company Performance Programmes service.
• Implement measures to assess and improve the effectiveness of our programmes.

Be responsible for structuring and organising the Company Performance programmes:

• Develop a complete overview of the past, current and planned actions carried out by the team with individual companies, avoiding redundancy of contacts with companies, implementing a thorough back-up system, and ensuring the integral documentation in the CRM system.
• Based on the findings of the companies' roadmaps de ensure a smooth handover to other services within the agency with a particular focus on National Funding, and, when relevant, to other partners in the ecosystem.
• Ensure an efficient selection and monitoring process of high-quality consultants who carry out assessments and develop roadmaps for companies under the performance programmes and keep an updated reference base
• When relevant, produce new or updated specifications to identify and select experts.
• Ensure company satisfaction with the actions undertaken by your team members and external consultants.
• Structure knowledge (observations, findings, identified gaps, best practices, etc.) collected during contact and support of companies and ensure knowledge sharing with the management and other teams of Luxinnovation.

Support the promotion of Luxinnovation services and raise awareness about the "Fit 4” performance programmes:

• Coordinate information and awareness campaigns to promote the “Fit 4” performance programmes through communication and events
• Contribute to presentations,  participate in fairs and exchange at workshops and in discussion groups on innovation themes (e.g. the “Innovation Club”, a forum for skilled crafts companies managed by Luxinnovation and the Chamber of Skilled Crafts).

Initiate support and support companies in their efforts

• Detect, during meetings with companies, ideas, developments or projects that could benefit from support from Luxinnovation and, in particular, from the “Fit 4” performance programmes.
• Advise companies and support them in putting together their “Fit4” aid applications, checking the eligibility of their businesses and their projects.
• Coordinate discussions with the teams in charge at the ministries supporting the “Fit 4” performance programmes to ensure smooth and regular follow-up of company applications and projects.
• Lead and contribute, together with your team, to various transversal projects.

Develop skills and networks

• Nurture a close relationship with key stakeholders, partners and companies at the national level, notably with the Ministry of the Economy, to ensure strategic alignment.
• Ensure that your team members stay abreast of industry trends and market conditions, identify new trends or company needs and collaborate with the relevant teams within Luxinnovation to develop new projects or services.
• Within the ecosystem, proactively stay up to date about activities, services and development of partnered institutions and actors, maintain and develop synergies and collaborations to avoid duplicates and loss of efficiencies between several actors.
• Be constantly informed about activities and services that are offered by other departments, seek synergies and develop joint actions.
• Participate in the writing, and submission of projects for Luxinnovation dedicated to supporting businesses and particularly SMEs.
• Develop expert networks to support businesses (technological and financial partners, consultants, etc.).
• Maintain and develop relationships with the shareholders on whom the service's activities depend.

Team management

• Supervise, provide training and support the development of your team members under your responsibility.
• Evaluate their annual performance and work closely with the Human Resources department to define learning & development plans.
• Execute administrative management tasks (validations, leaves, home office, reporting, etc.).

SKILLS AND QUALIFICATIONS

Qualifications and experience

• University education of at least Master level (“Bac+ 4/5” in the French university system) preferably in economics, business management or equivalent
• Ideally 10 years of experience in business consulting, ideally in the field of diagnostics/roadmaps.

Technical skills

• Proven track record in structuring activities, as well as managing and developing a team.
• Good grasp of the Government’s priorities and functioning as well as a good understanding of the roles and responsibilities of other key stakeholders in the Luxembourg innovation ecosystem.
• Training or certificate in project management is an asset

Interpersonal skills

• Mindset is key: open-minded, collaborative, curious, eager to learn and develop, customer and human-centric, leading by example.
• Soft skills: pragmatism, problem-solving and analytical capabilities, strong personal organisation, fast learner, excellent presentation skills.

Language skills: Excellent written and verbal communication skills in English, French and Luxembourgish. German is considered a strong asset.

WHY CHOOSE THIS POSITION?

• To contribute to a purpose-driven organisation with the objective to foster innovation amongst companies.
• To bring your skills and experience to the Company Performance Programmes team and contribute to the change management in our organisation.
• To strengthen collaboration and synergies with other teams within Luxinnovation.
• To develop your network with various stakeholders, companies and organisations.
• To work hand in hand with our internal transformation team to design and implement various continuous improvement projects.
• To gain in-depth knowledge of Luxembourg’s rapidly evolving business and innovation ecosystem.
• To enjoy a pleasant and ideally located workplace in Belval.

If you are interested in applying for this position, please submit your application online in English.