Freelance Program Manager

Verhaert; Antwerpen; On-site; EUR 90,000 - 130,000; Full time

Job summary

Verhaert in Belgium is seeking a Program Manager to own a strategic portfolio of large-scale, externally co-funded innovation programs. You will drive governance, align roadmaps, and manage multi-year initiatives spanning materials engineering to industrial pilot-line scaling, collaborating with European institutions and international consortia.

You will lead cross-functional teams, ensure milestone-driven progress within scope and budget, and maintain strong relationships with partners,

Qualifications

• Master’s degree or PhD in a related engineering discipline.
• 3–5 years leading complex multi-stakeholder projects in industrial/R&D settings.
• Experience with multi-partner, co-funded research frameworks is a plus.

Responsibilities

• Drive governance, roadmap execution, and portfolio oversight of advanced R&D and scale-up projects.
• Liaise with internal leads, external partners, grant management consultants, and institutional officers.
• Oversee budgets, scope, and resources with milestone-driven progress.
• Ensure compliance with grant agreements and quality deliverables.
• Lead cross-functional teams across R&D, engineering, IP, and operations.

Skills

Budget tracking

Milestone planning

Contractual compliance

Risk mitigation

Interpersonal skills

Stakeholder management

Analytical mindset

Outcome-oriented

English proficiency

Dutch language (working)

Education

Master’s degree in Materials Science & Engineering

PhD in Materials Science & Engineering / Physics / Chemical Engineering

Job description

Location: Antwerp region

Employment Type: Full-time

Experience Level: Minimum 3–5 years of relevant experience

About the organization & the role

Our client is an international, technology-driven industrial leader recognized for its pioneering work in advanced materials, circular solutions and high-end process innovation.

As Program Manager, you will take end-to-end ownership of a strategic portfolio of large-scale, externally co-funded innovation programs. This portfolio spans multiple interconnected, multi-year initiatives, ranging from materials engineering to industrial pilot-line scaling, conducted in close collaboration with major European institutional bodies and international consortia. Your mission is to secure program synergies, maintain governance, and translate complex technological milestones into timely, high-impact industrial realities.

Key Responsibilities

• Program Governance & Roadmap Execution: Drive the strategic coherence, planning, and execution across an interrelated portfolio of advanced R&D and scale-up projects.
• Consortium & Stakeholder Management: Act as the primary liaison between internal project leads, external industrial and academic partners, specialized grant management consultants, and institutional officers.
• Budget, Scope & Resource Control: Oversee multi-million program budgets, allocate shared resources effectively, and enforce milestone-driven progress to ensure delivery within scope, timeline, and budget.
• Compliance & Quality Assurance: Guarantee full alignment with formal grant agreements by systematically reviewing, approving, and submitting high-standard deliverables, milestone reviews, and periodic progress reports.
• Internal Leadership & Alignment: Inspire and challenge cross-functional teams (R&D, engineering, intellectual property, operations) to foster technical excellence, cross-project synergy, and accountability.

Profile & Requirements

• Location & Work Authorization:
  • Currently residing in Belgium.
  • In possession of a valid work permit to work in Belgium at the time of application.
• Education:
  • Master’s degree or PhD in Materials Science & Engineering, Physics, Chemical Engineering, or a closely related engineering discipline.
• Experience:
  • At least 3 to 5 years of demonstrated experience leading complex, multi-stakeholder technical projects or innovation programs in an industrial or advanced R&D environment.
  • Direct experience with multi-partner, co-funded research frameworks is a distinct advantage.
• Skills & Competencies:
  • Proven acumen in budget tracking, milestone planning, contractual compliance, and risk mitigation.
  • Exceptional interpersonal, diplomacy, and stakeholder-management skills, comfortable engaging with technical specialists, executive leadership, and institutional authorities alike.
  • Structured, analytical, and outcome-oriented mindset.
• Language Proficiency:
  • Excellent professional command of English (written and verbal). Working knowledge of Dutch is a strong asset.