Freelance Program Manager

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

Benefits offered by this job

Growth & Coaching

Cutting-Edge Projects

Attractive Compensation

Culture & Community

Job summary

Verhaert seeks an experienced Program Manager to own a strategic portfolio of multi-year, externally co-funded innovation programs. You will collaborate with European institutional bodies and international consortia to secure synergies, govern the portfolio, and translate milestones into scalable industrial outcomes.

The role demands 3–5 years leading complex programs in industrial/R&D settings, strong budgeting and stakeholder-management skills, and fluency in English (Dutch knowledge is a

Qualifications

• Master’s degree or PhD in Materials Science & Engineering, Physics, Chemical Engineering, or a closely related engineering discipline.
• 3–5 years of demonstrated experience leading complex multi-stakeholder technical projects or innovation programs in industrial or advanced R&D environments.
• Proven acumen in budget tracking, milestone planning, contractual compliance, and risk mitigation.
• Excellent interpersonal, diplomacy, and stakeholder-management skills; able to engage with technical specialists, executive leadership, and institutional authorities.

Responsibilities

• Program Governance & Roadmap Execution: Drive strategic coherence, planning, and execution across an interrelated portfolio of advanced R&D and scale-up projects.
• Consortium & Stakeholder Management: Liaise between internal project leads, external partners, grant management consultants, and institutional officers.
• Budget, Scope & Resource Control: Oversee multi-million program budgets, allocate shared resources, and enforce milestone-driven progress.
• Compliance & Quality Assurance: Ensure alignment with grant agreements by reviewing, approving, and submitting deliverables and progress reports.
• Internal Leadership & Alignment: Inspire cross-functional teams to foster technical excellence and cross-project synergy.

Skills

Budget tracking

Milestone planning

Stakeholder management

English language

Analytical mindset

Education

Master’s degree in Materials Science & Engineering

PhD in Materials Science & Engineering / Physics / Chemical Engineering

Related engineering discipline

Job description

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.
• 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.
• Excellent professional command of English (written and verbal). Working knowledge of Dutch is a strong asset.

What We Offer

At Verhaert, you will join an open, dynamic, and people-centric environment where entrepreneurship, autonomy, and passion for technology take center stage.

• Growth & Coaching: Structured onboarding, specialized masterclasses, and personal guidance from senior experts/coaches to accelerate your career.
• Cutting-Edge Projects: Work in a state-of-the-art prototyping environment equipped with the latest machinery and tools.
• Attractive Compensation: A competitive salary package including comprehensive fringe benefits (health insurance, pension plan, meal vouchers, etc.), a company car or mobility budget, and flexible hybrid working options.
• Culture & Community: A close-knit team of like-minded innovators. Knowledge sharing, transparent communication, and enjoying what we do are fundamental to our culture.