Program Manager – Multi-Partner R&D & Grants (Belgium)

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

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,