Programme Manager Business Creation

EIT Culture & Creativity, Co; Belgique; À distance; EUR 55 000 - 68 000; Plein temps

Avantages offerts par ce poste

Remote with travel

Salary €55k–€68k gross/year

Annual bonus up to 10%

Professional development

International network

Résumé du poste

EIT Culture & Creativity is seeking a highly entrepreneurial Programme Manager for the Spark incubation programme. You will lead end-to-end design and delivery across two cohorts, coordinating trainers, mentors and partners across Europe.

You will manage the programme lifecycle, engage founders, and oversee funding progress while aligning with the organisation's mission to support cultural and creative startups. Strong project management and EU project experience are essential.

Qualifications

• Entrepreneurial Programme Manager who can design and deliver incubation/pre-acceleration ventures.
• Experience supporting entrepreneurs through funded programmes, ideally at culture, creativity and technology intersections.
• Strong understanding of venture building, investment readiness and funding mechanisms.
• Proven track record managing complex programmes and international stakeholder networks.
• Experience with EU-funded projects including monitoring, reporting and compliance.

Responsabilités

• Design and deliver the Spark incubation programme and calls for cohorts 2027/2028.
• Run start-up sprints and the 9-month programme journey with KPIs and monitoring.
• Plan hackathons and sprint-style formats for participants.
• Collaborate with trainers, mentors and partners across Europe to ensure impact.
• Track progress of ~30 ventures per cohort from idea to registered company.
• Coordinate selection, reporting and deliverables with the PMO.
• Define procedures to reach and track KPIs.
• Support founders and ensure engagement beyond graduation.

Connaissances

Entrepreneurial mindset

Project management

Stakeholder management

Cross-cultural communication

English fluency

Description du poste

EIT Culture & Creativity is the institutional partnership dedicated to helping European cultural and creative sectors and industries (CCSI) to become more sustainable, resilient, and competitive.

Launched in 2023 by the European Institute of Innovation and Technology, an EU body, we provide access to funding, knowledge, and tailored support. As part of the largest European innovation network, we build lasting connections between research, industry, academia, and cultural institutions.

• Our vision is to fundamentally strengthen the CCSI as a vital force for transformation—economically, socially, and environmentally.
• Our mission is to drive responsible growth in and beyond the CCSI through innovation, education, business creation and societal transformation.

Our first focus is on five key areas: architecture, gaming, fashion, cultural heritage, audio-visual and media. We support innovators every step of the way to scale their ideas, translate innovation into impact, and redefine what entrepreneurship means today.

We are present across 30 countries, with our HQ in Cologne, and Regional Hubs in Amsterdam, Barcelona, Bologna, Helsinki, Košice, and Vienna — building a powerful ecosystem that transcends silos, sectors and localization.

We believe that culture and creativity are not luxuries, but constitute a critical infrastructure for resilience, renewal and economic growth. Whether you are a creative innovator, a company, a university, a research center, a cultural institution, an investor, a policymaker, a civic leader or someone on a learning journey, we invite you to join us in imaging desirable futures for Europe.

Programme Manager Business Creation (all genders)

Locations: Italy, Belgium, Austria, Netherlands, Finland

ABOUT THE POSITION

EIT Culture & Creativity is looking for a Programme Manager Business Creation to lead the delivery of Spark, our pan-European incubation and pre-acceleration programme, for cohorts 2027 and 2028. This is a fixed-term role for a maximum of two years, covering the full lifecycle of both cohorts.

Spark supports aspiring entrepreneurs in the cultural and creative sectors and industries (CCSI) in turning early-stage ideas into registered companies that are ready to pursue product-market fit. The programme runs in two connected phases: short, high-intensity start-up sprints, followed by an in-depth programme delivery journey of nine months in total.

You will own the end-to-end design and delivery of both phases across the two cohorts, working directly with aspiring founders as well as trainers, mentors, and partners across our pan-European network. We are looking for a highly entrepreneurial individual who thrives on building and running high-energy, high-touch programmes for early-stage founders.

ABOUT THE TASK & MISSION

Your key accountabilities include:

Programme Design, Planning and Coordination

Prepare and coordinate the Spark incubation programme and its funding/application calls for cohorts 2027 and 2028.

Design and run the start-up sprints and the 9-month programme delivery journey, including progress, evaluation and monitoring systems.

Plan and organise hackathons and other high-intensity, sprint-style formats as part of the participant journey.

Collaborate with trainers, mentors, and third-party partners across Europe to deliver the programme effectively.

Track and report on the progress of the approximately 30 ventures per cohort participating in Spark, from early idea to registered company preparing for product-market fit.

Work with the PMO on selection, reporting, deliverables, and monitoring of programme and funding progress.

Define procedures to reach key performance indicators (KPIs) and track their achievement.

Founder Support & Engagement

Ensure the learning and growth objectives of Spark align with the real needs of aspiring entrepreneurs and early-stage founders.

Maintain ongoing support and engagement with participants beyond graduation, fostering successful ventures to apply for subsequent EIT Culture & Creativity support programmes for startups and scaleups

Coordinate with other parts of the organisation to connect founders with services such as access to market, finance, skills, talent, and a seal of excellence.

Organise and execute activities to showcase participating start-ups, including Demo Days and pitching sessions.

Manage the integration of participants and alumni into EIT Culture & Creativity tools.

THE REQUIREMENTS

To be successful in your role, you must have:

We are looking for a highly entrepreneurial Programme Manager with experience designing and delivering incubation, pre-acceleration, or venture building programmes for aspiring entrepreneurs and newly formed ventures.

Experience supporting aspiring entrepreneurs and start-ups through funded entrepreneurship programmes, preferably at the intersection between culture, creativity and technology.

Strong understanding of venture building, investment readiness and funding mechanisms

Proven track record managing complex programmes and stakeholder networks in an international environment

Experience with EU-funded projects, including monitoring, reporting, and compliance requirements

Ability to engage, mentor, and support founders throughout their entrepreneurial journey

Excellent project management, coordination, and organisational skills

Strong communication and relationship-building abilities across diverse cultures and partners

Entrepreneurial mindset with a proactive, resilient, and collaborative approach

Fluency in English; additional European languages are an advantage

WE OFFER

• Fixed-term employment contract for a maximum of two (2) years.
• Gross annual salary between EUR 55,000 and EUR 68,000, depending on experience, qualifications and country of employment.
• An annual performance-based bonus opportunity of up to 10% of the annual gross salary, subject to individual and company performance.
• Participation in building a company with ambition to contribute to the future of Europe.
• Fast and flat processes, direct internal communication, low hierarchies, and freedom to operate.
• An organization with a dynamic and friendly team with modern and well-located office facilities and the flexibility to work remotely.
• Opportunity to work with leading European universities, innovators and entrepreneurs.
• Exposure to one of Europe's largest innovation ecosystems.
• Professional development and learning opportunities in EU-funded project management.
• International and multicultural working environment.

LOCATION

This position is primarily remote with periodic in-person engagements and some travel.

Please note that employment is only possible in Italy, Belgium, Austria, Netherlandsand Finland. Applicants must be legally entitled to work and reside in one of these countries at the start of employment. EIT Culture & Creativity cannot offer employment contracts outside Germany, Spain, or Italy for this position (please see“About us ”).

Candidates who do not currently reside in the aforementioned countries must be willing and able to relocate to one of these countries before commencing employment.

By the closing date of this call candidates must have a work permit valid to work in the country of employment.

PREFERRED STARTING DATE

The starting date of the vacancy is as soon as possible.

REPORTING

TheProgramme Manager will report to the Director of Business Creation.

DIVERSITY & INCLUSION

EIT Culture & Creativity aspires to be an equitable and inclusive community. We nurture an open culture, where everyone is supported to fulfil their potential. We see inclusivity of talent as the basis of our success, and the diversity of perspectives and people as a highly valued outcome. EIT Culture & Creativity provides equal opportunities to all employees and applicants regardless of gender identity or expression, sexual orientation, religion, ethnicity, age, neurodiversity, functional impairment, citizenship, or any other aspect which makes them unique. We look forward to welcoming you to our community.

SELECTION PROCESS

A Selection Committee of experts will be appointed to carry out the evaluation of applications submitted. Please note that the Selection Committee’s internal proceedings are strictly confidential for avoiding conflicts of interest.Shortlisted candidates are invited to online interviews with the Selection Committee in the first rounds and to a personal interview with senior management in the final round. Candidates may be asked to provide proof of qualifications, background, skills, and experience by providing relevant documents. Candidates may also be invited to interview for other vacancies at EIT Culture & Creativity.

PRIVACY NOTE

Data protection is ensured in accordance with the General Data Protection Regulation (Regulation (EU) 2016/679 – GDPR). Applications will be processed by EIT Culture & Creativity and shared only with individuals involved in the selection process