Principal Consultant / Director - Markets & Industry

Ecorys UK; Rotterdam; On-site; EUR 67,000 - 89,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Hybrid work model

30 vacation days

Pension scheme

Professional development

Modern Rotterdam office

Job summary

Ecorys is seeking a Principal Consultant/Director for Markets & Industry in Rotterdam. You will lead the Markets & Industry portfolio, strengthening EC relationships, especially with DG GROW and DG CONNECT, and drive major proposals and assignments.

You will combine business development, portfolio management, and people leadership to achieve an annual order intake target of around €2.5 million while upholding quality and client satisfaction.

Qualifications

• Postgraduate qualification in Economics, Public Policy or related field.
• 15+ years of relevant consulting, advisory or public-policy experience.
• Strong European Commission experience, ideally with DG GROW/DG CONNECT.
• Proven track record of winning and delivering EC contracts, including €2m+ order intake.
• 10+ years of project management experience.

Responsibilities

• Acquire & account manage, driving growth and bid decisions.
• Lead EC evaluations, impact studies, and TA projects with rigorous methodology.
• Lead multidisciplinary teams and support workforce planning and leadership.
• Own the commercial health of the portfolio: revenue, budgets, margins and forecasts.

Skills

European Commission experience

Stakeholder management

Strategic bid development

Project leadership

Team leadership

Economic policy analysis

Fluent English

Dutch language advantage

Education

Postgraduate qualification in Economics/Public Policy

Tools

Economic modeling

Public policy evaluation tools

Job description

Principal Consultant / Director - Markets & Industry

Department: Resilient Economies

Employment Type: Permanent

Location: Rotterdam, Netherlands

Description

At Ecorys, we deliver impactful solutions to complex economic and policy challenges.

You will join our Resilient Economies team in Rotterdam, working at the intersection of markets, industry, competitiveness and economic transformation. Our work supports governments, institutions and businesses in navigating structural transitions, including industrial competitiveness, market regulation, the green and digital transitions, economic security, innovation and resilient value chains.

Our clients include Dutch ministries and agencies, municipalities and regional authorities, the European Commission, European Parliament, international financial institutions and foundations.

Your role

As Principal Consultant / Director - Markets & Industry, you will play a leading role in developing and managing our Markets & Industry portfolio, with a particular focus on strengthening Ecorys’ position with the European Commission, especially DG GROW, DG CONNECT and related Commission services.

You will combine business development, portfolio management, technical leadership and people management. You will anticipate market and policy developments, build senior client relationships, lead major proposals and assignments, and contribute actively to the leadership and growth of Resilient Economies.

A key responsibility will be achieving an annual order intake target of approximately €2.5 million while maintaining high standards of quality, commercial performance and client satisfaction.

Key Responsibilities

1. Acquisition & Account Management (±60%)

Lead growth of the Markets & Industry portfolio by developing senior European Commission relationships, identifying market opportunities, building the pipeline and leading strategic bids and partnerships. Drive sound bid/no-bid decisions and contribute to order intake and financial targets.

2. Technical & Project Leadership

Lead major European Commission and public-sector evaluations, impact assessments, economic studies and technical assistance projects. Ensure methodological rigour, quality, financial performance, effective resourcing and strong client relationships.

3. Portfolio & People Leadership

Lead and develop multidisciplinary teams, coach emerging leaders and strengthen capabilities in proposal development, project management and European Commission methodologies. Support workforce planning and contribute to the strategic leadership of Resilient Economies.

4. Financial Responsibility

Own the commercial health of the portfolio by driving acquisition and revenue, managing pipeline, budgets, margins and forecasts, and balancing short-term delivery with sustainable portfolio growth.

What you will bring

• Postgraduate qualification in Economics, Public Policy or a related field.
• 15+ years of relevant consulting, advisory or public-policy experience.
• Strong European Commission experience, ideally with DG GROW, DG CONNECT or related services.
• Proven track record of winning and delivering European Commission contracts, including €2m+ order intake.
• 10+ years of project management experience.
• Expertise in industrial competitiveness, market regulation, innovation, digitalisation, economic security, resilient value chains or related areas.
• Strong commercial, financial, analytical and people-leadership skills.
• Established senior stakeholder relationships and excellent communication skills.
• Fluent English; Dutch or another European language is an advantage.

Our Offer

At Ecorys, you will become part of an international organization of highly motivated professionals who tackle social challenges. We offer a stimulating and flexible working environment where your ideas and growth are valued.

• A competitive salary, of €6,000 - 8,000 depending on experience with potential growth prospects in the future. Seniority level and salary will be offered dependant on the successful candidate’s experience.
• Hybrid working (up to two days remotely per week);
• An open, collaborative culture that welcomes new ideas and collaboration;
• 30 vacation days, with the possibility to buy or sell additional days;
• An excellent and flexible pension scheme;
• Continuous development opportunities through training and knowledge sharing;
• A modern office in Rotterdam with an informal, social atmosphere.