Director Industrial Biotechnology

About us

EuropaBio is the cross-sectoral industry association that champions biotechnology and biomanufacturing. It represents company innovators throughout the biotech supply chain, plus national and regional biotechnology associations.

The EuropaBio mission is to build EU, national and global frameworks through which biotechnology innovation delivers for citizens, the environment and competitiveness. It is a key opinion leader for biotech as a driver of Europe’s future industry.

EuropaBio has three primary goals:

• Legislative, regulatory & economic frameworks for innovative biotechnology
• Visibility & recognition of biotechnology and biomanufacturing
• Creation of talent, intellectual property & investment from innovation excellence

Biotechnology is recognized as a critical technology for European security, prosperity and resilience. In the current Commission mandate, it has generation-defining legislation to create Europe’s future commercial delivery across sectors, including a dedicated EU Biotech Act.

EuropaBio is seeking a motivated and ambitious Director to lead the Industrial Biotechnology (IB) Council and team. They will work with the EuropaBio Board and Director General to develop and deliver Europe’s foundation for competitive biotechnology in the coming years. It is an opportunity to be a leading voice in shaping this critical technology.

The Director leads a team of two to three colleagues (Industrial Biotech Manager, Junior Coordinator and Intern).

The role includes:

• Lead development and implementation of strategy to achieve Industrial Biotechnology Council legislative objectives within EuropaBio, working with the EuropaBio Board and Members within the Industrial Biotech Council
• Analyse legislative proposals and develop positions, responses and constructive pathways to achieve member outcomes. This includes collaboration with external stakeholders and alliances/coalitions to develop common positions
• Deliver proactive and impactful advocacy towards diverse stakeholders, including EU Institutions
• Build collaborations across sectors for the delivery of industrial biotechnology as next generation biomanufacturing
• Communicate and represent EuropaBio as a Key Opinion Leader for industrial innovation and competitiveness for Europe
• Play a leadership role within EuropaBio across teams to deliver cross-sectoral advocacy for the EU Biotech Act
• Manage the operation and development of the Industrial Biotech team within EuropaBio, including work within regulatory affairs and EU projects and with planning and management of team budget
• Develop and deliver a communication strategy for Industrial Biotechnology Council, to ensure visibility and recognition of its role in Europe’s competitiveness and resilience
• Work with the Director General to deliver Membership growth

The successful candidate will have the following profile:

• Political acumen and a demonstrated track record of advocacy and public affairs leadership and initiative in Brussels, aligned with biotechnology and relevant sectors
• Significant career roles working at a senior level the industry/policy interface
• Ability to develop long term strategies and transform into impactful actions, to be delivered in partnership with members and stakeholders
• Good awareness of the industry association ecosystem and how biotechnology is represented in multiple sectors
• Proactive and effective communicator towards diverse stakeholders, including EU institutions, industry and citizen-linked stakeholders, able to engage on complex topics as required
• Enjoy working across teams and be able to support the growth of talented staff across EuropaBio
• Able to represent EuropaBio at a senior level within industrial and policy forums as a key opinion leader
• A track record of project initiation and delivery, together with budget and team management
• Minimum degree level qualification in EU affairs, science, political science, law, or a policy-related field within Biotechnology/life sciences
• Be fluent in both written and spoken English (working language), with additional EU languages considered an advantage; a high standard of both written and spoken English is essential for office communications;
• Hold full authorization to work in Belgium;
• Be available to start as soon as possible.

Our commitment to you

• An engaging position, in a team of 3-4 people, within a growing EuropaBio team of 14+ people
• Opportunity to progress your career within an ambitious and diverse cross-sectoral association
• Exposure to a fast-growing industry at the centre of Europe’s industrial transformation, and a key enabling technology
• Motivated colleagues and expert membership at the top of their field who readily impart knowledge and who work across teams
• A comfortable central Brussels office space (combines closed and open plan) with an excellent view and an abundant supply of coffee and the occasional cake
• Structured teleworking, combining home and office-based working
• Generous benefits (see below)

We offer

• At EuropaBio we value work-life-balance. Staff well-being is of the utmost importance to us, and we provide a great deal of flexibility to members of staff.
• We offer a full-time job in a dynamic, international and flexible working environment and a competitive remuneration package. The salary is dependent on the level of experience. We offer 13th month salary and holiday pay.
• You will be offered a full-time open-ended position (CDI), 40 hours/week.
• Working hours are from 09:00 until 18:00 Monday – Friday.
• In addition to 20 legal holidays, 12 RTT days (Réduction du Temps de Travail), and end-of-year closing.
• Hospital, travel and group insurance.
• Meal vouchers of 10€/day worked.
• Public transport costs.
• Possibility to telework 2 days/week.
• Teleworking stipend.

Recruitment Process

The specialist executive search firm Dober Partners has been retained by EuropaBio to draw up a shortlist of prospective candidates against the criteria set out in this document, and using their discretion and expertise to help recruit a Director Industrial Biotechnology.

Please send your CV and motivation letter in English as soon as possible to the Dober Partners – EuropaBio team:

Mark Dober

mark@doberpartners.com

Natalia Kurop

natalia@doberpartners.com

www.doberpartners.com