Operations/program Manager — ECO Group (0.8–1.0 FTE)
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Eindhoven University of Technology (TU/e) Operations/program Manager — ECO Group (0.8–1.0 FTE)
Description
Do you thrive on turning research ambition into smooth-running operations? Join ECO, TU/e's photonics and quantum communications & networks group, as the operational engine behind our growing project portfolio.
Information
As Operations Manager, you will be the operational engine and strategic coordinator of ECO, a leading research group of approximately 100 scientists, including PhD candidates, postdoctoral researchers, assistant, associate and full professors, supported by a dedicated team of technical and professional staff.
Working closely with the Chair, Principal Investigators (PIs), and professional support teams, you will ensure that ECO operates effectively, efficiently, and sustainably as it continues to grow its research activities, external partnerships, and international visibility.
You combine a hands-on operational mindset with strategic thinking. You translate ambitions into action, align people and processes, and create the organizational conditions that allow researchers to focus on scientific excellence and societal impact.
Your responsibilities include:
Key Challenge
ECO is entering a period of continued growth, driven by large national and European research programmes, increasing industrial engagement, and expanding interdisciplinary collaborations. Your challenge is to further professionalize and strengthen our operations while helping shape the strategic opportunities that will define the group's next phase of development.
"ECO combines world-class research with a strong ambition for societal impact. As Operations Manager, you ensure that our organization, partnerships, and project portfolio are as excellent as the science we deliver."
Information
As Operations Manager, you will be the operational engine and strategic coordinator of ECO, a leading research group of approximately 100 scientists, including PhD candidates, postdoctoral researchers, assistant, associate and full professors, supported by a dedicated team of technical and professional staff.
Working closely with the Chair, Principal Investigators (PIs), and professional support teams, you will ensure that ECO operates effectively, efficiently, and sustainably as it continues to grow its research activities, external partnerships, and international visibility.
You combine a hands-on operational mindset with strategic thinking. You translate ambitions into action, align people and processes, and create the organizational conditions that allow researchers to focus on scientific excellence and societal impact.
Your responsibilities include:
- Providing operational leadership across the group's research, education, organizational, and support activities.
- Coordinating strategic planning and helping translate long-term ambitions into actionable initiatives and priorities.
- Managing and monitoring the group's research project portfolio, ensuring effective resource allocation, risk management, compliance, and timely delivery.
- Acting as a central point of coordination between researchers, support services, university departments, industry partners, and funding organizations.
- Supporting the development of large research initiatives, strategic partnerships, and funding opportunities, while coordinating proposal development, including proposal writing, and project implementation.
- Overseeing contract preparation, project administration, financial monitoring, reporting processes, and governance requirements.
- Driving continuous improvement of internal processes, workflows, and organizational practices to support a growing and increasingly international research environment.
- Providing management information, analyses, and recommendations to support decision-making by the Chair and leadership team.
- Representing ECO internally and externally, building productive relationships across the academic, public, and industrial ecosystem.
Key Challenge
ECO is entering a period of continued growth, driven by large national and European research programmes, increasing industrial engagement, and expanding interdisciplinary collaborations. Your challenge is to further professionalize and strengthen our operations while helping shape the strategic opportunities that will define the group's next phase of development.
"ECO combines world-class research with a strong ambition for societal impact. As Operations Manager, you ensure that our organization, partnerships, and project portfolio are as excellent as the science we deliver."