Innovation Consultant - Battery and Energy Specialist

To realize our future growth ambitions, our PNO office in the Brussels area, "PNO Innovation," is looking for an Innovation Consultant to lead our energy and environment activities, with a particular focus on battery technology. You will be responsible for the conceptualization and writing of full EU funding proposals, business development and network expansion, and the organization of key events with partners in the value chain.
As a senior Innovation Consultant, you will lead the full range of PNO services, including the conceptualization of new innovative EU grant applications stemming from participation in EU-funded projects. You will lead activities related to stakeholders, market and business analysis, workshop organizations, and commercial consulting, with a special emphasis on battery technology and its applications.
Typical tasks include:

• Business development, where you will spot opportunities with partners from the value chain for the generation of new innovative projects, particularly in the battery sector.
• Writing EU grant proposals while conceptualizing, visualizing, and challenging project ideas to ensure high-quality proposals, with a focus on battery technology.
• Leading roles within EU-funded projects from initiation to the realization of official deliverables, especially those related to battery technology.
• Developing project planning, market and stakeholder analysis, workshop organization, business plan formulation, and exploitation (and/or replication) strategy planning.
• Executing high-end innovation consulting services on a senior level, especially for European Institutions, Technology Platforms, Sector Organizations, and large corporate clients.
• Expanding your network with potentially interesting partners in the battery sector.
• Keeping yourself updated on the most important developments within your area of expertise, and coaching junior consultants in our team.

• You have a (technical) master’s degree or PhD (e.g. chemistry, material sciences, engineering etc.) with focus on emerging energy topics such as batteries, hydrogen or other renewable energies;
• At least 5 years of relevant experience in grant writing with track record on successful EU funding proposals developed by you, and experience in business analysis, such as development of business plans, economical analysis, LCA, LCC, etc.
• Strong analytical skills, organizational capabilities, proactive and attention to details;
• Eager to capitalise on your scientific and technological experience and quickly move to the innovation management field where you will manage large consortia and discuss technologies and business matters, and translate this into new project concepts and ideas.
• Capable to work on deadlines and multitask;
• You like to build a strong network;
• Excellent writing, communication and editorial skills in English;
• Creativity and a good dose of humour;
• A senior and flexible team player willing to transfer your knowledge to your colleagues;
• Coaching skills.