ABOUT EIT CULTURE & CREATIVITY 

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.

Find out more at www.eit-culture-creativity.eu.   

 

 Director of Cascade Funding

1 FULL-TIME POSITION AT EIT CULTURE & CREATIVITY 

 

ABOUT THE POSITION 

We are looking for an experienced funding leader to take ownership of EIT Culture & Creativity’s cascade funding operations and support innovation across Europe’s cultural and creative sectors.

Reporting directly to the Chief Operating Officer (COO), you will lead the Cascade Funding team and be accountable for portfolio operations, compliance and a multi-million-euro annual budget. The role combines strategic engagement with the Executive Board and hands-on oversight of portfolio delivery.

ABOUT THE TASK & MISSION 

You will oversee Financial Support to Third Parties (FSTP) under Horizon Europe, supporting cultural and creative organisations across more than 30 countries. Your remit covers the full grant life cycle across Innovation, Business Creation, Education, Transformation and other areas, from calls and awards to project monitoring, reporting and compliance.

 

Calls and funding awards

  • Lead EIT Culture & Creativity’s cascade funding portfolio from calls and awards through project monitoring, amendments, reporting and impact monitoring.
  • Supervise the design and launch of calls and the FSTP award process, including scope, eligibility, evaluation criteria and selection panels. Ensure compliance with Horizon Europe FSTP rules and the EIT KIC Grant and Partnership Agreements, guided by transparency and independence.

Portfolio budget and risk management

  • Manage the multi-million-euro annual cascade funding budget and oversee disbursements to beneficiaries across the six Regional Hubs and more than 30 countries.
  • Report on portfolio performance, risks and the impact of cascade funding projects.
  • Own financial, legal and reputational risk management across the grant portfolio, working closely with Finance and Legal.

Project monitoring and beneficiary support

  • Supervise the monitoring and evaluation of funded projects to ensure delivery against objectives, milestones and expected impact.
  • Provide support and compliance oversight throughout the project life cycle, including amendments, reporting and cost checks.
  • Ensure clear, efficient communication with FSTP beneficiaries and an effective onboarding process.

Team leadership

  • Line-manage the Cascade Funding team across pre-award, post-award and monitoring activities.


 

 

THE REQUIREMENTS 

To be successful in your role, you must have:

  • Master's degree in finance, business administration, EU affairs/public policy, or a related field.
  • 8+ years of experience in EU grants, funding or investment management, including direct experience with Financial Support to Third Parties (FSTP) / cascade funding or comparable Horizon Europe instruments.
  • Track record leading multi-million-euro funding portfolios.
  • Deep, current knowledge of Horizon Europe financial rules and EU grant compliance requirements.
  • Experience with the financial aspects of grants and Certificates on the Financial Statements (CFS).
  • Ability to operate at both strategic, Executive Board-facing level and operational portfolio-delivery level.
  • Experience leading teams
  • Fluent written and spoken English; additional EU languages are an asset.

Desirable experience

  • Direct prior experience within an EIT Knowledge and Innovation Community.
  • Experience within the cultural and creative sectors and industries (CCSI).

WE OFFER 

  • Gross annual salary between EUR 100.000 and EUR 120.000, depending on experience and qualifications.
  • An annual performance-based bonus opportunity of up to 10% of the annual gross salary, subject to the applicable bonus criteria and conditions.
  • Participation in building a company with ambition to contribute to the future of Europe.
  • Straightforward processes, direct communication, a flat organisational structure and autonomy in your work.
  • A dynamic, friendly team, modern and well-located offices, and 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 can be based in Spain, the Netherlands, Belgium, Austria or Italy, with remote or hybrid working options available. Periodic in-person attendance at the office and occasional international travel may be required.

Candidates must have the legal right to work in the country where they will be hired by the intended starting date.

Preferred starting date: as soon as possible, by mutual agreement.

PREFERRED STARTING DATE 

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

REPORTING

Director of Cascade Funding will report to the COO.

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. 

DISCLAIMER 

The document dated 27 October 2026 might be subject to change; all changes will be made visible in future versions.