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.
Head of IT
1 FULL-TIME POSITION AT EIT CULTURE & CREATIVITY
ABOUT THE POSITION
We are looking for an experienced IT leader to shape and lead EIT Culture & Creativity’s technology strategy. You will ensure that our systems, infrastructure, cybersecurity, AI approach and data governance enable us to work effectively as one organisation across our headquarters and six Regional Hubs.
Reporting to the COO, you will combine strategic platform decisions with practical oversight of day-to-day IT delivery through the Tech team and external providers. You will lead a team of two people and develop the IT function as the organisation grows.
ABOUT THE TASK & MISSION
You will set the direction, priorities and governance for IT, guide investment decisions and ensure reliable delivery. The role brings together technology strategy, business applications, data management, security, supplier management and team leadership.
IT strategy and digital transformation
-
Define and lead the implementation of the IT strategy and digital transformation roadmap across the headquarters and six Regional Hubs.
-
Set the strategic direction for AI tools and their governance, aligning adoption with organisational needs, data protection and security requirements.
-
Advise the Management Team on technology risks, investment priorities and opportunities for digital transformation.
-
Support Regional Hubs in aligning local IT and tool choices with a common architecture and security baseline.
Business applications and data management
-
Own the selection, governance and lifecycle management of core platforms, including grants and programme management, CRM, finance, learning and collaboration tools such as NetSuite, Monday and Hivebrite.
-
Oversee the Microsoft 365 environment and the services delivered by external providers.
-
Establish organisation-wide data management standards and work with business owners to improve data consistency and reliability.
-
Set priorities and oversee delivery through the Tech team, ensuring that applications and process improvements support organisational requirements.
Cybersecurity and operational resilience
-
Set and enforce cybersecurity policies and oversee business continuity and disaster-recovery planning.
-
Ensure that IT systems and services support GDPR compliance and sound data governance across a distributed, multi-country partner and beneficiary network, working with the relevant data-protection and business stakeholders.
-
Oversee day-to-day IT delivery through the Tech team and external providers, addressing service risks and operational issues.
Team budget and supplier management
-
Line-manage and develop the two-person Tech team, set clear priorities and accountabilities, and build the function as the organisation scales.
-
Own the IT budget, vendor contracts and service-level agreements; negotiate and manage relationships with technology suppliers.
-
Monitor supplier performance and ensure that technology services support agreed organisational priorities.
THE REQUIREMENTS
To be successful in your role, you must have
-
A Bachelor’s or Master’s degree in Computer Science, Information Systems or a related field, or equivalent professional experience.
-
Profound IT experience, including experience in an IT leadership or management role.
-
Solid working knowledge of GDPR and EU cybersecurity expectations.
-
A track record of managing distributed teams, external vendors and budgets across multiple countries.
-
Fluent written and spoken English.
-
Strong communication skills and the ability to explain technical risks and trade-offs clearly to non-technical executive stakeholders.
Desirable experience
-
Experience with grants-management or CRM platforms used in EU-funded programme delivery.
WE OFFER
-
The opportunity to shape the IT function of a European organisation supporting innovation in the cultural and creative sectors.
-
A leadership role combining strategic responsibility, team development and practical oversight of technology delivery.
-
Collaboration with colleagues across our headquarters and six Regional Hubs in an international working environment.
-
Gross annual salary between EUR 75,000 and EUR 80,000, depending on experience and qualifications.
LOCATION
This position will be based in Barcelona, with flexible remote-working options available. Periodic in-person attendance at the Barcelona office and occasional (international) travel may be required.
Candidates must have the legal right to work in Spain by the intended starting date.
Preferred starting date: as soon as possible, by mutual agreement.
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.
SELECTION PROCESS
A Selection Committee of experts will be appointed to carry out the evaluation of applications submitted. Please note that the Selection Committee’s internal proceedings are strictly confidential for avoiding conflicts of interest. Shortlisted candidates are invited to online interviews with the Selection Committee in the first rounds and to a personal interview with senior management in the final round. Candidates may be asked to provide proof of qualifications, background, skills, and experience by providing relevant documents. Candidates may also be invited to interview for other vacancies at EIT Culture & Creativity.
APPLICATION PROCESS AND ADDITIONAL INFORMATION
A complete application should consist of:
-
A detailed CV demonstrating relevant experience
-
A motivation letter describing briefly how you meet the criteria outlined and your vision for the role (no longer than 2 DIN-A4 pages).
Important: The application must be written in English. Only complete applications will be evaluated (full curriculum vitae and motivation letter, in two separate files).
The job vacancy will be open until 26 November 2026 (18:00 CET).
For questions regarding the application process, please contact [email protected].
If you would like to learn more about EIT Culture & Creativity, visit www.eit-culture-creativity.eu.
Take the lead in this exciting journey – send your application now!
DISCLAIMER
The document dated 26 October 2026 might be subject to change; all changes will be made visible in future versions.