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.
SENIOR PROGRAMME LEAD NEB SKILLS INFRASTRUCTURE
1 FULL-TIME POSITION AT EIT CULTURE &CREATIVITY
ABOUT THE POSITION
EIT Culture & Creativity is an implementing partner to the NEB (New European Bauhaus) at the Joint Research Centre of the EU Commission, with the mandate of contributing to the consolidation and expansion of the NEB Academy. The NEB Academy is the “core structure of the New European Bauhaus to enhance the training, reskilling and upskilling of the different actors in the construction ecosystem, provide sandboxes for innovative solutions and support start-ups offering solutions that enshrine the NEB values.”
The EIT Culture & Creativity is supporting the establishment of this pan European innovation ecosystem, ensuring the integration of the Triangle of Knowledge: capacity building, innovation & business creation and knowledge & research.
One of the programmes EIT Culture & Creativity runs, is the NEB Skills Infrastructure, dedicated to transforming the lived environment through the core values of the New European Bauhaus (NEB): sustainability, aesthetics and inclusion. While skills and learning paths have started to be developed by other partners to the NEB since 2022, the next phase involves expanding the curricula with the EIT Label quality assurance framework and scaling past initiatives into a cohesive, operational ecosystem that delivers tangible impact across regions.
We are seeking a Senior Programme Lead (m/f/d) to orchestrate this next step to lead the programme’s transition from a strategic vision to on-the-ground full implementation.
ABOUT THE TASK & MISSION
As Senior Programme Lead, you will support the Transformation & NEB team to develop the NEB Skills Infrastructure. You will oversee the allocation of funding to consortia, ensuring that new initiatives are embedded in regional ecosystems and aligned with existing frameworks.
Working in close collaboration with our Regional Hubs and the Director of Transformation & NEB, you will lead, build and deliver:
- High quality and consistent educational programmes, that foster lifelong learning for professionals across policy, design, construction, culture and infrastructure develop the skills needed for the transformation of the lived environment.
- Effective governance of the NEB Skills Infrastructure, in synergy with other NEB Academy programmes across EIT Culture & Creativity
- Reach of the financial sustainability targets set for 2028
This role requires strategic insight to navigate complex EU landscapes and operational expertise to drive consortium performance. You will contribute to shaping the future of creative skills in Europe and supporting systemic improvements in the transformation of the lived environment.
Your responsibilities will include:
- Consortia monitoring & performance review: serve as the primary focal point for selected consortia , overseeing the end-to-end implementation of funded projects. Coordinate closely with the Project Management Office (PMO) to ensure timely, accurate, and compliant reporting cycles while monitoring progress against key performance indicators and Business Plan objectives. Proactively identify risks, escalate issues internally, and implement corrective measures to guarantee the successful delivery of individual project goals.
- Open calls & funding design: lead the design and launch of additional funding opportunities by reflecting on lessons learned from previous cycles to refine call strategies and specifications. Define mechanisms that translate skills into tangible market advantages and societally relevant value creation, while optimising learning formats and target group segmentation for maximum impact. Integrate and adapt the financial sustainability models into the call documentation to ensure the long-term viability of funded initiatives and the broader Skills Infrastructure.
- Regional integration and coordination: partner with EIT Culture & Creativity Regional Hubs to anchor consortium activities within their respective regional ecosystems, ensuring local relevance and maximum impact. Facilitate synergies between new initiatives and existing legacy frameworks by capitalising on past achievements to avoid duplication and maximise resource efficiency. Support consortia in navigating regional dynamics to foster sustainable, self-reinforcing local networks that align with broader strategic goals.
- External stakeholder engagement: act as the key liaison between the programme and external partners, including the EIT, the New European Bauhaus (NEB) unit at the Joint Research Centre (JRC), and broader legacy framework actors. Represent the programme in high-level discussions to ensure alignment with EU policy goals and foster collaborative relationships that drive systemic change across the European creative and cultural sectors.
- Educational framework: oversee the development and deployment of the educational offer, ensuring pedagogical relevance, regional adaptability, and overall consistency across the entire network. Champion innovative learning formats that address critical skills gaps, promoting lifelong learning, upskilling and reskilling within the built environment and creative sectors. Ensure all educational content effectively integrates NEB values and complements the broader EIT Label framework to deliver a cohesive and high-quality learning experience in coordination with the Education team.
THE REQUIREMENTS
To be successful in your role, you must have:
Required qualifications & experience
- A master’s degree in business administration, European Public Policy, Project Management, Education Sciences, Cultural Management, or a related field
- Several years of proven experience in managing complex, multi-stakeholder programmes, in international environments, Horizon Europe, or similar EU-funded frameworks, related to the development of pedagogical programmes and initiatives.
- Significant experience in the design of educational environments, capacity-building programmes, vocational training frameworks, or lifelong learning initiatives, with a specific focus on the cultural, creative, or built environment sectors.
- Experience in delivering innovative education and training initiatives within the cultural and creative sectors at local, national, and international levels. Understanding of online learning methodologies.
- Management experience with transversal teams and operating in matrix environments is a must.
- Knowledge of EU policies, initiatives, and funding mechanisms related to education and CCSI.
- Experience working with a broad range of stakeholders, including SMEs/freelancers, government bodies, academia, business, third sector, and community organisations.
Additional qualifications & experience:
- Certified competence in project management and further qualifications in education-related disciplines.
- Experience with EIT KICs and familiarity with CCSI activities.
- Knowledge of key themes, debates, and issues in education and training for the CCSI in the EU and beyond.
Skills & Competencies
- Communication & stakeholder management: excellent interpersonal skills to navigate a matrix organisation, bridging the gap between creative/technical teams and administrative functions. Excellent teamwork and intercultural management abilities.
- Strategic market translation: experience in designing sustainable models that turn skills development into long-term value creation.
- Process optimisation & analysis: Ability to monitor complex project implementation and identify improvements to enhance activities impact and efficiency.
- Ecosystem & legacy integration: expertise in mapping and leveraging existing regional assets, ensuring new initiatives synergise with existing frameworks rather than duplicating efforts.
- Educational design & quality assurance: deep understanding of how to design, implement and monitor higher education and vocational training frameworks, with the ability to oversee the quality and consistency of educational offers across diverse European regions while maintaining alignment with the EIT Label standards.
- Organisational agility & problem solving: proven ability to manage multiple priorities, meet strict deadlines and adapt to a fast-paced, evolving environments. A proactive, entrepreneurial mindset with the ability to identify operational bottlenecks, propose effective, compliant solutions and ability to prioritise under tight deadlines. Strong analytical and research skills with close attention to detail. Solution-oriented mindset with a focus on continuous improvement.
Language Requirements
- Excellent command of English (written and spoken), as it is the regular working language of the organisation.
- Additional European language is a plus.
WE OFFER
- A competitive salary with benefits
- Being part of an optimistic, dynamic, intellectually challenging, ambitious and inspiring team
- Contributing to an entrepreneurial, purpose-driven environment, that has European values at heart
- Dynamic processes, straight internal communication, low hierarchies and freedom to operate
LOCATION
This position is remote. The applicant must be based where EIT Culture & Creativity has established legal entities (Co-Location Centre, please see “Regional Hubs”). The candidate should be flexible to travel across Europe.
By the closing date of this job application, candidates must have a working permit valid to work in the country of employment.
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 virtual interviews in the first rounds and to a personal interview in the final round at EIT Culture & Creativity GmbH with the Selection Committee. Candidates may be asked to provide proof of qualifications, background, skills, and experience by providing relevant documents. Candidates can be also invited for interviews on other now or formerly open job vacancies of the EIT Culture & Creativity.
APPLICATION PROCESS AND ADDITIONAL INFORMATION
- Detailed Curriculum Vitae
- Cover letter, please make sure it does not exceed one page.
Please apply here by clicking on the position title:
Senior Programme Lead (m/f/d) NEB Skills Infrastructure
Important:
- The application should be written in English. Only complete applications will be evaluated (full curriculum vitae and motivation letter, in two separate files).
- The use of AI in preparing the application is not permitted. We are especially interested in submissions where the applicant’s individuality and voice shine through.
The job vacancy will be open until May, 22nd 2026 at 18:00pm (CEST). For questions regarding the application process, please contact [email protected]. If you would like to learn more about the EIT Culture & Creativity, visit www.eit-culture-creativity.eu.
Take the lead in this exciting journey. Send us your application now!