Eureka is looking for a Director IT & Digitalization

Eureka is the world’s largest public network consisting of 47 countries and the European Commission as members, empowering companies with funding for international cooperation in research, development, and innovation. Since 1985, the governments and public funding agencies within our network have supported the research and development of over 7,000 groundbreaking commercialized innovations, driving economic growth and enhancing industry competitiveness. Through the various Eureka programmes, we fund small, medium, and large companies, universities, and research organizations conducting international R&D projects for civilian purposes.

The Brussels-based Eureka Secretariat plays a pivotal role in supporting the network's strategic objectives, managing programme operations, developing and maintaining IT programme management platforms and databases, storing and analysing data, and promoting Eureka to a wide range of stakeholders and beneficiaries.

The Eureka Secretariat in Brussels is looking for a visionary and strategic leader to join our corporate team as Director IT & Digitalization (full-time), reporting to the Director General and leading a team of 6 staff members. This role is a new post and will be responsible for driving digital transformation, overseeing data management, IT infrastructure and aligning technology initiatives with Eureka’s strategic objectives.

Director IT & Digitalization

The successful candidate will lead the development and implementation of a comprehensive IT and digitalization strategy aligned with Eureka’s vision and strategic goals. This role involves modernizing IT infrastructure, driving the adoption of advanced technologies, data management and strengthening cybersecurity to safeguard sensitive information. The Director will work closely with internal teams, the representatives of the Network and external partners to optimize digital workflows, enhance user experience across platforms, and enable data-driven decision-making. Additionally, they will  build a high-performing IT and Digitalisation team, spearhead organisational change and cultivate a culture of continuous technological evolution  within the Secretariat.

As an inspirational and inclusive leader, they will engage the team and the organisation’s diverse and multi-cultural stakeholders and user groups, challenge the status quo, and promote a mindset of customer focus when enhancing Eureka’s digital solutions and services.

Duties and Responsibilities

Strategic Leadership & Vision

• Define and implement the IT vision and digital strategy aligned with business objectives. Lead in alignment with organizational values and ensure IT contributes to organization-wide strategy.
• Develop and maintain a long-term technology roadmap that supports organizational goals.
• Ensure cross-departmental alignment by implementing a One IT and One Data approach that standardizes processes, fosters integration, and ensures consistency across all technology and data domains.
• Align technology choices and system architectures to ensure compatibility and scalability.
• Support the Director General and Executive Board with structured strategic input and reporting.

Innovation, R&D & Continuous Improvement

• Foster a culture of innovation and continuous learning across IT teams. Encourage experimentation and safe-to-fail initiatives for rapid learning. Implement frameworks for data-driven decision-making, systematic problem-solving, and continuous improvement.
• Stay updated on industry trends and emerging technologies to identify opportunities.
• Create and manage innovative labs or pilot projects to test and validate new solutions.

Program & Project Governance

• With the support of the team oversee and coordinate multiple Agile projects, ensuring timely delivery within scope and budget.
• Prioritize initiatives and resources based on strategic value and organizational goals.
• Manage dependencies between projects and teams to ensure coherence and efficiency.
• Oversee project planning, budgeting, and performance tracking against KPIs.
• Identify, assess, and mitigate risks with contingency planning and continuous monitoring.
• Lead enterprise-wide cybersecurity strategy, including risk mitigation, data protection, and disaster recovery planning.
• Ensure systematic reporting on progress, risks, and results to Network representatives and senior leadership.

Data Management & Compliance

• Oversee organizational data strategy, ensuring consistency, integrity, and alignment with information management practices across systems.
• Act as a key partner and advisor in the organization’s information management framework, ensuring that data governance and technology are closely integrated.
• Promote data consolidation and integration across systems to enable coherent, organization-wide information flows.
• Ensure compliance with GDPR and other data protection regulations in coordination with the DPO.

People & Performance Management

• Provide clear direction, objectives, and measurable targets for the IT team.
• Manage line reports and evaluate staff performance annually.
• Ensure knowledge retention, structured handovers, and efficient knowledge management.
• Promote teamwork, collaboration, and transparent communication across departments.
• Maintain a supportive, professional, and trusting team culture.
• Encourage continuous learning through training, coaching, and mentorship programs.
• Ensure fair workload distribution and staff satisfaction.

Financial & Administrative Management

• Oversee IT financial management by planning and monitoring budgets, ensuring cost-effectiveness of investments, and maintaining alignment with organizational priorities and the approved business plan.
• Manage software licenses, vendor contracts, and external agencies.

Communication & Stakeholder Engagement

• Maintain regular communication and reporting to senior management and stakeholders within the Network.
• Promote cross-departmental collaboration and information sharing for IT and data-related matters.
• Coordinate with other departments to ensure business alignment.
• Ensure transparency, accountability and accessibility of IT decisions and progress reports.

Profile and Requirements

Experience

• Relevant professional experience of at least 10 years with five years in IT leadership role(s).
• Experience from public and international non-profit sector is an advantage.
• Demonstrated strategic leadership of digital transformation across international, multi-unit organizations,
• Proven track record in managing cross-functional teams and delivering complex, large-scale technology projects. 
• Proven experience developing and implementing digital transformation or technology strategies
• Customer-focused mindset with a commitment to enhancing digital services across diverse multi-cultural  user groups.
• Skilled in stakeholder engagement, change management, and effective communication.
• Proficient in project and program management methodologies. (Certification in this area would be an asset).
• Strong background in Solution development, IT infrastructure, cybersecurity, enterprise systems, and data management.
• Strong foundation in data strategy, governance, and AI/ML applications.
• In-depth knowledge of IT infrastructure, business support systems, and cybersecurity best practices.
• Experience managing Agile or hybrid project environments.
• Strong vendor and budget management experience required.

Technical Competencies

• Broad knowledge of IT infrastructure (cloud, on-premise, hybrid environments).
• Solid understanding of customised solution development approaches, including high-code and low-code environments, and familiarity with modern development frameworks and lifecycle management practices.
• Solid expertise and extensive experience in enterprise applications (CRM, ERP, Data Lakehouse, analytics tools).
• Strong grasp of cybersecurity principles and data protection standards (GDPR, NIS2).
• Familiarity with innovation frameworks, digital product development, and emerging technologies.

Leadership & Soft Skills

• An excellent communicator with fluency in written and spoken English.
• Strategic and analytical thinker with strong decision-making ability.
• Excellent  stakeholder engagement skills, with the ability to convey complex technical concepts clearly to non-technical audiences.
• Strong reporting and presentation capabilities, including document production, data visualization, and executive-level communication.
• Confident public speaker, able to represent IT initiatives and strategies effectively across organizational forums and external engagements.
• Proven leadership in building and motivating high-performing teams.
• Expertise in change management and driving cultural and digital transformation.
• Skilled in Innovation Management, promoting user-centered solutions and cross-functional collaboration. Certification in this area would be an asset.
• Confident with Agility (Scrum) and Lean principles, fostering continuous improvement, efficiency, and value-driven delivery.
• Strong sense of accountability, integrity, and collaboration.
• Willingness to travel abroad occasionally (approximately 3–4 times per year).

Education

• We are looking for candidates with a university degree at Master’s level, preferably in Information Technology, Computer Science, or a related field. Applicants with formal background in other disciplines are also welcome to apply, provided they bring strong professional experience in IT, digital solutions or technology management. What matters the most is your ability to understand and lead digital initiatives in a dynamic, multi-stakeholder, international environment.

What we offer

• Contract: Full-time position with an open-ended contract, under Belgian employment legislation and tax regime.
• Compensation: Competitive salary based on qualifications and experience.
• Benefits: Attractive extra-legal benefits, including flexible working arrangements (home-office allowance), a generous annual leave entitlement, pension, hospital insurance, daily meal vouchers and a mobility budget.
• Work environment: An international and dynamic team of 35+ employees from 16 countries, working in a modern, centrally located office in Brussels, near the EU quarter (Merode).
• Values: Eureka thrives on trust, transparency, passion, creativity, autonomy, collaboration, work-life balance, and diversity.

Start date: as soon as possible.

Application process

To apply, please submit your CV and motivation letter via the online APPLY button at the end of the vacancy webpage. By submitting your application, you consent to having your diplomas and references verified.

Applicants must have the legal right to work in Belgium, either through citizenship of a European Union or European Economic Area country, or by holding a valid Belgian work permit.

Closing Date: Sunday 7 December 2025, 23:59 (CET).

The Eureka Network is an equal-opportunity employer.