Programme Manager CAT-2
đź“Ť Location: Delft, The Netherlands (hybrid)
đź‘Ą Reports to: CAT-2 Lead, QDNL Management Team, Director Research Programmes & IP
đź”— Role type: Employed, seconded or ZZP (min. 0,8 FTE)
🚀 Steering Projects Towards a Quantum Leap in Communications
Quantum Delta NL (QDNL) is accelerating the Dutch quantum ecosystem by driving innovation, commercialization and talent development across the country. To support this mission, we are looking for a Programme Manager who can manage and act as the operational backbone for our quantum communications programme (CAT-2). Together with the CAT-2 lead, you form the leadership team, with whom you collaborate on a day to day basis.
You manage and coordinate various CAT-2 and EU projects, like the development of (European) quantum networks and quantum internet, to position the Netherlands as a quantum technology leader. Periodic presence at the QDNL hubs (Delft, Amsterdam, Eindhoven, Enschede, Leiden), other Dutch research institutions and occasional travel within Europe is required.
🔎 Your Role
As Programme Manager you coordinate our mission-critical CAT-2 programme. CAT-2 is QDNL’s flagship Catalyst Programme in Quantum Communication, which is entering a decisive decade. The programme lies at the heart of the Netherlands’ ambition to build a quantum internet and establish a resilient quantum technology supply chain.
You will act as the operational backbone of the programme and onboard partners from our quantum ecosystem onto the programme. You introduce them to our reporting standards and help hands-on to evaluate and provide valuable feedback for the preparation, initiation and submission of project proposals.
You ensure the CAT-2 programme stays on course and continuously aim to deliver clear, accurate and efficient programme reports to senior management, the QDNL Board and various ministries at the Dutch government. Together with the CAT-2 Lead you support the partners in delivering their projects, which will directly support the development of next-generation of quantum technology, and lead the transformative effort to shape Europe’s most competitive quantum ecosystem.
As Programme Manager you also lead European projects, where (sometimes) QDNL is a beneficiary across a consortium of parties. Starting from the initiation/ proposal phase you coordinate, structure and lead the continuous feedback process with the consortium. You aim to deliver a shared project scope with sound governance, clear estimations and a solid design. Ideally, you build a well‑aligned, high‑performing project team across all parties, supported by solid plans to proactively mitigate risks. You ensure the project budget is correctly allocated, make decisions aligned with the CAT Lead’s vision, and drive results to meet deliverables and keep stakeholders aligned.
You keep your stakeholders (and the European Commission) informed with regular presentations, where you take the stage explaining what the project is and its importance. In these projects you will be able to create collaborations on cross border initiatives and position QDNL internationally as the leading force in quantum technology.
🎯 Key Responsibilities
Programme & Proposal Support: Support CAT-2 partners in proposal preparation and submission, review the proposals and coordinate feedback, and support project definition and updates.
Manage (European) Projects: Lead projects aligned with the original vision and project scope. Build consensus (across a consortium), facilitate collaboration, make decisions, mitigate risks and bring the project to completion.
Strategic Programme Development: Advise and support the translation of the organisation’s mission and vision into programme objectives and monitor technological and societal developments to continuously align and improve the programme strategy.
Reporting & Administration: Deliver regular progress reporting, actively monitor partner deliverables/ deadlines, risks and mitigation strategies and compile overall reports for the QDNL Board and the European Commission in accordance to European standards.
Stakeholder Management: Maintain stakeholder relationships, participate in external meetings, and identify key interests and dynamics to inform the CAT-2 Lead, the consortium, QDNL Management Team, or the European Commission.
Positioning & Representation: Able to formally represent QDNL (or a consortium) at formal and informal events, deliver presentations on the programme, and provide solid communication with the European Commission in accordance to official process steps.
🎓 Required Qualifications & Skills
For this role, we are looking for candidates who demonstrate the following qualifications and skills. You do not need to meet every requirement listed, but you should match the majority of them:
University Master’s, preferably towards Business Administration, IT or Project- and Programme Management;
Experience as a Programme- or Project Manager, preferably within large organizations, an industrial environment/sector, universities or project management bureaus with a complex IT landscape;
Experience and affinity with technology, IT or the deep tech sector is important;
Responsible, decisive, organisationally strong, analytical, supportive and pro-active by nature;
Experience with European projects and European funding is preferred, for example CEF, DEP, EuroQCI or EuroHPC;
Able to travel within Europe occasionally;
Strong communication and interpersonal skills in both native/ fluent Dutch as well as English, with a proven ability to work effectively with a diverse set of stakeholders across public and private domains, including Board/ C-level.
Organisational & Political Sensitivity: Able to quickly grasp complex organisational and political dynamics, address stakeholders appropriately and steer diverse interests toward shared goals.
đź’ˇ What we offer
A leading role in a transformative programme towards a quantum internet
The opportunity to lead projects (in Europe) to a new technical frontier
A collaborative, mission-driven and informal work environment
Hybrid way of working
Room to grow your role depending on expertise and interests
A contract or collaboration structure that fits your situation (employment, secondment, or otherwise contracting)
A competitive compensation package
đź“© Apply Now!
Send your CV (preferably in PDF) via LinkedIn or email. Motivational letters are not required to apply but are very welcome and may be requested in further stages of the selection process.
For questions, feel free to reach out to Jordi Spijker, Recruiter – jordi.spijker@quantumdelta.nl
🔎 Selection Process
The screening will take place on a rolling basis. Selected candidates will be invited to an interview.
đź”— Learn more:
https://issuu.com/quantumdelta.nl/docs/quantum_delta_nl_manifest_artwork_19_for_issue
