Chief Partnership Officer

Chief Partnership Officer

EIT Food

Spain, Italy or Poland

ABOUT EIT FOOD

EIT Food is the world’s largest and most dynamic food innovation community. We create connections across the food system that stimulate new ideas and innovations to drive change. Supported by the EU, we invest in projects, organisations and individuals that share our goals for a healthy and sustainable food system. Our projects and programmes are delivered with a combination of industry, education and research partners and participants to bring innovation to the key challenges across the Food System by developing solutions that align with our three missions – healthier lives through food, net zero food system, and reducing risk for a fair and resilient food system.

Visit our website: https://www.eitfood.eu.

JOB DESCRIPTION

Reporting to the CEO and acting as a vital member of the Executive Management Team, the Chief Partnership Officer (CPO) is responsible for ensuring the growth and success of EIT Food’s Partnership, and that the partnership is at the heart of delivering on our Missions and strategic impact objectives.

Within the CPO’s remit are our three regions (West, South, and North & East), as well as “field” programme delivery, through a dedicated team of programme and project specialists. Through our regions we develop relationships with organisations including partners and potential partners, local, regional and national governments, funders and customers. Our regions also host our people and the CPO, through their Regional Directors, is responsible for ensuring that we have a great hosting experience for all of our staff across our offices.

The CPO’s direct reports include three regional directors who are responsible for the growth and development of EIT Food’s partnership and ecosystem in their regions, a Director of Programme Delivery responsible for the teams delivering projects across Europe, and a Head of Community who is responsible for coordinating the activities of key account and ecosystem managers.

MAIN RESPONSIBILITIES

• Ensure we have a clear partner strategy to recruit, engage and grow our partnership, support our partners’ engagement in our strategy, and the impact that they deliver across our Missions;
• Provide executive leadership across the organisation to drive the growth and success of EIT Food’s Partnership;
• Lead the strategy development and delivery of pan-European Partnership activities;
• Provide strategic direction, vision, and clear executive leadership to regional teams;
• Develop and implement a Partnership growth strategy to support the diversification of funding sources with the support of Regional Directors, the Head of Community, and other stakeholders across the organisation including the Chief Business Development Officer;
• Define a compelling Partnership value proposition to support the implementation of the growth strategy;
• Lead the development and implementation of a Partnership satisfaction strategy based on partner needs and issues;
• Through the Regional Directors, build strong communities in our offices, supporting the organisation to improve recruitment and retention across Europe;
• Work with regional directors to develop regional strategies that align with the organisation’s global strategy, and align to the EU’s regional and national agendas;
• Represent the voice of our partners’ in executive decision-making;
• Work with the Communications and Events team to develop a Partner-focused events schedule and the events;
• Act as a key executive escalation point for Partner issues, including tracking and resolution.

EXPERIENCE & SKILLS

• Demonstrable experience growing a network and community, creating a vibrant ecosystem of organisations and people;
• At least 5 years’ experience in a similar leadership role, involving partnerships/networks, with an international scope, with at least 10 years’ experience is senior leadership roles with externally facing responsibilities such as sales, strategy, service delivery etc.;
• Experience should include roles within an executive management team (statutory director/officer) of a mid to large, pan-European organisation;
• Relevant experience in the international food system that allows for an understanding of the context of EIT Food and the needs of its diverse partner base strongly desirable;
• The ability to balance competing and complex interest from varied regional, global, and other organizational stakeholders;
• Excellent leadership and strategic capabilities consistent with the requirements of a c-level role;
• Able to summarize and solve complex problems in a structured way and communicate these solutions clearly and directly;
• Strong oral and written communication skills and excellent English skills;
• Flexibility – ability to lead others in a rapidly changing organisation;
• Analytical – ability to analyse complex situations and use data to inform insights;
• Business and commercial acumen – ability to translate business needs and problems into solutions and effectively commercialise partnership opportunities.

WHAT WE OFFER

Working at EIT Food means joining a team of like-minded individuals who are dedicated to creating a better future through food innovation. We cultivate a culture of collaboration, inventiveness, inclusivity, and constructive feedback. All employees are encouraged to contribute their ideas and expertise towards our mission of creating a more sustainable and inclusive food system.

Together, we’re making a real impact on the food industry and we’re looking for talented individuals like you to join us.

As a valued member of our team, we’ll provide you with a competitive salary and comprehensive benefits package.

CONTRACT TYPE

Full-time permanent position.

LOCATION & TRAVEL FREQUENCY

This is a hybrid role based in a EU country with a priority being given to Eastern or Southern countries and a preference for Spain, Italy or Poland where we already have a presence. Frequent travel within Europe required.

Frequent travel within Europe is required.

APPLICATION

Interested candidates are asked to upload their CV and Cover Letter in English in electronic format to CV Warehouse before 27^th of June 2024.

Shortlisted candidates may be invited for an interview and may be asked to prove their background, qualifications, skills and experiences by providing relevant documents.

EQUAL OPPORTUNITIES

EIT Food is an equal opportunity employer, offering each candidate matching the minimum obligatory qualifications and experiences an equal chance in employment and promotion procedures.

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