Commercial Manager Offshore

Commercial Manager Offshore & Coastal Engineering

Job ID: 30469

About Ghent University, Coastal & Ocean Basin and UGent Geotechnical Institute

Ghent University (UGent) is a world of its own. More than 15,000 staff members are engaged daily in education and research, administration and management, technical and social services, and much more. For many, Ghent University is the employer of choice: one of the largest, most innovative, and forward-looking employers in the region. The university comprises 11 faculties and more than 80 departments, offering high-quality, research-based education across all scientific disciplines.

Valorisation of knowledge and research infrastructure is a key mission of UGent. To support these activities, the university relies on a network of specialised business development centres funded through the Industrial Research Fund (IOF) and supported by the central Technology Transfer Office (TTO). Together, they foster collaboration with industry and facilitate the translation of research results into societal and economic impact through contract research, industrial services, licensing activities, and spin-off creation. For industrial collaborations, UGent operates internationally recognised research infrastructure in offshore, coastal, and geotechnical engineering. To further strengthen the commercial development of these facilities, we are seeking an experienced commercial manager to drive growth for both the Coastal & Ocean Basin (COB; link ) in Ostend and the UGent Geotechnical Institute (UGGI; link ) in Zwijnaarde, Ghent.

The COB is a state-of-the-art wave and current basin where physical model testing is carried out for coastal and offshore infrastructure, offshore wind energy, floating energy systems, subsea cable infrastructure, and nature-based solutions. The facility is jointly operated by UGent, KU Leuven, and Flanders Hydraulics. UGGI is one of Flanders’ leading geotechnical research centres and offers an extensive portfolio of advanced testing facilities covering soil mechanics, foundations, offshore structures, and soil-structure interaction. Together, COB and UGGI form a unique one-stop shop for experimental services and contract research in offshore, coastal, and geotechnical engineering. We are looking for someone who can further strengthen and position this unique offering in the international market.

Your role

You work at the intersection of technology, research, and industry. You will be responsible for the continued commercial development of the combined COB-UGGI service portfolio. You will generate new business opportunities, maintain and expand relationships with existing clients, and ensure that commercial leads are successfully converted into projects across key target markets, including offshore energy, maritime infrastructure, and coastal protection. By doing so, you will contribute directly to the growth of industrial contract revenue at UGent. You will work closely with the directors of both infrastructures, researchers, technical teams, relevant UGent business development centres, and the central Technology Transfer Office (TTO). You will report directly to the Directors of COB (prof. Maximilian Streicher) and UGGI (Prof. Mahya Roustaei). Your office locations will be in Ostend Science Park and Tech Lane Ghent Science Park (Zwijnaarde).

Your primary responsibilities include, but are not limited to:

• Developing a strong market positioning for the integrated COB-UGGI service offering, with a particular focus on promoting combined testing campaigns.
• Coordinating the commercial strategy to expand the client portfolio and develop new market segments where relevant.
• Further growing and maintaining an international network of industrial partners while building long-term relationships with strategic accounts.
• Identifying and developing new opportunities in offshore engineering, coastal engineering, geotechnics, offshore renewable energy, and other relevant growth markets.
• Identifying opportunities for complementary services, including numerical modelling, expert consultancy, and related activities.
• Representing COB and UGGI during client visits, international exhibitions & trade fairs, and networking events.
• Coordinating the preparation of service proposals and quotations in close collaboration with technical experts.
• Managing commercial opportunities from initial contact until contract signature.
• Monitoring ongoing projects from a client relationship perspective and ensuring high-quality aftercare.

Your profile

Education

• You hold at least a Master's degree. Degrees obtained outside the European Union must be accompanied by an official equivalence certificate (NARIC).