Director of Cascade Funding

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.

ABOUT THE POSITION

We are looking for an experienced funding leader to take ownership of EIT Culture & Creativity’s cascade funding operations and support innovation across Europe’s cultural and creative sectors.

Reporting directly to the Chief Operating Officer (COO), you will lead the Cascade Funding team and be accountable for portfolio operations, compliance and a multi-million-euro annual budget. The role combines strategic engagement with the Executive Board and hands-on oversight of portfolio delivery.

ABOUT THE TASK & MISSION

You will oversee Financial Support to Third Parties (FSTP) under Horizon Europe, supporting cultural and creative organisations across more than 30 countries. Your remit covers the full grant life cycle across Innovation, Business Creation, Education, Transformation and other areas, from calls and awards to project monitoring, reporting and compliance.

Calls and funding awards

• Lead EIT Culture & Creativity’s cascade funding portfolio from calls and awards through project monitoring, amendments, reporting and impact monitoring.
• Supervise the design and launch of calls and the FSTP award process, including scope, eligibility, evaluation criteria and selection panels. Ensure compliance with Horizon Europe FSTP rules and the EIT KIC Grant and Partnership Agreements, guided by transparency and independence.

Portfolio budget and risk management

• Manage the multi-million-euro annual cascade funding budget and oversee disbursements to beneficiaries across the six Regional Hubs and more than 30 countries.
• Report on portfolio performance, risks and the impact of cascade funding projects.
• Own financial, legal and reputational risk management across the grant portfolio, working closely with Finance and Legal.

Project monitoring and beneficiary support

• Supervise the monitoring and evaluation of funded projects to ensure delivery against objectives, milestones and expected impact.
• Provide support and compliance oversight throughout the project life cycle, including amendments, reporting and cost checks.
• Ensure clear, efficient communication with FSTP beneficiaries and an effective onboarding process.

Team leadership

• Line‑manage the Cascade Funding team across pre‑award, post‑award and monitoring activities.

THE REQUIREMENTS

To be successful in your role, you must have:

• Master's degree in finance, business administration, EU affairs/public policy, or a related field.
• 8+ years of experience in EU grants, funding or investment management, including direct experience with Financial Support to Third Parties (FSTP) / cascade funding or comparable Horizon Europe instruments.
• Track record leading multi-million-euro funding portfolios.
• Deep, current knowledge of Horizon Europe financial rules and EU grant compliance requirements.
• Experience with the financial aspects of grants and Certificates on the Financial Statements (CFS).
• Ability to operate at both strategic, Executive Board-facing level and operational portfolio-delivery level.
• Experience leading teams
• Fluent written and spoken English