Chair of EIT Food's Supervisory Board

EIT Food is growing Europe’s food innovation ecosystem to build a healthy, sustainable and resilient food system. We empower innovators and entrepreneurs. We invest in ideas and talent. And we create space for science, research, industry, and policymakers to accelerate systemic change across the food sector.

By mobilising the collective power of our ecosystem, we tackle Europe’s most pressing food challenges - driving innovation in resilient agriculture, protein diversification, and agrifood biotech to build a sustainable future for people and the planet.

EIT Food is an initiative of the European Institute of Innovation and Technology (EIT), a body of the European Union, set up in 2017 to accelerate food system innovation in Europe. EIT Food headquarters (HQ) are based in Leuven (Belgium) and it has 5 regional hubs in Europe (based in Poland, Spain, Germany, the UK and Netherlands), each working with and for partners in several EIT Food partner countries.

The Supervisory Board oversees the activities of EIT Food and monitors the definition, approval and delivery of the Strategic Agenda. It appoints the CEO, supervises their performance and discusses and approves strategic decisions proposed by the Executive Management Team.

The Supervisory Board is elected by the Partner Assembly and is currently composed of partner representatives and independent members with complementary skills, experiences and perspectives.

The Supervisory Board meets twice per year in person and typically four times per year virtually. In addition, Board members participate in committee work through the Audit & Risk Committee, Nomination & Remuneration Committee, Strategy Committee, and Legal & Compliance Committee.

JOB DESCRIPTION

The Chair plays a pivotal role in ensuring effective governance, strategic alignment, constructive challenge and stakeholder engagement across the EIT Food community and its wider ecosystem.

The Chair is appointed for a three-year term, renewable in accordance with EIT Food governance provisions.

The Chair’s primary mission is to provide strategic leadership to the Supervisory Board and support the successful delivery of EIT Food’s Strategic Agenda.

The Chair will:

• Lead and chair the Supervisory Board, ensuring effective governance and high-quality decision-making.
• Facilitate the development, review and oversight of EIT Food’s strategic direction and long-term ambitions.
• Ensure that Board discussions and decisions remain focused on the successful delivery of the KIC Strategic Agenda and its objectives.
• Foster constructive collaboration and alignment across EIT Food’s diverse community of partners and stakeholders.
• Chair the Partner Assembly and oversee governance processes related to Board appointments and succession planning.
• Lead the work of the Nomination & Remuneration Committee and ensure the effective functioning of Board committees.
• Act as the primary liaison between the Supervisory Board and the CEO, fostering a relationship based on trust, accountability and constructive challenge.
• Support the recruitment, evaluation and, where necessary, succession of the CEO.
• Promote a strong organisational culture that encourages innovation, entrepreneurship, integrity and impact.
• Represent EIT Food at senior-level engagements with European institutions, industry leaders, investors, universities, public authorities and other strategic stakeholders.
• Maintain productive relationships with the EIT, other KICs and relevant European innovation ecosystems.
• Serve as a visible ambassador for EIT Food and its mission throughout Europe and beyond.

The role is expected to require approximately 30-40 days per year.

EXPERIENCE AND SKILLS

EIT Food seeks an accomplished and respected leader with a track record of strategic leadership, transformation, governance excellence and stakeholder engagement in complex, multi-stakeholder environments.

The successful candidate will demonstrate the ability to guide an organisation of European significance through its next stage of development and impact.

Governance and Board Leadership

• Significant Board experience in a non-executive capacity, with previous experience as Committee Chair or equivalent governance leadership role.
• Strong understanding of corporate governance, risk oversight and organisational accountability.
• Demonstrated ability to build consensus while providing constructive challenge and independent judgement.

Strategic Leadership

• Proven experience shaping and overseeing long-term organisational strategy.
• Ability to translate complex environments and stakeholder interests into a clear and actionable strategic direction.
• Strong understanding of innovation, entrepreneurship and ecosystem dev