Innovation Project Officer

**Are you passionate about connecting people, fostering collaboration, and driving impactful innovation? Do you thrive on building relationships and creating opportunities for early-stage biotech startups? If so, this could be the role for you**:
**Stakeholder Manager - Biotope by VIB**:
**Location**: VIB HQ, Ghent, Belgium
**Application Deadline**: Sunday, 2 March

**About Biotope by VIB**
Biotope by VIB is an incubator programme and early-stage investor supporting biotech teams in transforming next-generation, sustainable innovations into successful startups. As part of VIB, Belgium’s leading life sciences research institute, Biotope focuses on early-stage biotech solutions in agriculture, food, and materials, helping startups reach seed stage within 18 months. The programme provides hands-on support, pre-seed funding, and access to a strong network to accelerate startup growth.

To strengthen our mission, we are looking for a **full-time Stakeholder Manager** to expand and nurture the Biotope ecosystem, helping to build a game-changing international network.

**Your Role**:
As a Stakeholder Manager, you will play a key role in growing Biotope’s international network and ensuring valuable connections for our portfolio startups. You will be responsible for identifying, engaging, and maintaining relationships with key stakeholders—including potential partners, mentors, startups, and government entities. Your role will bridge Biotope with its ecosystem, aligning expectations, fostering collaboration, and maximising impact.

**Key Responsibilities**:
**Stakeholder Engagement & Network Growth**
- Identify and connect with key stakeholders across national and international biotech, innovation, and entrepreneurship sectors.
- Develop and implement stakeholder engagement strategies.
- Facilitate communication channels to share updates, gather feedback, and address concerns.
- Expand and manage a virtual community platform.
- Represent Biotope at international events and conferences.

**Relationship Management**
- Build and maintain strong, long-term stakeholder relationships.
- Act as the primary contact for stakeholders, ensuring their needs and expectations are met.
- Encourage collaboration within the Biotope ecosystem.
- Work closely with the Biotope team and portfolio startups to align stakeholder activities with organisational goals.
- Organise and facilitate stakeholder meetings, workshops, and events.

**Your Profile**:
You are an independent, proactive team player who excels at networking and communication. You have a keen interest in business and startup creation and are eager to contribute to a growing initiative in the biotech sector.

**We are looking for someone with**:

- A master’s degree in life sciences, business economics, or equivalent experience.
- At least two years’ experience in stakeholder management, partnership development, or a related role.
- Strong communication and networking skills.
- A structured and efficient approach to work.
- A high level of interest in business development and startup ecosystems.
- Fluent written and spoken English.
- Preferably, an international network in agrifood, biomaterials, innovation, or entrepreneurship.

**What Biotope Offer**:
Joining Biotope means becoming part of an ambitious and dynamic initiative aiming to shape the future of biotech innovation. You will have the opportunity to:

- Work with inspiring and driven people.
- Take on significant responsibility from the start.
- Help shape Biotope’s development and growth.
- Expand your international and entrepreneurial network.
- Develop your expertise and career.
- Receive a competitive compensation package based on your experience.

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