Project Manager

About the project:
Regional Innovation Valley Project

The Regional Innovation Valley Project is a transformative initiative aimed at revolutionizing manufacturing supply chains across Europe through innovation, digitalisation, and sustainability. The project coordinates Regional Innovation Hubs and launches 8 Open Calls targeting key sectors such as Circular Textile Production, Medical Equipment, Food Production, Machine Tooling, AI in Agriculture, and more. It provides businesses with Value and Supply Chain Analysis, facilitates Gaia-X-compliant data sharing, and introduces the Digital Product Passport to enhance transparency and sustainability. By operating an Open Safe Neutral Infrastructure, implementing Clearing House functions, and defining industry standards, the project ensures secure and efficient data management. Additionally, it supports re-skilling initiatives and promotes the development of multi-sided business models, empowering companies to adapt and thrive. With a strong focus on collaboration, the Regional Innovation Valley Project lays the groundwork for a sustainable, technologically advanced, and future-ready manufacturing ecosystem across Europe.

What we expect
- A Master’s degree or equivalent experience in a relevant field such as project management, business management, engineering, commerce, finance, or entrepreneurship.
- Education or experience related to the manufacturing sector is a strong advantage.
- Experience in regulatory compliance and standardization, particularly in areas like data-sharing frameworks (e.g., Gaia-X) and innovative tools such as Digital Product Passports.
- Outstanding communication skills in English, including written, oral, and presentation abilities, are mandatory.
- Proficiency in additional languages is a plus.
- A proactive, autonomous, and trustworthy team player with a strong sense of responsibility and the ability to build and foster collaboration across teams and stakeholders.
- Willingness to travel within Austria and Europe, representing the project and engaging stakeholders to build momentum and support.
- Exceptional organizational skills, with the ability to manage complex projects, meet deadlines, and adapt to changing priorities during the project approval and implementation phases.
- A deep interest in topics like innovation management, business creation, technology, entrepreneurship, and internationalization, with a passion for driving large-scale impact in the manufacturing ecosystem.

**Key responsibilities**:
**Project Development and Strategic Alignment**:

- Lead the development of the Regional Innovation Valley Project proposal, ensuring alignment with organizational objectives and funding requirements.
- Coordinate with internal and external stakeholders to refine project goals, deliverables, and strategic priorities to secure approval for the project launch.
- Present the project vision, objectives, and value proposition to decision-makers and funding bodies to gain the necessary endorsements and support.

**Project Advocacy and Representation**:

- Represent the project vision at national and international events, building a compelling case for support.
- Facilitate networking opportunities to strengthen partnerships and increase the project’s visibility and credibility

**Stakeholder Engagement and Advocacy**:

- Build strong relationships with key stakeholders, including companies, innovation hubs, policymakers, and funding agencies, to gain their buy-in and commitment to the project.
- Organize and lead consultations, workshops, and presentations to demonstrate the project’s relevance and potential impact.
- Act as a persuasive advocate for the project, addressing concerns and demonstrating its alignment with regional and European priorities.

**Feasibility Analysis and Proposal Development**:

- Conduct detailed feasibility studies, including Value and Supply Chain Analysis, to validate the project’s approach and secure stakeholder confidence.
- Collaborate with technical and financial experts to prepare a comprehensive project proposal, including a clear implementation plan, budget, and risk mitigation strategy.

**Regulatory and Compliance Readiness**:

- Ensure the project complies with regional and European regulations, including Gaia-X data-sharing standards and other relevant frameworks.
- Define and propose standardized methods, processes, and tools such as the Digital Product Passport and Clearing House functions, demonstrating the project’s innovative and compliant approach.

**Coordination of Pilot Initiatives and Open Calls**:

- Design and plan pilot initiatives, including 8 open calls, in sectors like Circular Textile Production and Medical Equipment Manufacturing, to showcase the project’s potential.
- Develop clear evaluation criteria and mechanisms to demonstrate the scalability and impact of the proposed pilots.

**Stakeholder Communication and Approval Process**:

- Prepare and present detaile