Program Manager AT-C³ Competence Center

Do you want to INFLUENCE technological solutions of tomorrow? Do you want to be part of the
HIGH PERFORMERS OF TOMORROW
in the Austrian Chips Ecosystem? Are you eager to create the greatest opportunities for SMEs in the Austrian semiconductor industry? Would you like to LEAD the development and operation of the new AT-C³ AUSTRIAN CHIPS COMPETENCE CENTER? If so, we are looking for you

At the new
AT-C³ Austrian Chips Competence Center
, we focus on strengthening and growing Austrian SMEs and startups in the semiconductor industry within the framework of the European Chips Act. Collaboration and technological innovation are at the cutting etge of everything we do. The AT-C³ Competence Center is a European partnership involving
Silicon Alps Cluster, Silicon Austria Labs – SAL, Materials Center Leoben – MCL, Polymer Competence Center Leoben – PCCL, Austrian Institute of Technology – AIT, University of Technology Graz – TUG and ESBS Austria.

We offer
services and support to SMEs, startups, and scale-ups in the semiconductor industry, including technical expertise, business development, fundraising, internationalization, and identifying innovation opportunities. Additionally, we aim to train and attract more talent to support the sector's future growth. Beyond the national landscape, we strive to be an active participant and contributor to the European network of Competence Centers.

Tasks

As the
Program Manager of AT-C³
, you will be responsible for building, developing, and coordinating the AT-C³ Competence Center from both a national and European perspective as well as leading the AT-C³ operations team. You will steer the strategic goals and execution program of the AT-C³ Competence Center and be responsible for the work package 'management & coordination'. You'll foster collaboration with industry leaders, promising startups, research institutes as well as private venture and public funding agencies.

Your responsibilities include:

• Building and further developing the AT-C³ Competence Center within the Austrian semiconductor industry and the European landscape of the EU Chips Act.
• Coordinating the strategic objectives and projects within the AT-C³ Competence Center on a daily basis.
• Designing and executing the AT-C³ Competence Center's program, monitoring ongoing projects, ensuring accountability reporting to European and national funding bodies, and discussing new plans.
• Building a relevant network within the Austrian semiconductor industry and application markets, focusing on SMEs, startups, and scale-ups.
• Collaborating with existing projects and programs in Austria.
• Developing a sustainable business model to ensure the AT-C³ Competence Center continues after the funding period ends.

Requirements

You have an academic work and thinking level with proven experience in setting up and managing public-private and/or industrial collaboration programs. You have an affinity with the challenges SMEs, startups, and scale-ups face, and you thrive in a supportive role for this target group. You can motivate SMEs to take the next step in technological development and navigate networks with diverse interests across regional, national, and European contexts. You can relate to a network with diverse interests in regional, triple-helix, national and European contexts within which entrepreneurs, researchers and governments collaborate.

Your qualifications and skills:

• Experience as a manager of a large innovation program, small organization, or (public-private) collaboration. Entrepreneurial experience is a plus.
• Broad experience either in the semiconductor production field and/or in the design of semiconductor solutions and/or system integration.
• Broad expertise, network, and knowledge in the Austrian semiconductor sector.
• Strategic thinking paired with pragmatic execution, adaptability to changing environments, and a focus on results and collaboration.
• Leadership skills with a proactive approach and a facilitative, informal management style.
• You are a strong connector with excellent communication skills, capable of engaging industry stakeholders, government, and other partners.
• Experienced in communication and negotiations with funding agencies (e.g., FFG, Chips JU)
• Commercial wit and business insight.
• You are politically sensitive.
• You have experience balancing diverse interests.
• Fluent in English in speaking, writing and negotiation. Proficiency in German.

Offer

• A dynamic full-time position (contract for 3 years, option for extension) with challenging, diverse tasks and a high degree of trust and independence.
• Access to a broad network across industry, academia, and government in the unique and innovative ecosystem of the national semiconductor industry in Graz and Villach. Most of the time you'll be working at the TU -Campus Inffeldgasse Graz at Silicon Alps Cluster Branch Office or other organizations in Villach, Klagenfurt, Linz and Leoben, but you'll also have direct colleagues and flexible workplaces in Graz and Villach.
• A market-competitive salary and a temporary employment contract for 4 years.
• Attractive benefits, including an e-carsharing pool in Graz (Family of Power), public transport subscription, or mileage allowance.
• A safe and attractive place to work and live between the Austrian Alps and the Adriatic Sea (Alpe-Adria).

SalaryOvertime

This is an all-in salary, which already includes any accrued overtime.

Salary: 75,000 € to 90,000 € yearly