Earth Observation Platform Innovation Team Manager

VITO is a Flemish independent research organization in the field of cleantech and sustainable development. Our goal? Accelerating the transition to a sustainable world. To maximize our impact, we focus on further strengthening our thought leadership in the field of sustainability and innovation, in line with global, European and Flemish challenges. This expertise and impact is located in the following three domains: an economy based on sustainable use of raw materials solutions for climate adaptation and mitigation a sustainable living environment -The greatest threat to our planet is the belief that someone else will save it- Within the Environmental Intelligence unit, our vision is a world in which the power of science, intelligence and technology is harnessed to create a resilient and sustainable future for our society, the environment, and the economy. Our mission is to provide real-world answers to real-world challenges, to safeguard our planetary boundaries, our health and our well-being. We are convinced that besides technological innovations, broader societal innovations among policymakers and companies are crucial in this transition. In this context, VITO develops, maintains and operates Copernicus Land and Climate services for customers such as the European Commission, European Environmental Agency and the European Centre for Medium-Range Weather Forecasts. In line with this vision, VITO is looking for an ‘Earth Observation Platform Innovation Team Manager’. The Team Manager will report directly to the Program Manager of the relevant team. Job Description You will define and drive the technical innovation roadmap for Geo-AI capabilities, ensuring alignment between team activities, platform engineering & services and VITO's strategic objectives. You will manage a team spanning junior and senior profiles — developers and researchers — and are responsible for their professional development, workload balance, and performance. Your team will be part of a larger department (led by the Program Manager), and as the Team Manager, you will be tasked with promoting and boosting collaboration among the different teams and experts. By linking people with each other, you will work to achieve mutual goals and enhance the overall effectiveness of the department. You will represent the team in project governance, funding consortia, and external partnerships, and you will lead proposal writing in cooperation with business development for new European and national funding opportunities. You are expected to maintain an up-to-date view of the state of the art in EO platform technology such as DGGS, agentic AI, openEO evolutions, foundation models and new open standards, and to translate that into concrete team priorities. A growing part of the team's mandate involves extending Geo-AI capabilities into security and defense contexts. You will be expected to navigate the specific requirements of classified data environments, including access controls, data sovereignty, and infrastructure constraints that differ materially from open Copernicus workflows. Awareness of relevant funding instruments — including VISD, DIRS, the European Defense Fund, EDIS, and NATO's DIANA program — and experience with or willingness to obtain security clearance at the appropriate level is required. Expanding and maintaining a network of internal and external contacts, including international connections, will be essential. Utilizing this network, you will achieve excellence, defend VITO’s interests, and represent your team in various forums, cultivating relationships beyond the immediate specialist field. The end goal is to maximize the impact of our EO platforms in society, measured by KPI’s, and ensure long-term stability and continuity. Requirements: You have a Master's degree, PhD, or equivalent in a relevant scientific field and can combine this with a proven track record in needs analysis, project acquisition, management, and scientific research management in geospatial data. You have a demonstrated ability to lead and motivate a multidisciplinary team and can inspire this team with your strong strategic thinking and problem-solving skills. You have significant industry experience with Earth Observation services such as Copernicus and deep understanding of industry-specific challenges and opportunities. You’re eager to stay up to date of market trends, social trends, and transitions within the field of Earth Observation research and development. You have hands-on experience in the setup and bid management of European tenders. You have strong communication, networking skills and growth mindset with the ability to effectively persuade, negotiate, and collaborate at various organizational levels. You can easily adapt to changing circumstances and act as a promoter and facilitator for both internal and external collaborations. You have a proactive and results-oriented approach with a strong focus on continuous improvement of procedures, guidelines, and efficiency. A NATO security clearance is required for this position and will be part of the onboarding process. Offer You will have the opportunity to lead a team engaged in pioneering work within the research area, being part of an organization internationally renowned for its cutting-edge technological research and scientific advice. We offer a competitive salary complemented by various fringe benefits, including allowances, insurances, and a flexible holiday package. Innovation is our main asset, so we provide our employees with opportunities to learn and develop both on the job and through training. We work activity-based, allowing our activities to determine our location. Hybrid working and the option to work in satellite offices in Antwerp-Berchem, Ghent, Ostend, or Genk is possible. However, as a people manager, it is important for you to be frequently present in Mol, where your team is primarily based.