ABOUT EIT FOOD

At EIT Food we accelerate innovation to build a future-fit food system that produces healthy and sustainable food for all. To achieve this, we are leading the world’s largest food innovation community. Through a missions-led approach, we put improving outcomes for people and planet as the starting point for our work.  

Supported by the European Institute of Innovation and Technology (EIT), a body of the European Union, we invest in projects, organisations and individuals that share our goals for a healthy and sustainable food system. We unlock innovation potential in businesses and universities and create and scale agritech startups to bring new technologies and products to market. And we equip entrepreneurs and professionals with the skills needed to transform the food system and educate and inspire the next generation.  

Our innovation projects are delivered with a combination of industry, education, and research partners to improve environmental and health outcomes, by developing solutions that align with our three missions: Healthier Lives Through Food, A Net Zero Food System, and Reducing Risk for a Fair and Resilient Food System.

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.

Visit our website: https://www.eitfood.eu

JOB DESCRIPTION

The Head of Resilient Agriculture leads EIT Food’s resilient agriculture initiatives across Europe, ensuring operational delivery, team coordination, and scalable impact under the Director’s strategy.

Key Responsibilities 

Portfolio Leadership and Delivery

• Lead delivery of resilient agriculture portfolio across regions/supply chains
• Translate strategy into operational plans and ensure portfolio integration
• Oversee timelines, budgets, performance; mitigate risks
• Standardize landscape design (farmer models, training, data systems)

Landscape Development and Coordination 

• Develop/implement scalable regenerative landscapes as demonstration models
• Structure partnerships (farmers, corporates, research, locals); negotiate roles/co-investments
• Integrate systemic elements: engagement, advisory, supply chain, innovation, monitoring, viability
• Facilitate cross-landscape knowledge sharing and EIT Food alignment

Team Leadership 

• Manage programme managers and portfolio specialists with direction, performance support, and development to deliver complex multi-stakeholder programmes
• Foster collaboration across Impact, Partnerships, Communications, etc.

Programme Governance and Performance 

• Build strong governance frameworks for the portfolio
• Ensure that landscapes track and report environmental, economic, and social impact, including soil health indicators, farmer outcomes, and supply chain resilience metrics. 
• Work closely with the Impact team to ensure that monitoring, reporting, and verification systems are implemented consistently across landscapes. 
• Ensure effective reporting and budget tracking to internal leadership, partners, and funders. 

Partnership Coordination 

• Coordinate l engagement of key partners within the portfolio, including corporates, research institutions, startups, NGOs, and farmer organizations
• Support development and maintenance of strong working relationships with landscape partners, ensuring clear expectations, roles, and delivery commitments. 
• Work with the Director and other EIT Food teams to support the development of new landscape opportunities and partnerships. 
• Ensure that corporate partners participating in landscapes receive structured engagement and clear value from participation. 

Portfolio Scaling, Continuous Improvement and Business Model Development 

• Identify opportunities to improve programme design, delivery, business development, and landscape structures for greater sustainability
• Develop scalable models and sustainable funding (co-investments, blended finance, supply chain partnerships) with the Director
• Define value propositions for stakeholders (corporates, farmers, regions, investors); capture lessons for business cases and expansion
• Strengthen EIT Food’s leadership in scaling resilient agriculture models across Europe

EXPERIENCE & SKILLS

• Significant experience managing complex multi-partner programmes or portfolios (e.g. €10M+), ideally within EU-funded, public-private, or multi-stakeholder environments in agriculture, sustainability, or food systems.
• Demonstrated ability to translate strategic direction into effective operational delivery, ensuring measurable impact, viable business models, and scalable outcomes.
• Demonstrated ability to design and negotiate co-investment or blended financing models, aligning incentives across value chain actors (e.g. corporates, farmers, public funding bodies).
• Proven experience structuring and negotiating multi-stakeholder partnerships, including commercial agreements with corporates, public sector actors, and delivery partners.
• Strong understanding of regenerative agriculture systems, including farmer engagement, value chains, and supply chain dynamics.
• Proven experience leading teams and coordinating delivery across multiple projects or regions.
• Ability to operate effectively within matrix organizations, collaborating across strategy, partnerships, and delivery functions.
• Excellent programme governance, planning, operational management, and performance monitoring capabilities, with a focus on continuous improvement.
• Systems mindset combined with entrepreneurial drive, identifying opportunities and translating them into scalable partnerships, funding mechanisms, and business models.
• Excellent stakeholder engagement, communication, influencing, and negotiation skills, with the ability to build trust and drive alignment among senior stakeholders.

WHAT WE OFFER

Working at EIT Food means joining a team of like-minded individuals who are dedicated to creating a better future through food innovation. We cultivate a culture of collaboration, inventiveness, inclusivity, and constructive feedback. All employees are encouraged to contribute their ideas and expertise towards our mission of creating a more sustainable and inclusive food system. Together, we're making a real impact on the food industry and we're looking for talented individuals like you to join us.

As a valued member of our team, we'll provide you with a competitive salary and benefits package.

CONTRACT TYPE

Full-time position.

LOCATION & TRAVEL FREQUENCY

This role can be based in any of our six locations: Belgium, UK, The Netherlands, Germany, Spain or Poland. To be eligible, you must be based in one of these locations and have the legal right to work there. Within your chosen location, we offer flexible working arrangements, including remote and hybrid options, depending on local policies and requirements.

Occasional travel within Europe.

APPLICATION

We encourage interested candidates to apply as soon as possible. While the application deadline is 24 April, we reserve the right to close the vacancy earlier if we find the right candidate. We recommend submitting your application at the earliest opportunity to ensure consideration.

EQUAL OPPORTUNITIES

At EIT Food we believe that diversity and inclusion make us stronger. We are committed to providing equal opportunities to all candidates, regardless of age, gender, background, ethnicity, religion, disability, sexual orientation, or any other characteristic. We welcome applications from everyone and strive to create a workplace where all employees feel valued, respected, and empowered to contribute to their fullest potential.