Ecosystem Manager (imec Germany)

About imec Germany

imec is the world-leading research and innovation hub in nanoelectronics and digital technologies. The combination of our widely acclaimed leadership in microchip technology is what makes us unique. By leveraging our world class infrastructure and local and global ecosystem of partners across a multitude of industries, we create ground-breaking innovation in a wide range of application domains.
 
Our new site in Heilbronn, Germany, is a strategic innovation node in imec’s European expansion. It aims to foster a vibrant ecosystem of startups, corporates, and research institutions focused on deep tech innovation, e.g. for an open chiplet ecosystem. To support this mission, we are looking for an Ecosystem Manager for imec Heilbronn, to lead ecosystem development and strategic partner & client engagements regionally, as well as internationally.

What you will do

Within the imec organization, the team at imec Germany is aiming to drive innovative semiconductor R&D capabilities across various business sectors and bridge between cutting-edge research and industrialization. Additionally, we foster relationships within the deep tech start-up and scale-up EU community. Being part of this team and to succeed in this role, you will:

• Drive Business Activities:
  • Translate imec’s chiplet roadmaps into actionable strategies across sectors such as Automotive, Compute & Systems, AI & Robotics, Industry & Consumer as well as ASIC services.
  • Engage with large multi-national corporations, as well as deep tech startups and scale-ups, to identify and qualify strategic collaboration opportunities.
  • Represent imec at industry and academic events, conferences, and innovation forums to promote our technological leadership and build new relationships.
• Steer Opportunity Validation & Partnership Agreements:
  • Lead strategic workshops to align client needs with imec’s capabilities and define unique value propositions
  • Guide partners through imec’s engagement lifecycle, collaborating with internal stakeholders (R&D, Program Management, IP, Legal) to ensure successful partnership/project scoping and execution.
  • Support business negotiations and contribute to the closure of multi-year strategic agreements.
• Build Client Intimacy & Ecosystem Growth:
  • Cultivate long-term relationships with key clients and ecosystem partners, driving strategic alignment.
  • Conduct market intelligence initiatives and develop strategic ecosystem engagement plans to identify new growth opportunities.
  • Support governance structure establishments to ensure effective collaboration and alignment between imec and its partners.

What we do for you

As an Ecosystem Manager at imec, you will represent a global research institution with the largest semiconductor ecosystem. You will have the opportunity to contribute to roadmaps across all technological areas from an ecosystem management perspective. You will represent an organization that builds industry partnerships with the goal of making a positive societal impact.

You will interact with senior management decision-makers, industry leaders, and experts to build collaborations that shape the future. This position offers flexibility, working in a multidisciplinary team in an international culture, and opportunities for continuous learning.

In exchange for your skills, passion, and expertise, you will join an organization with various challenges. Our working environment provides opportunities to take initiative. This is your chance to contribute to technology that will influence future society. Your contributions and those of your colleagues make imec prominent in its field.

We offer you the opportunity to join one of the world’s premier research centers in nanotechnology at its local footprint in Heilbronn, Germany. With your talent, passion and expertise, you’ll become part of a team that makes the impossible possible. Together, we shape the technology that will define the society of tomorrow.

We are committed to being an inclusive employer and proud of our open, multicultural, and informal working environment with ample possibilities to take initiative and show responsibility. We commit to supporting and guiding you in this process; not only with words but also with tangible actions. Through imec.academy, 'our corporate university', we actively invest in your development to further your technical and personal growth. 

We are aware that your valuable contribution makes imec a top player in its field. Your energy and commitment are therefore appreciated by means of a market appropriate salary package. 

Who you are

• Master’s degree in engineering, business, ecosystem management, or a related field with strong business acumen and a passion for technology innovation is required.  A PhD is not necessary for this position.
• 5+ years of experience in building strategic partnerships, programs or ecosystem management in a high-tech or deep-tech environment.
• Strong understanding of semiconductor technologies and their applications, preferably in the automotive segment, but also in emerging domains such AI, sensing, robotics.
• Comfortable with multi-level, multi-stakeholder partner interactions and enjoy developing and nurturing partner and ecosystem relationships. 
• Strong entrepreneurial mindset with a passion for innovation and ecosystem building.
• Ideally, you possess an established network that includes contacts at large tech and industrial companies across Europe and beyond.
• A network in the automotive and/or semiconductor industry and an understanding of various market dynamics and cultures across Europe would be advantageous.
• You have strong organizational, planning, verbal, written communication, and analytical skills. You are a team player with a can-do attitude. 
• You excel in presentations and interpersonal skills, with a willingness to travel frequently.
• Fluent in English and German.