Program Manager imec.istart Spain

About imec.istart 

We are committed to fostering entrepreneurial innovation and technological progress.
Our mission is to support and accelerate tech entrepreneurs as they embark on their journey. We offer a world-renowned coaching program, backed by imec, and provide initial investments to facilitate growth and attract additional funding.

imec.istart was launched in 2011 in Belgium as one of Europe’s first startup accelerators. Over a decade later, we have grown into a globally recognized program and early-stage investor, boasting a portfolio of over 350 startups and scaleups, along with an extensive network of partners and mentors. The focus of imec.istart is on tech and science-enabled solutions in a variety of industries.

The headquarters of imec are located in Leuven. The imec.istart team is mainly based in Antwerp and Ghent (Belgium), and we also have teams and programs in other locations in different European countries (including Belgium, the Netherlands and Italy). Our primary hubs in Spain will be Barcelona, Madrid and Malaga.

Read more about imec.istart.

What you will do 

• Drive the success of imec.istart in Spain: as the face and responsible for our imec.istart programs in Spain, you will be the driver for the success of our programs and motivate a team to provide the best support possible for the startups and scaleups in our portfolio in Spain. You will also be the liaison between the Spanish imec.istart team, the global imec.istart team (located in Belgium) and the other imec.istart activities in other countries.
• Support entrepreneurs: As part of the team, and depending on your specific expertise, you will have an own portfolio of startups as primary coach and/or deliver your specific expertise across the entire portfolio in Spain.
• Create awareness: Play a key role in raising awareness about our programs and offerings. You'll inspire, encourage, and stimulate people to become entrepreneurs.
• Collaborate in the ecosystem: Represent the imec.istart acceleration program brand in both Spanish and international ecosystems, collaborating with various imec.istart partners in Spain and beyond, including research institutions, industry leaders, and technology hubs.
• Spot opportunities: Engage with potential candidates for the imec.istart program. Recognize potentially interesting partnerships and collaborations within the startup & investment ecosystem.
• Screen projects: Assist in screening promising ideas and projects, such as during pitch days, with a keen eye for groundbreaking innovations.
• Support the investment process: Working closely with our legal team and fund management, you will ensure smooth contracting with new startups joining our programs and enable follow-on investments in portfolio companies.
• Manage and report on the budget and KPIs.

What we do for you

We offer you the opportunity to join one of the world’s premier research centers in nanotechnology at its headquarters in Leuven, Belgium. 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 determine 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 with many fringe benefits. 

Who you are

• You have a Master’s degree or equivalent experience.
• You are looking for a payroll position (not a freelance contract).
• You bring 10+ years of relevant work experience, ideally within an entrepreneurial setting or the imec ecosystem. Hands-on experience in a start-up (either as a founder or employee) or in running startup support programs is a plus.
• You have excellent communication skills, with fluency in Spanish and English.
• You have a keen interest in and understanding of the latest trends in technology, innovation and business.
• You are a natural and enthusiastic networker, capable of building strong relationships and persuading others.
• You are a proactive problem solver who can quickly and effectively respond to the needs of entrepreneurs.
• You are the embodiment of the entrepreneurial mindset, including innovation and flexibility in everything you do.
• You thrive in a multidisciplinary team environment and are a true team player.
• You combine a hands-on approach with a strategic overview, achieving goals efficiently.
• You have basic awareness of the administrative and legal elements of investments deals, and are not afraid to dive into these topics.
• You are looking for a dynamic and varied role in a stimulating environment.
• You are keen on working in an international context and open to travel regularly to one of the other imec.istart hubs or relevant international events.

IMEC and its affiliates will not accept unsolicited resumes from any source other than directly from a candidate. IMEC will consider unsolicited referrals and/or resumes submitted by vendors such as search firms, staffing agencies, professional recruiters, fee-based referral services and recruiting agencies (hereafter “Agency”) to have been referred by the Agency free of charge. IMEC will not pay a fee to any Agency that does not have a prior written agreement with IMEC, validated by its HR department, in place regarding a specific job opening and allowing to submit resumes.