Director Commercial Partnerships

Job Title: Director Commercial Partnerships
Team: Strategic Partnerships

Contract: Open-ended

Level: Alchemist
Please refer to our Capability Framework
Location: Belgium, Germany, Italy, Netherlands, Poland, Spain, UK

Apply by: We're interviewing on a rolling basis until we close the role. We advise you to apply early as we may close the role early if we have a sufficient pool of candidates. 

ABOUT US

At Climate-KIC, we are wholeheartedly committed to building a diverse and representative team and an inclusive workplace that values different life experiences and perspectives, and we encourage personal development, learning and growth.

When recruiting, we look to achieve diversity in the candidate pool. We actively encourage applications from underrepresented groups and are happy to consider reasonable adjustments that will foster success in potential employees from diverse backgrounds and life situations. And because our team has differing needs and personal circumstances, we offer a high degree of flexibility to accommodate all working patterns. We’re happy to discuss your situation during the interview and see how best we can support you.

Don’t let Imposter Syndrome stop you from applying!

Climate-KIC (Knowledge and Innovation Community) is Europe’s foremost climate innovation initiative, entrusted by the European Commission to catalyse transformation through innovation. Headquartered in Amsterdam, with circa 160 people distributed all over the EU, Climate-KIC leads and orchestrates innovation with a community of more than 400. Together we conduct activities in 39 countries. We partner with cities, regions, governments and communities with the highest climate action ambition; providing the framework and expert support to holistically manage the complexity of climate change and deliver accelerated climate action.

Climate-KIC operates as a not-for-profit platform working through public-private partnership, wielding both public and private funding. We consist of 3 Legal entities: a Dutch BV Holding company (for profit) with 14 branches in European jurisdictions, providing grant management, innovation orchestration services, and impact investment advisory owned by a Dutch-based foundation with charity status – Climate-KIC International Foundation. Historically, we have been funded by our founder and core funder, the European Institute for Innovation and Technology (EIT), but we are currently transitioning to a multi-funder model.

ABOUT THE ROLE

We are seeking a highly strategic and results-driven Commercial Director to lead our commercial business development, revenue growth, and corporate partnerships. The successful candidate will be responsible for developing and executing commercial strategies, developing commercial value propositions and fees-for-service initiatives, managing a portfolio of prospects and key client relationships, driving market expansion, and ensuring the organisation’s financial performance aligns

with its strategic objectives. This role demands natural sales ability and affinity for relationship building and conversion of interest into commitment, strong leadership, excellent stakeholder management, disciplined and a deep understanding of market dynamics.

Key Responsibilities

Strategic Planning and Execution:

• Develop and implement comprehensive commercial strategies in collaboration with teams

across the organisation that align with organisational goals.

• Identify new commercial market opportunities and drive strategic initiatives to diversify and

grow revenue streams.

• Oversee market research, competitor analysis, and customer insights to inform strategic

decision-making.

• Work closely with Communications and Marketing and with Community Team colleagues to

develop and implement audience-led marketing strategies for Climate-KIC activities and

programmes across functions

Revenue Growth and Business Development:

• Lead commercial business development efforts to secure new contracts, partnerships, and

revenue-generating opportunities.

• Liaise with delivery team leads and ecosystem builders to identify and capitalise on potential

sales opportunities

• Develop strong relationships with key stakeholders, including customers, partners, and

industry leaders.

• Negotiate contracts and manage high-value commercial agreements to optimise revenue

and profitability.

Client Relationship Management:

• Manage and strengthen relationships with existing commercial clients, ensuring high levels

of satisfaction and retention.

• Act as a key point of contact for high-profile clients and partners.

• Oversee customer engagement strategies and implement initiatives to enhance client

experience.

Operational Excellence:

• Ensure commercial processes, tools, and practices are streamlined and effective.

• Build a culture of disciplined prospects management, relationship cultivation and

appreciation for the impact potential of commercial relationships.

• Collaborate with cross-functional teams including Finance, Legal, Marketing, and -

Operations to deliver commercial goals.

• Monitor key performance indicators (KPIs) and provide regular reporting on commercial

performance.

Leadership:

• Foster a culture of innovation, accountability, and continuous improvement.

• Adopt a polyarchic style to work with the Leadership Team to provide commercial acumen

and analysis to inform high-level decision-making and communication.

• Work with Cluster Leads to ensure that commerciality lies at the heart of all delivery team

strategies and development plans

Financial and Budget Management:

• Set financial targets and develop strategies to achieve revenue and profitability goals.

• Manage budgets related to commercial operations, ensuring cost efficiency.

Key Working Relationships

• Chief Executive Officer

• Chief Financial Officer

• Climate-KIC Hub Lead

• Leadership Team

• Strategic Partnerships Team and Community Team

• Deal Desk and Programme Management Office

• Delivery teams

• Funders, including EU bodies, national and regional governments, philanthropies and private funders, corporate partners

• Climate-KIC Holding Board and Climate-KIC Foundation Board