Head of Knowledge Transfer Office (KTO), Driver of Valorization for TU/e

Job description

The Knowledge Transfer Office (KTO) of the TU/e works closely with both staff and students in the faculties and institutes and realizes knowledge valorization by scouting ideas at the faculties, stimulating and guiding (potential) entrepreneurs, connecting technology with societal challenges, strategic collaboration with partners and the open campus approach.

Due to the departure of the current manager, we are looking for a manager who takes ownership in a broad sense for supporting and guiding scientific staff and entrepreneurial students in all aspects that play a role in converting a business idea into a company and valorizing knowledge in a broader sense.

Trust, visibility, quality and connection are important principles. The manager's work and activities flow from these principles but also leave a lot of room for own ideas and input.

Assignment and result expectation

The manager's success will be measured, among other things, by the customer satisfaction of the target groups, the visibility of the KTO and the demonstrable impact within the ecosystem, expressed among other things in number of scalable startups.

Knowledge and experience requirements

• Academic work and thinking level, preferably in (high-)tech domain
• Experience in a managerial position in compact teams in a complex business or academic environment
• Experience as founder/entrepreneur, preferably in high-tech start-up environment
• Experience with knowledge transfer, funding, business development and intellectual property in an academic context
• Excellent command of both the Dutch and English language

Personality requirements

The new Head KTO is a solid and connecting manager with well-developed empathy who is able to build and maintain strong relationships both internally and externally. You have a good strategic foundation and excellent communication and connecting skills and know how to persuade outside an existing hierarchy and power resources. Based on entrepreneurial experience, you are able to (pre)see and fathom business opportunities.
As a people manager, you are clear in setting frameworks and have a coaching and connecting style of leadership.
At the same time, you are an inspiring team player who acts as coach and figurehead for the KTO.  Vision, guts, ambition, humour, enthusiasm and creativity are essential qualifications in this respect.

Offer / Conditions of employment

The conditions of employment for this role are in line with the content and weight of the position and dependent on the candidate's background and experience.
The salary offered is minimum € 7,160 to maximum € 9,232 gross per month for a full-time appointment in accordance with scale 15 of the Collective Labour Agreement of Dutch Universities. The TU/e also offers an attractive package of fringe benefits, such as a year-end bonus equivalent to an extra monthly salary, 41 days of holiday for a 40-hour full-time working week, an attractive pension scheme (ABP), a contribution towards travel expenses, a telephone and laptop, excellent sports facilities and an optional benefits model. Also possibility of hybrid working, internet and home working allowance.

Background information

Eindhoven University of Technology is a leading international university that educates engineers of the future and pushes the boundaries of science and technology for a better world. An international community of close to 7,000 employees and 13,000 students work and study on the vibrant and inspiring campus.

Knowledge valorization is the third core task of TU/e next to Education and Research. As part of the new TU/e Institutional Plan, the Valorization Strategy of the TU/e has been reviewed. The following 4 strategic pillars were chosen:

• Knowledge Transfer
• Entrepreneurship
• Knowledge with and for Society
• Open Campus

Startup support is an essential part of the “Entrepreneurship” pillar. By creating and supporting spinoffs, TU/e contributes to the economic growth of the Brainport region. TU/e staff and TU/e students need accessible guidance in discovering and setting up their ventures.

Important principles of the Knowledge Transfer Office (KTO) are:

Visibility KTO

Visibility is needed for the purpose of connecting with the external network and for the knowledge needed by staff and students at the ventures. The aim is to have a vibrant hub of entrepreneurship at the heart of the TU/e.

Quality of service must be of a high level

Valorization requires strong competencies: being a good sparring partner in terms of content, being able to see and understand the business.

Connection: university and external partners are breathlessly connected. The impressive diversity of topics, business models, and ambitions of spinoffs and startups necessitates the involvement of an equally diverse group of experts, companies, and institutions: the university does not cover something this broad alone. Productive connections for spinoffs through TU/e connected networks should therefore be able to be made on a daily basis.

The services for TU/e spinoffs are designed based on the above principles. These services demand a lot from the people and organization involved. Researchers and students are supported proactively and efficiently. Ventures receive structured guidance where possible and necessary, including in on-site incubation programs.

Information and application

The recruitment process is supervised by Ceciel Gijsbers of Euflex. For more information, she can be contacted by phone at +31 651164692 or e-mail: [email protected]. A more profound job profile is available upon request.

Applications will be processed immediately upon receipt.

Apply via the following link: https://www.euflex.nl/vacatures/head-of-knowledge-transfer-office-kto-driver-of-valorization-for-tu-e/