Strategic Portfolio Designer

at  ClimateKIC

Job Title: Strategic Portfolio Designer
Team: The Hub
Contract: Ongoing
Level: Advanced
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.

EXPERIENCE

• Systems Expertise: Proficiency in systems thinking, sensemaking, and complexity analysis in multi-stakeholder environments.
• Strategic Design Experience: Demonstrated ability to design and implement strategies that align initiatives with larger systems goals.
• Analytical and Insight-Driven: Skilled at synthesising diverse data into actionable recommendations.
• Exceptional Storytelling: Ability to craft compelling systems narratives that communicate the interconnected value of portfolios.
• Collaborative Leadership: Experienced in facilitating cross-functional teams and enabling alignment in complex systems.
• Knowledge of climate innovation or systemic transformation in sustainability is highly desirable.

SKILLS

• Fluent in English
• Experience or willingness to work with collaborative IT applications (we use Office365 and Microsoft Teams, as well as Miro, Zoom, Mentimeter etc.)
• Systems thinking and pattern finding
• Innovation Leadership
• Collaboration and Facilitation
• Storytelling and communication for narratives that articulate systemic impact.
• Change Management

ABOUT THE ROLE

Climate-KIC is seeking a Strategic Designer to embed systems thinking and strategic alignment across our portfolio/s. This role will enable Clusters, to sensemake within complex systems, align projects with broader strategic goals, and generate actionable insights that drive systemic change in addressing climate challenges.
The Portfolio Strategic Designer will work at the intersection of strategy, innovation, and execution, ensuring portfolio/s are cohesive, data-informed, and primed to deliver meaningful impact within the climate innovation landscape.