Program Director, Climate & Energy

As a key player within our Strategy and Initiatives division, you’ll have the opportunity to shape the future of Eindhoven. You’ll lead the groundbreaking Climate and Energy program, actively work toward impactful sustainability goals, design the energy ecosystem of tomorrow, and forge strong partnerships with city stakeholders. If you believe you can make a difference in this crucial transition, we’d love to hear from you!

What will you do for Eindhoven?

The brand-new Strategy and Challenges (S&O) division serves as the linchpin of our organization. It oversees the development and implementation of strategic initiatives, from conception through execution and monitoring. The Climate and Energy Program sets out the approach and goals for sustainability through approximately 2035, including climate mitigation, adaptation, and circularity. Key focus areas include future energy infrastructure, the transition to a gas-free environment, and the establishment of a public energy company. Effective climate action requires innovative forms of collaboration with urban partners and presents new challenges in governance and contract formation.

The program director is expected, among other things, to:

• Explores and applies for federal funding for climate initiatives, such as BO MIEK and the Climate Fund.
• Negotiating European funding for the climate-neutral cities initiative.
• The Brainport ecosystem promotes innovative climate solutions and fosters relationships with startup initiatives and knowledge partners.
• Provides strategic advice on the public sector’s role in a sustainable energy company and local energy infrastructures.
• Establish a program organization within R&D that works closely with the line organization.

Roozbeh Nikdel, Head of Energy Transition & Circularity, says: “The climate challenge requires the municipality to take a strong leadership role, as developments around us are unfolding at a rapid pace. We need to be able to adapt while keeping our goals firmly in sight. I am proud that, together with a passionate team, we are working every day to make the city future-proof.”

Who do you do that with?

• With the municipal administration and political leadership on policy matters, to contribute to and influence effective municipal/group policy in relation to the portfolio of programs;
• With senior municipal management and contractors both within and outside the municipality regarding the content, approach, and implementation of the portfolio and programs. This includes matters related to conflicts of interest, financial cost-sharing formulas and contributions, risk management, and planning, with the aim of reaching agreement on coherent arrangements;
• With national, international, and regional governments, the business community, and other organizations to secure funding, obtain contributions, and build support for the development and implementation of strategic program objectives. Also to communicate policy principles and take positions;
• Working with clients to build support for the (long-term) implementation, and, in the event of deviations, making changes to the portfolio and to individual components to ensure their successful delivery;
• Working with municipalities, the business community, other organizations, and working groups on the development and implementation of the program; securing additional contributions and resources; discussing and resolving conflicts of interest; negotiating; entering into contracts; and establishing and implementing partnerships.

How do you make it happen?

• You possess an academic level of work and thinking, along with specialized knowledge in the field of sustainability and energy transition, and you are seeking a strategic leadership role. Management experience is preferred.
• You are skilled at managing and overseeing programs within a complex political and administrative context, where collaboration with various internal and external parties is essential. Resilience under pressure is one of your strengths.
• You have a thorough understanding of the field of sustainability and grasp the interrelationships and interdependencies among its various subfields. You are also familiar with the related disciplines with which collaboration is required.
• Personal leadership, responsibility, and persuasiveness are qualities that define you.
• You have a deep understanding of strategic policy, with a broad perspective on the organizational, societal, and professional contexts.
• You are no stranger to managing politically sensitive organizational units.
• You excel at networking—both at the administrative and management levels—as well as representing and negotiating at the national, international, and regional levels.
• You are skilled at building support and can effectively communicate programs, goals, and consequences.
• You have a broad understanding of the field and related policy issues and disciplines.
• You are familiar with financial and economic processes and have a good understanding of topics such as investments, business operations, and budget cycles.

If you don’t yet have experience in some of the above-mentioned areas, but you see yourself in the role of Climate and Energy Program Director, we encourage you to apply. We’d be happy to discuss with you how we can help you grow in this role.

How can we make you happy?

A job where you can make a difference in the city of Eindhoven and make a tangible contribution to a sustainable future. Plus, an informal organizational culture that values a healthy work-life balance. You can also count on:

• a one-year contract. If both parties are satisfied, it will be converted into a permanent contract;
• a salary in pay grade 15;
• 26 vacation days per year (if you work full-time). In addition, you can accrue compensatory time off, allowing you to take a total of about 10 weeks of leave per year. If you work part-time, this is, of course, prorated;
• a discretionary allowance equal to 17.05% of your gross salary. This includes, among other things, vacation pay and a year-end bonus;
• a reimbursement if you travel by public transportation. Or a reimbursement if you travel “green”—that is, if you walk, bike, or ride an e-bike;
• opportunities for personal development through courses and training;
• a workspace in downtown Eindhoven. And the flexibility to work at one of the city’s offices, on-site, or from home.

If you are an internal applicant, you are already familiar with the terms and conditions of employment, so not all of the text may apply to you.

Will you make it happen for Eindhoven?

Together, we shape Eindhoven. A global player brimming with knowledge, creativity, and expertise. And energy. With that same energy, we’re working to build the city of today and the future. Working for the City of Eindhoven is diverse, hands-on, and meaningful.

For most positions, including this one, hybrid work is an option. As a result, employees will work less from the office and more online. This means less travel time and fewer trips. Do you have the right expertise, but live a bit further away? If so, we warmly invite you to apply for this exciting role!

Diversity and inclusion are very important to us. We have room for everyone. We embrace the differences among our employees. Ideally, we want those differences to be just as diverse as those in our city and region. Because it is precisely because we are different that we can make our big plans a reality together. Want to know what it’s like to work with us? Then read our employees’ stories at www.werkenvooreindhoven.nl.

Interested in applying?

The City of Eindhoven is being assisted in this process by the executive search firm Colourful People. You can apply by uploading your resume by October 15 at the latest via colourfulpeople.nl.

If you have any questions, please contact René F. Burgler, Esq., senior partner at ColourfulPeople, at r.burgler@colourfulpeople.nl or by phone at 06 28 57 54 36.

The Schedule

The preliminary interviews at Colourful People will take place during weeks 42 and 43

The selection interviews at the City of Eindhoven will take place in November on dates to be determined.

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