Project Manager for Digitalization and SMEs

Job Description

The Netherlands is one of the leaders in digital transformation. That’s great, but at the same time, there’s still a world of opportunity to be tapped. You can help convince small and medium-sized businesses (SMEs) to take the plunge. Many smaller SMEs, in particular, struggle with digital transformation. Think of the opportunities: automating business operations, online marketing, and the smart application of new technologies. But also consider the risks: cybersecurity. Many entrepreneurs wonder what they stand to gain, how to go about it, what constitutes a profitable investment, and how to get their employees on board. For the Netherlands to remain a leader in digitization, these entrepreneurs need to keep up with the times. We’ll convince entrepreneurs by enticing them, letting them learn from other entrepreneurs, and by smartly connecting businesses and educational institutions across the various regions.

As a project manager, you will lead a small team responsible for implementing the “Digital Transformation Acceleration” program. This includes a network of “DIGI workshops” and “My Digital Business,” as well as the Smart Industry Scale-up Agenda. You will be closely involved in the program’s content. This also includes overseeing the EDIHs (European Digital Innovation Hubs), which recently launched with funding from the Ministry of Economic Affairs and Climate Policy (EZK) and the EU. Digitization is a key theme in the sustainable service delivery transformation process that EZK is currently setting up in collaboration with the Chamber of Commerce (KvK), the Netherlands Enterprise Agency (RVO), and Regional Operational Centers (ROMs). You and your team will make a significant contribution to this effort. 

Job Requirements

What will you be doing? 

• You are a project manager and are directly involved in one of the projects: SmartIndustry/Edih's.
• As a project manager, you will lead the team, assign tasks, and ensure that the agreed-upon goals are met. You have a keen eye for strategic development and understand the key issues and priorities related to digitization in your field. You will serve as the primary point of contact for the cluster leader and the responsible management team member.
• You are responsible for the Smart Industry Scale-Up Program (2023–2025). This program focuses specifically on digitalization for the Dutch manufacturing industry. Technologies such as 3D printing, robotics, AI, and Big Data play a role in this. Private parties such as FME and KMU collaborate on this with research institutions such as TNO and with the Ministry of Economic Affairs and Climate Policy (EZK). The EDIHs are an EU initiative and contribute to the scale-up agenda in the Netherlands.
• You won’t be sitting behind a desk at the ministry; instead, you’ll serve as the “eyes and ears” for the Business Climate Directorate on the topic of digitization. You’re an active networker and connector. You stay on top of current developments and use that insight to your advantage in your work and when interacting with your colleagues.
• You are a constructive contributor. Because digitalization also impacts other areas. Drawing on your accumulated knowledge and expertise, you collaborate with colleagues working on other projects, such as improving government services for businesses. 

Skills: 

What skills do you need? 

• Experience with project-based work and coordinating a team’s activities is important. In this role, you must be able to assess the value of substantive developments and translate them into action. You must be able to lead people and take responsibility for achieving your team’s goals.
• Networking. It is a plus if you already have knowledge and experience with policy-making in collaboration with regional partners and representatives of the business community.
• Collaboration. You are a team player, able to handle stress, flexible, proactive, and a natural connector, with a focus on collaboration and finding solutions
• You are an observant and communicative person. You seek out real-world experiences and can translate them into the necessary policies and approaches.
• You have strong verbal communication skills and are a good writer. 

Terms of Employment

• Salary level: Grade 12
• Monthly salary: Min. €4,214 – Max. €6,227 (gross)
• Employment status: Permanent employment contract
• Minimum number of hours per week: 32
• Maximum number of hours per week: 36 

Other terms and conditions of employment

In addition to your salary, you will receive an Individual Choice Budget (ICB). The ICB consists of money (16.37% of your gross annual salary) and time. With the ICB, you can make choices that suit you and customize part of your employment benefits. For example, you can choose to have a portion of your monthly income paid out whenever you wish. You can also convert this budget into leave and vice versa, or spend it on tax-friendly purposes. The Dutch government is strongly committed to personal growth and career development and offers numerous opportunities for this. Secondary employment conditions include various study facilities, company fitness programs, full reimbursement of your public transportation costs for commuting, and partially paid parental leave. 

Details

If you do not (yet) have a permanent position as a civil servant, you will start with a temporary position with the prospect of a permanent one. 

Candidates for reassignment and candidates subject to mandatory job-to-job placement who are not employees of the Ministry of Economic Affairs and Climate Policy or the Ministry of Agriculture, Nature and Food Quality must include a designation decision from the competent authority with their application. 

Colleagues within the central government who are permanent employees may be seconded or transferred while retaining their current employment status. 

• The introductory and selection process consists of at least two rounds of interviews and a final discussion regarding terms of employment.
• The first interviews are scheduled for Thursday, July 20.
• Checking references or conducting an assessment may be part of the selection process. 

What else do we offer you: 

• A pleasant work environment with excellent facilities, just a short walk from the central station.
• Plenty of opportunities to continue developing your skills and specialize.
• We believe it’s important to maintain a good work-life balance. Working hours can be arranged flexibly by mutual agreement.
• If you are hired, hybrid work is an option; you will work partly from home and partly at the office. We believe it is important to have a good home office setup. We therefore offer a subsidy for home office equipment and a work-from-home allowance in accordance with the Central Government Collective Labor Agreement (CAO Rijk). 

After the application deadline, the job posting and the employer’s contact information will no longer be visible online. To avoid having to request this information later, we ask that you download and save the job posting.

We do not accept unsolicited applications for our job openings 

Interested in applying?

The Ministry of Economic Affairs and Climate Policy / Directorate-General for Business and Innovation (DGBI) invites you to apply on their website. Clicking the button below will take you directly to the application form. The government values a diverse and inclusive organization. Working in diverse teams makes us more effective, more innovative, and makes work more enjoyable. Everyone is therefore invited to apply.