Grant Manager & Coordinator

We are looking for a Grant Manager & Coordinator to join our team and play a central role in the company's European R&D strategy. This position is designed as a launchpad for a senior career path: the right candidate will grow into roles such as R&D Manager, Alliance Manager, or Programme Director within 2–3 years, taking ownership of the company's strategic positioning across European funding ecosystems.

You will lead the identification, preparation, and management of funded project opportunities with a strong focus on Horizon Europe and ESA programmes (including BASS, InCubed, ARTES, and ScaleUp). You will also work across national and regional frameworks, cascade funding mechanisms, and defence-related calls.

This is not a back-office role. You will be the company's voice in consortia, at agency meetings, and at networking events. You will build relationships with research centres, SMEs, large industries, and institutional partners across Europe. You will coordinate proposals end-to-end, manage running projects, and contribute directly to the company's business development.

We are looking for someone who is passionate about the European R&D landscape, thrives under pressure, and is ready to commit fully to a fast-paced, high-impact role. If you see grant management not as paperwork but as a strategic growth engine, this is the position for you.

Chosen candidate is a self driven person, able to work without supervision, able to reach target, passionate about innovation, financial, EU environment.

• Monitor and analyse funding opportunities across Horizon Europe, ESA (BASS, InCubed, ARTES, ScaleUp), EDF, national (PNRR, MiSE, MUR), regional, and cascade funding programmes
• Lead the end-to-end proposal preparation process: consortium building, work plan design, budget preparation, and submission
• Develop and maintain a strategic network of partners including universities, research centres, space agencies, SMEs, and large system integrators
• Coordinate post-award project management activities: reporting, deliverables, financial tracking, and consortium coordination
• Represent the company at agency meetings, brokerage events, info days, and partner workshops across Europe
• Align funding opportunities with the company's technology roadmap and business development strategy
• Manage internal communication flows between technical, administrative, and management teams during proposal and project phases
• Maintain an organised database of calls, deadlines, consortium contacts, and project documentation

• Minimum 2 years of hands-on experience in grant management, EU project coordination, or funded R&D programmes
• Direct experience with at least one successful proposal to Horizon Europe or ESA
• Strong knowledge of European funding ecosystems, proposal evaluation criteria, and project lifecycle management
• Excellent written and spoken English (C1 or above); Italian is a strong plus
• Proven ability to manage multiple deadlines, coordinate cross-functional teams, and work under pressure
• Availability for short business trips (2–5 days) across Europe for agency meetings and networking events
• Strong organisational skills, attention to detail, and structured approach to documentation

• Experience with European Defence Fund (EDF) or dual-use funding programmes
• Familiarity with cascade funding, FSTP mechanisms, and regional innovation funds
• Existing network of contacts within ESA, the European Commission, or national space agencies (ASI, CNES, DLR)
• Background in engineering, aerospace, ICT, or environmental sciences
• Experience with project management tools (MS Project, Gantt charts, EU Participant Portal)
• Knowledge of financial reporting standards for EU-funded projects (cost models, audit requirements)

• Dedication and commitment: this role requires a proactive, self-driven attitude — we are looking for someone who takes full ownership of their work and is willing to go the extra mile
• Strong communication skills: you will be the company's interface with external partners, agencies, and consortia — clear, professional, and persuasive communication is essential
• Organisational discipline: ability to manage complex, parallel workflows with strict deadlines without losing sight of the details
• Resilience under pressure: proposal deadlines are non-negotiable — you need to stay focused and deliver quality work even in high-pressure situations
• Intellectual curiosity: genuine interest in the European R&D landscape, emerging technologies, and innovation policy
• Team spirit with leadership potential: ability to work collaboratively while gradually taking on more responsibility and guiding junior team members
• Ability to work without supervision
• On target focus