Projects Team Manager

Are you interested in the energy transition and overcoming the challenges it brings to the power sector? Are you keen to lead a team’s work on European research and innovation projects in the field of smart grid development and related sectors, such as e-mobility? Then this position might be right for you!

European Distribution System Operators (E.DSO), the Brussels-based association of leading electricity distribution system operators (DSOs), is looking for a new Projects Team Manager.

Purpose of the role

Leading a projects team carrying out European-funded projects (Horizon, Interreg, etc.) in line with the ambition of our DSO members: ensuring the robustness of distribution grids, promoting consumer empowerment, and stimulating electrification and the uptake of clean energy sources, all while researching new and improved approaches to the working of electricity distribution grids. In this role, you will have the chance to manage a team carrying out an assortment of EU-funded projects and apply for new project opportunities, while at the same time actively working directly on a number of projects’ activities.

Key duties

The Projects Team Manager takes the lead in:

• Coordinate the EU projects team
• Ensuring that activities undertaken by E.DSO in the projects in which it is a member of the consortium are on track
• Managing project assignments and workload allocation in the projects team, forecasting as appropriate
• Contributing to the overall budgeting of the project contributions to E.DSO’s annual budget
• Ensuring appropriate coordination between projects
• Working with a senior staff member on proposals and their coordination, setting topical priorities for the projects team, obtaining appropriate input from relevant E.DSO committees
• Coordinating with the project team members who have committee management responsibilities to ensure effective input or knowledge sharing to/from committees where relevant
• Keeping the Secretary General updated and bringing salient issues for his attention/decision
• Liaising with the Governance & Administration Director appropriately on administrative and financial matters
• Serving as the primary point of contact/interlocutor with E.DSO’s consultant that carries out certain administrative and financial tasks as per an annual contract and provides some advice and training for E.DSO’s projects management, ensuring a smooth coordination with E.DSO’s accountant and the consultant.

The Projects Team Manager also is responsible for his/her own project(s) work:

• Performing research tasks on regulatory and technical topics related to assigned projects; drafting reports; actively contributing and/or coordinating project meetings and activities
• Disseminating project results through the organisation of webinars, drafting of articles and publications and contribution to conferences and events
• Engaging with key stakeholders in the energy industry and policymakers; contributing to communication activities
• Carrying out technical and financial project management tasks on assigned projects.

Other:

• The Projects Team Manager may be assigned to assist one task force from the Technology & Knowledge Sharing Committee, depending on need and interest.

Required skills and experience

• Relevant master’s degree (e.g. engineering, energy policy or law, project management; a relevant bachelor’s degree with sufficient experience can also be suitable)
• Previous working experience with EU-funded projects, particularly Horizon Europe is essential, experience in other programmes such as Interreg, Digital Europe, LIFE, etc. is a plus
• Relevant experience in the electricity sector, with grids sector experience particularly advantageous
• Proven interest and understanding of topics related to the energy transition, including digitalisation, electrification, and customer empowerment
• Team management experience strongly advantageous
• Strong team spirit and ability to work in an international environment
• Proactive, organised and capable of taking initiative as part of a small team where every member is essential
• Great communication skills and fluency in spoken and written English.

What we offer

• A full time, open-end contract (CDI)
• Competitive benefits package, including group insurances (including pension plan), supplemental health insurances and other benefits
• Support for professional development with opportunities for training and growth
• Structural telework options to support a flexible work-life balance
• Multicultural environment among colleagues with diverse professional backgrounds.

How to apply

To apply for this position please send your CV and a cover letter in English to charles.esser@edsoforsmartgrids.eu with the subject heading “PTM Application – [Your Name, Surname]”. This will be a rolling application process, so candidates will be selected and interviewed as applications arrive. The ideal starting date for the selected candidate is September 2025.

E.DSO is an equal-opportunity and family-friendly employer. We encourage applications from a diverse range of candidates.

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