Ecosystem Lead for Southern Europe based in Bolzano, Italy

About 28DIGITAL 28DIGITAL is Europe’s digital innovation engine, a multi-stakeholder platform, rooted in European values and open to the world, we turn knowledge into innovation, scale startups into global ventures, and build the next generation of digital talent to shape a fair, competitive, and human-centric digital future. We work at the intersection of science, business, and society, transforming breakthroughs in AI, cybersecurity, robotics, and advanced computing into solutions that strengthen Europe’s sovereignty, accelerate the green transition, and improve lives. For more information, visit www.28digital.eu. The role The Ecosystem Lead supports the Regional Director in the development, impact and sustainability of the ecosystem partnership, as well as the Innovation and Education activities of ecosystem partners. This includes supporting the recruitment, retention, and engagement of 28DIGITAL partners, facilitating collaboration with local stakeholders and authorities, and strengthening 28DIGITAL’s footprint. Based at NOI Techpark in Bolzano, the Ecosystem Lead plays a key role in connecting the South Tyrol innovation ecosystem with 28DIGITAL's pan-European network, supporting local startups, companies and research institutions in accessing innovation, business development and education opportunities. The Ecosystem Lead supports ecosystem partners, particularly NOI Techpark, coordinates local initiatives and events, and ensures the operational excellence of innovation and education activities. The Ecosystem Lead reports to the Regional Director. Main Responsibilities
• Support the ecosystem partnership development in collaboration with the Director:
• through acquisition and retention of partners;
• through recruitment of students for the 28DIGITAL Education activities and;
• through engagement of partnership in the 28DIGITAL Innovation activities.
• Focus on the 28DIGITAL ecosystem in the country/region of responsibility;
• Support the ecosystem partners, and particularly NOI Techpark’s ecosystem, in accessing opportunities provided by 28DIGITAL and its Network;
• By acting as the liaison between the local ecosystem and the pan-European ecosystem of 28DIGITAL, the territorial scope of the activities to be carried out by the Ecosystem Lead may not be limited to the country or region where he/she will perform his/her daily activities but could be extended to other countries or regions;
• Lead the new grant and income acquisition via EU/National/Regional grant proposals and commercial tenders;
• Lead operational aspects of the 28DIGITAL Innovation and Education activities in close collaboration with the Director and 28DIGITAL’s innovation and education Leads;
• Manage 28DIGITAL events;
• Supervise and execute administrative, financial reporting, and logistical processes. Qualifications and Experience
• EU citizenship;
• Good understanding of Digital Technologies and trends;
• At least 3 years’ experience in operational management role in R&D or innovation organization;
• Articulate and confident. Languages Fluent Italian (or German) and English is required. Additional EU languages is an asset. Place of employment Full time position. The preferred location for the position is Bolzano, at NOI Techpark. Applicant may be required for occasional travel to other 28DIGITAL European offices. To Apply 28DIGITAL is an equal opportunity employer and values diversity. To build a strong digital Europe that works for everyone it is vital that we have diverse range of skills, knowledge and experience in the sector. Therefore, we welcome applications from anyone who meets the above criteria and encourage applications from women, ethnic minorities, and other underrepresented groups.