Copernicus Project Manager

VITO is an independent Flemish research organisation that leverages science, technology and innovation to accelerate the transition towards a sustainable society. Across a broad range of research domains, we collaborate with companies, governments and other knowledge partners to develop concrete solutions to societal challenges in areas such as climate, the living environment, health, and the sustainable use of materials and resources.

Within our Environmental Intelligence (EI) unit, we bring together data, scientific expertise and innovative technologies to better understand complex environmental and sustainability challenges and translate them into actionable insights and solutions. We investigate how our living environment is changing, how human activities and chemical substances affect people and the environment, and how we can better identify, monitor and manage associated risks.

VITO’s Environmental Intelligence unit turns large volumes of Earth Observation (EO) data into reliable, actionable information for customers worldwide.

Within this unit, our Copernicus Services team develops and operates large-scale, end-to-end EO services for vegetation, land cover and agricultural monitoring. We work in the context of the Copernicus programme and related European and international initiatives, combining scientific expertise, operational EO processing and modern IT infrastructure.

To strengthen our capacity to manage, deliver and further develop these operational services, we are looking for an experienced and highly motivated Copernicus Project Manager.

Your Role at VITO

As a Copernicus Project Manager, you will manage international Earth Observation projects and services for institutional clients and stakeholders such as ECMWF, ESA, EUMETSAT, EEA, FAO and JRC.

You take ownership of projects throughout their full lifecycle, from proposal and project set-up to execution, delivery and final review. You coordinate multidisciplinary teams of researchers, EO experts, IT architects and software engineers and ensure that scientific and technical requirements are translated into reliable, efficient and operational services.

You are the connecting point between the customer, our project partners and the technical team. You keep projects on track in terms of scope, planning, resources, budget, quality and risks, while maintaining a strong focus on user needs and service continuity.

Beyond ongoing projects, you help identify new opportunities and translate VITO’s strategy and technical expertise into new proposals, projects and services.

You will join a dedicated team working at the intersection of Earth Observation, large-scale data processing and environmental monitoring, delivering operational products and services that support public authorities, researchers, industry and users worldwide.

Key responsibilities

• Manage international EO projects and operational services, including scope, planning, budget, deliverables, risks, quality, documentation and reporting.

• Act as the main interface between customers, consortium partners and VITO’s technical teams.

• Coordinate multidisciplinary project teams and keep them aligned around clear objectives, priorities and deadlines.

• Plan and monitor the required resources, including internal expertise and subcontractors.

• Ensure a strong user and customer focus throughout project execution.

• Identify project risks and dependencies early and coordinate appropriate mitigation measures.

• Prepare and coordinate project reviews, reporting and other interactions with institutional stakeholders.

• Identify relevant opportunities and translate them into competitive project proposals together with scientific and technical experts.

• Represent VITO and the project portfolio at international project meetings, workshops and conferences.

• Contribute to the continuous improvement of our project management, software development and operational service processes.

• Stay informed about developments in Earth Observation, Copernicus and the technologies used to operate large-scale EO services.

• You hold a Master’s degree or PhD in science, engineering, ICT or a related field.

• You have at least 5 years of project management experience, preferably in an international technology, research or service environment. Experience with bid or proposal management is an asset.

• You have experience managing projects across their full lifecycle, from planning and project set-up to execution and delivery.

• You have a sound understanding of project management methods. Certification in PM², PRINCE2 or PMP is an asset.

• Experience with Earth Observation, remote sensing, geospatial data or Copernicus services is a strong asset.

• You are comfortable with technically complex projects and can bridge customer requirements, scientific expertise and IT implementation.

• Knowledge of Agile development and DevOps principles is an asset.

• You are proactive and structured, take ownership, and can set priorities and make pragmatic decisions in a complex project environment.

• You communicate effectively with customers, partners and technical experts and are comfortable working in international, multidisciplinary teams.

• You have excellent written and spoken English. Knowledge of Dutch is an asset.

Offer

• We operate in an activity‑based way, meaning your work activities guide where you work. Our headquarter is located in Mol, and we anticipate an average onsite presence of about 50%. We also support flexibility: parttime remote work or working from one of our satellite offices in Antwerp‑Berchem, Genk, Ghent, Leuven, Kortrijk or Ostend is possible.

• A competitive salary with a range of benefits, including allowances, insurance, and a modular package of holidays.

• Innovation is our asset, so it goes without saying that we give our employees the opportunity to take additional training courses and stay up-to-date in their field. You will always have the opportunity to broaden your knowledge and discover new technologies.

• You will have the opportunity to be part of an organization with an international reputation, known for its cutting-edge technological research and scientific consultancy.

• With us, you will contribute directly to sustainable developments at a local, national and global level through your innovative applications. You provide answers to contemporary societal challenges.

• Moreover, we highly value a good work-life balance at VITO! This is achieved by adopting a flexible attitude depending on your specific needs.