Valorisation Programme Manager

Your opportunity to make a real mark. Techleap has been asked by the Dutch government to lead the exploration of the Spin-off Game Changers for the valorisation ecosystem, and of a possible national spin-off organisation, and you'll be at the centre of it. It's a founding role for something the Netherlands has never had.

The Netherlands has great science. Dutch researchers are among the most-cited in the world. But that doesn't translate into spin-offs at the rate you'd expect. The country has set an ambition to quadruple its spin-off output by 2035, and this role exists to help make that possible.

You'll operate at the intersection of science, entrepreneurship and policy, with direct access to university leadership, deep tech founders, investors and ministries.

What you'll be doing

You're not starting from zero. Techleap did initial work in spring 2026 identifying the ecosystem's bottlenecks and potential interventions to remove them. Your job is to build on that: map global best practice and the boldest new ideas being tested elsewhere (and bring your own), then determine the highest-leverage solutions to the system's real problems - fragmented deal processes, weak career incentives for academic founders, slow funding pathways, a system built for incremental innovation, an aversion to risk-taking, and thin scouting capacity.

You'll work directly with ecosystem frontrunners: universities, incubators, TTOs, investors and founders, bringing them along while pushing for real ambition and experimentation rather than settling for consensus. Your findings become concrete action plans for the Ministry of Economic Affairs and Climate (EZK) and for Techleap.

Who you are

Our ideal candidate embodies most of the qualities listed below. If you don't meet every requirement but believe you're the right fit, we encourage you to make your case.

Your profile

• Demonstrated understanding of the spin-off process, ideally from the inside - as a founder, TTO/KTO professional, or incubator manager who has worked closely with academic spin-outs.
• While you know the spin-off process from the inside, what excites you is redesigning the system.
• 5-8+ years of relevant experience.
• A track record of turning complex analysis into reports and action plans that lead to actual decisions.
• A track record of mobilising senior stakeholders without formal authority.
• Confident running workshops, moderating panels, and presenting to senior audiences.
• A sharp, structured writer.
• Comfortable working in ambiguity, inside an organisation that is itself still being built.
• International experience in valorisation.

Preferred qualifications

• A network in the Dutch valorisation or deep tech ecosystem (TTOs, ROMs, NWO, RVO, Yes!Delft, QuantumDelta NL, PhotonDelta).
• Familiarity with IP deal structures, cap tables, Professors' Privilege and state-aid considerations.
• Experience with European programmes or communities (EIC, EIT, Rise Europe).
• A background in a deep tech domain (life sciences, quantum, semiconductors, agri-food).
• Prior experience building or scaling a programme from an early stage.
• Dutch language skills - most ecosystem partners operate in Dutch.

How you work

• Instigate: You spot what needs to happen and make it happen, without waiting for a fully defined brief or for permission.
• Synthesise: You turn what you hear from scientists, founders, investors and policymakers into clear, structured insight others can act on.
• Challenge: You're bold enough to leave laggards behind and put your energy where it actually moves the system.
• Connect: You build relationships with frontrunners across a fragmented ecosystem, and use them to get things done.

Your Success in 6 Months

• A landscape review of international best practice and emerging game changers, with a shortlisted set of high-leverage interventions.
• A first action plan delivered to EZK and Techleap leadership.
• Working relationships established with key university, TTO, incubator and investor stakeholders.
• At least one intervention moved from idea to a concrete, actionable proposal.

What we offer

• A salary between €5,800 - €6,500 gross per month (40 hours week)
• 8% holiday allowance
• 15% pension allowance for you to allocate
• Laptop provided by Techleap
• €100/month work from home allowance
• Travel allowance
• Unlimited holidays
• Hybrid working setup, minimum 3 days in office or on location
• 1 year contract, minimum 4 days/week

As part of our mission, we build safe communities that foster diverse, inclusive and equitable collaboration - and that includes our employees. We’re taking on exciting challenges for founders and Dutch society, and we only succeed with a team that represents an inclusive and diverse set of identities and backgrounds.

Ready to make an impact?

If you are motivated by shaping the Dutch valorisation ecosystem and systems that help early-stage founders succeed, we look forward to hearing from you.