Innovation Operations & Finance Specialist

Job Description Summary

The Innovation Operations & Finance Specialist is responsible for the financial and operational management of externally funded research and innovation projects, including EU-funded programs such as Horizon Europe, IHI, and IMI, as well as national funding schemes, public-private partnerships, and international collaborations.
The role ensures accurate financial reporting, effective grant administration, compliance with funding and contractual requirements, and audit readiness throughout the full project lifecycle. Working closely with Finance, Controllership, Legal, R&D, Compliance, Program Management teams, and external consortium partners, the specialist supports project execution, budget oversight, contract and grant management, stakeholder coordination, and reporting activities.
The position plays a key role in maintaining compliance with donor regulations, managing project documentation, supporting audits, and driving continuous process improvements to ensure transparent, compliant, and timely project delivery. The ideal candidate brings experience in project finance, grants management, or innovation operations, strong analytical and organizational skills, and the ability to independently manage multiple priorities while collaborating effectively across global teams in a fast-paced international environment.

Job Description

Key Responsibilities

1. Financial Ownership & Reporting

• Lead financial reporting activities for EU- and nationally funded projects, ensuring accuracy, completeness, timeliness, and compliance with donor rules and internal controls.
• Prepare periodic financial statements, cost claims, justifications, and supporting documentation in line with applicable funding regulations.
• Monitor budget consumption, eligible costs, cost allocation, and partner expenditures; identify risks, deviations, and mitigation actions.
• Review and validate cost claims from internal teams and external consortium partners.
• Support financial forecasting, budget reallocations, and project amendments during execution.
• Maintain all financial records in a continuous audit‑ready state.

2. Project Operations & Coordination

• Support the day‑to‑day operational execution of externally funded innovation projects across their full lifecycle.
• Track project milestones, deliverables, and reporting timelines.
• Maintain comprehensive project documentation and coordinate timely submission of financial and technical reports to funding bodies.
• Support preparation of project amendments, extensions, and contractual updates.
• Facilitate effective collaboration between internal stakeholders and external partners.

3. Contracts, Grants & Consortium Management

• Coordinate grant agreements, subcontracting activities, and contractual documentation in close cooperation with Legal, Finance, and Program teams.
• Support preparation and review of Collaboration Agreements, Data Sharing Agreements, and Subrecipient Agreements.
• Act as a primary operational and financial point of contact within multinational consortia.
• Maintain a centralized, structured repository of grants, contracts, amendments, and compliance documentation.

4. Compliance, Quality & Governance

• Ensure compliance with EU funding rules, national regulations, donor requirements, and internal policies.
• Support internal and external audits, including preparation of documentation, financial evidence, and responses to audit queries.
• Proactively identify compliance risks and support corrective actions.
• Contribute to governance activities that ensure transparent and compliant execution of funded programs.

5. Process Improvement & Knowledge Sharing

• Contribute to the standardization and continuous improvement of financial and operational processes related to external funding.
• Support development of reporting templates, operational guidelines, and best practices.
• Provide informal guidance and knowledge sharing to new team members and cross‑functional stakeholders.
• Identify and implement opportunities to streamline workflows, enhance reporting quality, and improve operational efficiency.
   

Required Qualifications

Education

• Bachelor’s or Master’s degree in Finance, Accounting, Economics, Business Administration, Project Management, or a related field, or equivalent professional experience.

Professional Experience

• Proven experience in financial reporting, project finance, grants management, or innovation/project operations. This role is intended for an experienced individual contributor who can operate independently within established processes and frameworks, while continuing to develop their expertise.
• Hands‑on experience with externally funded projects (EU, national, or international).
• Experience in a multinational, cross‑functional corporate environment preferred.
• Strong familiarity with EU-funded programs (e.g., Horizon Europe, IHI, IMI, Digital Europe etc.) is highly desirable.

Skills & Competencies

• Strong financial acumen and analytical skills with the ability to interpret complex funding and eligibility rules.
• Solid understanding of financial reporting, compliance, and audit requirements.
• Excellent organizational and project coordination skills.
• Advanced Excel skills; experience with ERP systems (e.g., SAP) is an advantage.
• Excellent written and verbal English communication skills.
• High attention to detail, accuracy, and documentation discipline.
• Ability to manage multiple priorities and meet deadlines in a dynamic environment.
• Ability to work independently and collaboratively across global, multicultural teams.

Desired Characteristics

• Proactive, solution‑oriented mindset with strong accountability.
• Flexibility and resilience in complex stakeholder environments.
• Strong commitment to operational excellence and continuous improvement.
• Experience in healthcare, medical technology, or R&D environments is an advantage.
• Familiarity with consortium‑based project structures and public–private partnerships.

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Additional Information