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About us

Hop aboard Damen Naval; the naval division of the family-owned Damen Shipyards Group, where 12,000 professionals work worldwide. Damen Naval delivers advanced naval vessels to clients all over the globe. By implementing the most innovative technological developments in practice, we continue to push the boundaries of the shipbuilding industry. You can be part of our team! Are you ready for duty?

The role

As a Project Manager RD&I at Damen Naval, you will be a driving force behind innovation in naval shipbuilding, leading a portfolio of our simultaneous research projects. You will maximize Research, Development & Innovation (RDI) effectiveness in joint industry and public-private collaborations by developing and managing projects, negotiating consortium agreements, and engaging with key stakeholders. This role is about more than just managing a project plan. You will be responsible for optimizing the output of RDI specialists, ensuring that project scope, quality, budget, and timelines are met. You will organize and manage internal and external RDI project teams, serving as a critical representative for Damen Naval to our innovation partners, including government agencies, EU bodies, and research institutes.

Key accountabilities
In this role, your responsibilities will include: 

• Project Leadership & Management: Organize, direct, and control RDI specialists for both external and internal projects.
• Strategic Planning: Develop detailed project plans, ensuring scope, quality, budget, and timelines are met. Identify and address potential risks, developing proactive solutions to keep projects on track.
• Team & Stakeholder Management: Build and manage cross-functional teams, fostering collaboration among researchers, engineers, and specialists. Communicate effectively with external stakeholders, including government agencies, EU bodies, customers, research institutes, and suppliers.
• Performance Monitoring: Monitor progress against targets, take proactive actions when needed, and provide insightful management reports.
• Compliance & Communication: Manage joint industry projects, ensuring compliance with contracts and grants. Represent Damen Naval to tactical stakeholders and contribute to the continuous improvement of departmental processes.
• Knowledge Development: Foster knowledge development, transfer, and retention within the department.

Skills & experience
We are looking for candidates with the following qualifications:

• Bachelor's or Master's degree in a relevant field.
• Over ten years of experience in engineering concepts, project management, and leadership, particularly in complex defense and security vessels.
• Expertise in project management principles, coalition building, and international collaboration.
• Strong competencies in customer orientation, teamwork, behavioral flexibility, leadership, coaching, planning, organizing, and management control.
• A good command of both the Dutch and English languages, written and verbal.
• Excellent references, as a security screening is part of the hiring process.
• Permanent EU citizenship and passport are both required. Candidates with EU (work) visa or with (also) a non-EU nationality and/or passport are not eligible given the requirements imposed by the military nature of our projects.

What we offer
At Damen Naval, we highly value our employees, and we will support your professional and personal development. We also provide our employees with:

• A competitive salary and 8% holiday pay.
• 27 holidays and 13 ADV days.
• Travel allowance of 23 cents per kilometre.
• PME-pension arrangement with an employer contribution of 60%.
• Profit sharing based on company results.
• Flexibility to work from home up to two days a week.
• Additional benefits including a bicycle plan and company fitness.

Application & information

Are you interested in this position, please submit your application including your CV and cover letter, along with an indication of:

• Your (preferred) monthly gross salary based on fulltime work.
• Availability (fulltime / part-time / number of hours).
• Notice period / possible starting date.

For more information about this vacancy or Damen Naval, please visit the Damen Naval website, the Damen Naval Career website or contact the Corporate Recruitment department via +31 118 485 000.

Please note that due to the military nature of our projects, only candidates who have permanent EU nationality can be considered for vacancies at Damen Naval. Unfortunately, we are not allowed to process candidates who (also) have a non-EU passport or nationality.

A pre-employment and security screening and investigation form part of the recruitment process.

Acquisition and introduction of candidates without a formal request is not appreciated and they will not be considered.

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