Business Development Manager (Social Ecology and Sustainability)

European Association for Innovation in Local Development

About the Organisation

AEIDL, the European Association for Innovation in Local Development, is seeking to recruit a Business Development Manager (Social Ecology and Sustainability) in the field of social ecology, environmental sustainability, and community-led transition.AEIDL is an association that learns from and fosters community-led innovation in areas such as territorial development, employment, entrepreneurship, social inclusion, environment, climate action and green growth.

We add value by supporting and facilitating peer learning among local and national actors across Europe, analysing and evaluating relevant EU policies and advocating for enhanced support to community local action to help build a Europe for citizens.

About the role

The Business Development Manager (Social Ecology and Sustainability) will work under the supervision of the Managing Director on all tasks necessary for new project acquisition. We welcome applications from candidates looking for either a freelance or an employee post.

Responsibilities

• Conduct research to identify new opportunities, partners, and experts
• Advise on BD strategy, staying abreast of policy developments, and identifying business diversification opportunities
• Engage with partners and experts on the operational level to ensure proper execution of bidding
• Take ownership of operational and administrative tasks required for bidding
• Draft sections of technical proposals
• Co-responsible for data collection and internal reporting
• Support in maintaining AEIDL's existing network and in building new contacts, including working with ELIF
• Project managed two EU-funded action grants: GRACE (Horizon Europe) and FINESTIA (LIFE) 

Skills, Competencies & Experience

Essential Skills & Experience:

• 3-5 years of relevant professional experience
• Minimum two years’ experience in the design, planning, preparation and coordination of EU-funded tenders or grants
• Project management experience, including contractual, budgetary and administrative aspects
• Thematic expertise relevant to AEIDL's GECA portfolio, in areas such as: sustainable local development, climate resilience, social ecology, environmental sustainability, community-led transition, nature-based solutions or closely related fields
• Project management experience, including contractual, budgetary and administrative aspects
• Strong work ethic, dedication, initiative and ability to set and meet hard deadlines with quality work
• Ability to operate within international and multicultural teams
• A strong team player able to manage other people's inputs
• Flexibility and ability to change pace/ react quickly to market developments
• Fluency in English (oral and written)

Desirable Skills:

• Knowledge of local development approaches and programmes in Europe
• Knowledge of the EU policy cycle, programming and funding instruments
• Experience in designing and delivering capacity building and training activities for a range of stakeholders, including local or regional authorities
• Experience in communication, dissemination and stakeholder engagement

Required Qualifications

• University degree in environmental science, environmental policy, social ecology, sustainability science, or another relevant field. We will consider other educational backgrounds with equivalent processional experience in one of the core areas

Compensation & Benefits

• 20 days of annual leave, 12 days of compensatory rest, 10 Belgian bank holidays, as well as Europe Day, equivalent to up to 43 days of annual paid leave. 
• 13th month
• Double holiday pay
• Home-working allowance
• Meal vouchers and a contribution to local transportation costs. 
• Private pension plan and a high-coverage hospitalisation insurance.

Working locations

• Brussels, Belgium

How to apply

• Send your CV in English in the Europass format with a short cover letter to [email protected] with the subject line Business Development and Project Manager by Monday, 17th December 2025 at 18h.

Interviews

• Please note that only shortlisted candidates will be contacted, and that interviews may begin before the closing date. Early applications are encouraged.

Policies

The personal data contained in applications sent in response to job offers are collected and recorded by AEIDL’s HR/KM departments in accordance with the General Data Protection Regulations concerning the protection of personal data. These data will be processed by authorised persons only to be able to assess your application for potential recruitment and will be kept for the time necessary to achieve this purpose. You may request access to your personal data and, if necessary, have it corrected. You also have the right to have them deleted, transferred, request a limitation of their processing or to object to it.

Return to listing