CAREERS AT ESEIA

ESEIA, the European Sustainable Energy Innovation Alliance, is a leading European non-profit organisation in the field of sustainable energy systems. Headquartered in Graz, Austria, with an office in Brussels, ESEIA has 21 member organisations in 11 European countries, representing 12 Higher Education Institutions, four research organisations and five businesses.

We are committed to achieving energy targets by 2034 and are systematically working towards this goal. If you want to make a difference and help us fulfil our mission of creating a more efficient, affordable and sustainable energy system in Europe, then we would love to hear from you.

We’re Hiring: ESEIA R&I Programme Manager

The European Sustainable Energy Innovation Alliance – ESEIA is expanding its team and is looking for an experienced Research & Innovation (R&I) Programme Manager to join its Brussels Office.

This is an exciting opportunity for a motivated professional with a strong interest in European research and innovation, renewable energy, and EU policy to contribute to ESEIA’s mission of advancing sustainable energy systems for climate neutrality.

Working in alignment with the ESEIA Director and Team, the successful candidate will contribute to the implementation of ESEIA’s strategic activities by maintaining relationships with Brussels-based stakeholders, coordinating ESEIA’s Working Groups, supporting the Alliance’s Work Programme, engaging in EU policy development and funding opportunities, contributing to education and training activities, and working closely with ESEIA’s communications staff to strengthen the Alliance’s profile.

How to Apply:

Submit your application in English, including your CV (Europass format), motivation letter, and R&I project portfolio to ESEIA Director Brigitte Hasewend at office@eseia.eu by 15 September 2026, 23:59 CEST.

Find more details about the role: ESEIA R&I Programme Manager 2026

WHY JOIN ESEIA?

Joining ESEIA means joining a diverse team of dedicated professionals driven by a common goal and experiencing a workplace culture that encourages collaboration and innovation and supports learning and career development. We pride ourselves on being a dynamic organisation where everyone can thrive.

Meaningful Work

By joining ESEIA, you will have the opportunity to contribute to the development of innovative solutions that address key energy challenges of our time.

Collaborative Team

As part of the ESEIA team, you will collaborate and learn from colleagues with a wide range of expertise who value teamwork, diverse perspectives, and open communication.

Professional Growth

In addition to working on innovative projects, you will have numerous personal and professional development opportunities to learn and challenge yourself.

ESEIA BENEFITS AND CAREER DEVELOPMENT OPPORTUNITIES

ESEIA rewards your contribution. Working for ESEIA you have access to a range of benefits which enhance your work experience, foster your career development, and boost your well-being.

  • Competitive Salary

    Your salary will grow according to your achievements. You will formulate your own targets which are agreed with your managing staff. Regular reviews will help you thrive.

  • Paid Leave

    ESEIA offers holidays according to Austrian labour law for staff employed at Graz headquarters. For a fulltime equivalent you earn 25 days of holidays.

  • Flexible Work

    At ESEIA, work-life balance matters, which is why we offer flexible working arrangements, including in-office part- or full-time, and partly or fully remote.

  • Training Opportunities

    We offer training on the job and external training opportunities to address individual needs and aspirations and empower our team to excel.

  • International Secondments

    To strengthen cooperation with and among member organisations, ESEIA supports and promotes secondments to enhance career development opportunities for their staff.

  • Inclusive Environment

    We aim to build a strong and supportive work culture and create opportunities for office-based and remote employees to connect through regular meetings and hybrid events.

CAREERS AFTER ESEIA 2009-2025

ESEIA is committed to building work relations that last medium to long term. When the time comes to take the next steps, ESEIA will support you with a qualified work reference. To give you an idea of the pathways that former ESEIA staff have taken, here is an overview.

Where from?

Since ESEIA was founded in 2009, ESEIA has employed an international group of highly qualified Bachelor, Master, and PhD level employees from 14 different nations, mostly European;

90% of the ESEIA employees were recruited internationally from non-Austrian countries;

Where to? Which sectors?

80% joined the business sector, 10% went to work for government, and 10% for HEIs;

Nearly 50% stayed in Austria;

1/3 went back to their countries of origin in European cohesion countries;

Close to 15% joined the European institutions in Brussels;

Which positions?

1/3 successfully continued in policy development, project and network management positions as well as QA;

1/3 in communication, sales and marketing;

1/3 took positions as business and innovation analysts, city planners, and self-employed consultants.

GENDER EQUALITY PLAN

As ESEIA strives for equality of opportunity, we do our utmost to ensure fair access and equity at all levels of our organisation. We are committed to creating a diverse and inclusive working culture where all individuals, regardless of gender, religion, sexual orientation, nationality and ethnicity, have equal opportunities for growth, development, and advancement within our organisation. For more information, please see our Gender Equality Plan.

UPCOMING OPPORTUNITIES

We regularly share updates about ESEIA and its activities on social media. Follow us on LinkedIn, Twitter, and Facebook to stay up to date with our latest news and career opportunities.

If you have any questions or would like to learn more about ESEIA, please do not hesitate to contact us.