Head of Technology

Head of Technology

Royal IHC is determined to play a leading role in making the maritime industry more efficient and sustainable. IHC Technology has a responsibility to keep Royal IHC at a competitive and even advanced knowledge level. The focus is on innovation & research, technology development, and knowledge support to the rest of the Royal IHC organization.

In that sense, the activities focus on various core knowledge fields that are of importance to Royal IHC. Included are, amongst others, soil behavior, hydraulic transportation, cutting technology, soil-structure interaction, dynamic behavior of maritime equipment, alternative fuels & drive systems, and material science. New knowledge fields are being developed like digitalization, AI, and machine learning. All these activities are grouped under a number of R&D programs, each linked to Royal IHC’s Technology Innovation Structure. Besides these internal-focused projects, a lot of activities are based on subsidy programs and/or commercial projects paid by external parties.

As the Head of Technology, you will have a challenging multi-disciplinary role. You will be managing a professional organization (20 fte), that supports Royal IHC's innovation processes and knowledge support requirements. At the same time, your focus will be on keeping and extending both internal and external stakeholder (like the Triple Helix domain, subsidy networks, and contacts in research and maritime technology environment) positions and dialogues.

Your role is to shape, stimulate and challenge the organization on innovation with a commercial impact. This means that you have a good understanding of the added value of innovation to Royal IHC’s business interests and you are able to develop and valorize business cases to underpin proposed R&D programs. Besides the execution of R&D projects that are directly funded by Royal IHC, IHC Technology also partakes in subsidized and third-party R&D projects. In your role as Head of Technology, you will be responsible to organize subsidy applications, acquisition of third-party investigations, and manage these projects. You will ensure that IHC Technology complies with corporate strategy and defined business plans, operates in accordance within allocated budget, and realizes (strategic) objectives in all aspects.

Function requirements

As the new Head of Technology, you will be driven by working in a highly professional environment, combining line management capabilities with a specialistic content. In your role, you get energized from coaching team members, acting as a role model, and achieving business-driven innovation successes together. We are looking for a pro-active attitude, an ability to connect on different levels and in internal and external networks. You should be able to switch easily between high-level corporate-related topics and more unit-directed priorities without too much focusing on details.

To be eligible for this role, we are looking for the following requirements:

• MSc or PhD degree in relevant technical fields such as mechanical engineering, naval architecture, mining, material science, civil engineering, or physics.
• Minimal five to eight years relevant experience within the maritime industry.
• Experience of research or product development in a relevant environment and ability to manage a group of highly educated professionals.
• Knowledgeable in innovation and/or product management with a business attitude.
• Combine excellent leadership and managerial skills.
• Ability to manage IHC Technology within budget responsibility.
• Natural connector and networker to facilitate the development of opportunities.
• The ability to work efficiently and smoothly in complex, (international) environments.
• Independent, pro-active, result-driven.
• Flexible attitude, with customer- and service-oriented skill set.
• Team player, people's manager, open and honest personality.
• Qualitative and creative mindset.
• Excellent communication skills in Dutch and English language (speaking and writing).

Please note that only candidates with valid EU work visa will be considered as viable candidates.

* These requirements give a direction to the profile we are looking for. At Royal IHC, we warmly welcome anyone to join us, regardless of their background, disabilities, or challenges. For example: research shows that male candidates apply if there is a 60% match and women only when there is a 100% match. Do you not meet all the requirements but do you think that this is the position for you? Then we would like to invite you to apply.

Royal IHC offers you:

• A gross monthly salary between €8.000 and €10.500 +8% holiday allowance (based on a full-time working week).
• Good work/life balance with 40 vacation days for full-time employment with the option to buy or sell (additional) leave.
• The possibility to work from home with associated expense allowance and/or to perform the work on the basis of flexible working hours (depending on the position).
• An average salary pension scheme in which matters are properly arranged in the event of accidental death, incapacity for work, or unemployment.
• Good disability insurance.
• Participation (on a voluntary basis) in the Social Fund, on the basis of which care and related costs are reimbursed that are not covered by your health insurance.
• Discount on VGZ's additional healthcare insurance.
• A training budget of €1,500 every three years.
• Unlimited sporting in our own fitness room (in exchange for the sustainable employability day).
• € 0,21 per kilometer commuting allowance.
• A profit-sharing scheme.

In 2042 (when we exist 400 years) Royal IHC will be a fully sustainable company with a net-zero portfolio.

About Us

Royal IHC is a leading supplier of maritime technology and expert craftsmanship. Driven by innovation, our dedicated experts provide a competitive edge to our worldwide customers in the dredging, offshore, mining, and defence industries. However, Royal IHC is much more than vessels, equipment, and services.

We deliver reliable, integrated solutions that improve operational efficiency and create a platform for a more sustainable performance. As we navigate new waters, our aim remains unchanged: to discover the smartest and safest way forward for both our customers and our people. Together, we create the maritime future.

In 2042 (when we exist 400 years) Royal IHC will be a fully sustainable company with a net-zero portfolio.