Projectmanager RD&I

Career at Damen

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

• 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

• 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.

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.

Why Damen?

Damen has 35 shipyards on five different continents and operates in more than 100 countries. We are still growing and that gives you options. You contribute to this growth while benefitting from the diverse development and career opportunities that our company offers. We will continue to challenge you. With our extensive portfolio of products and solutions you will never get bored and never stop learning. We offer you a world of possibilities.
Working at Damen means contributing to the highest quality in shipbuilding, with an eye to the future and future generations. We want to make the world a better place by becoming the most sustainable maritime solution provider. For that, we need you. Become part of our family.