Ecosystem Lead South

28DIGITAL is Europe’s digital innovation engine, a multi-stakeholder platform, rooted in European values and open to the world, we turn knowledge into innovation, scale startups into global ventures, and build the next generation of digital talent to shape a fair, competitive, and human-centric digital future. 

We work at the intersection of science, business, and society, transforming breakthroughs in AI, cybersecurity, robotics, and advanced computing into solutions that strengthen Europe’s sovereignty, accelerate the green transition, and improve lives.

28DIGITAL is an equal opportunity employer and values diversity.

For more information, visit www.28digital.eu.

The Ecosystem Lead South supports the Regional Director for Region South in driving the development, impact and financial sustainability of the ecosystem, as well as the Innovation and Education activities within the regional ecosystem. This includes activities to support 28DIGITAL partners and stakeholder engagement events, as well as monitoring and ensuring operational excellence of the Innovation and Education activities.

The Ecosystem Lead South is responsible for the recruitment and retention of 28DIGITAL partners and their engagement in the Innovation and Education activities, as well as the development of strong consortia for European (e.g., Horizon Europe, Digital Europe Programme), national or regional calls for proposals, in order to achieve 28DIGITAL’s impact and financial goals. The Ecosystem Lead South is also responsible for managing, executing and reporting on the projects being performed by the Region.

• Engaging both new and existing 28DIGITAL partners to collaborate with 28DIGITAL on the preparation and submission of competitive proposals for EU and national innovation funding.
• Leading and supporting the implementation of projects carried out by Region South on behalf of EU and national innovation funding bodies.
• Overseeing the administrative and financial reporting processes relevant to Region South and the projects.
• Proactively identifying new business opportunities, build relationships with potential partners and clients, and negotiating commercial agreements and collaborations aligned with the organisation’s business objectives.

• Attracting and retaining 28DIGITAL partners within Region.
• Providing operational support to partners in Region South in close collaboration with 28DIGITAL’s Innovation, Education, and Operations teams and other business units.
• Designing and delivering high-quality 28DIGITAL events that activate and engage the Region South.
• Driving operational excellence and continuous improvement across the region by collaborating with other 28DIGITAL teams, and by sharing best practices.

• Academic background (minimum M.Sc. level), ideally but not limited to STEM; general IT literacy and tool usage skills required.
• 5+ years’ experience in an operational management role in R&D or innovation organisation.
• Proven track record in the successful delivery of multi-stakeholder projects.
• Prior experience in preparing proposals for EU funding, national or regional calls.
• Strong understanding of the innovation ecosystem at the Spanish and European levels, including its key stakeholders and dynamics.
• Hands-on and proactive mindset, able to take initiative and collaborate effectively with others to drive progress.

Excellent command of English and Spanish. Additional EU languages are a plus.

This is a full-time position. Place of employment is 28DIGITAL office in Madrid. Successful applicants are required to travel to other 28DIGITAL offices and/or Partner locations in Region South for approximately 10%-20% of their time.

Please mail a resume and motivation letter to careers@28digital.eu outlining how your skills and experience meet the qualifications of the position. Applications without a motivation letter will not be considered. 

Applications should be submitted before 23:59pm (CEST) on 21 April 2026.

The applications will be reviewed as soon as they are submitted.

28DIGITAL is an equal opportunity employer and values diversity. To build a strong digital Europe that works for everyone it is vital that we have diverse range of skills, knowledge and experience in the sector. Therefore, we welcome applications from anyone who meets the above criteria and encourage applications from women, ethnic minorities, and other underrepresented groups.