EIT Water is hiring a Regional Hub Manager West in Antwerp, Belgium, based within Blue Cluster Belgium and covering Belgium, France, Luxembourg and the Netherlands. Salary and benefits are listed as competitive, and applications close at 12pm CET on Wednesday 25 November 2026. At Youth Works Hub, we reviewed the vacancy and laid out the regional scope, sector priorities and application requirements below.
Key Facts About the West Hub Vacancy
🏢 Organisation: EIT Water
📌 Position: Regional Hub Manager West
📍 Location: Antwerp, Belgium, within Blue Cluster Belgium
🗺️ Region covered: Belgium, France, Luxembourg and the Netherlands
🧪 Sector: Research, Technology & Innovation
💼 Salary and benefits: Competitive
🤝 Role coordinated by: Ismail Makroum, Perrett Laver
What EIT Water Does
EIT Water is Europe's innovation community for water, marine and maritime systems. It connects industry, innovators, researchers, educators and policymakers to tackle the most urgent water challenges, from scarcity, drought and flooding to pollution and ecosystem decline.
EIT Water is part of the European Institute of Innovation and Technology (EIT), a body of the European Union.
A New Community Building Its Governance
🌱 EIT Water was founded in 2026
🧩 It has eight regional hubs across Europe
🌊 It holds a mandate to deliver systemic innovation from source to sea
🏗️ It is now establishing the governance structures that will guide its first Strategic Agenda and long-term impact
Leading the West Region From Antwerp
The Regional Hub Manager is EIT Water's senior representative and business development, relationship and ecosystem lead for the West region. The four countries in this region are Belgium, France, Luxembourg and the Netherlands.
📞 Serve as the primary regional point of contact
👥 Build and mobilise the regional Member, partner and participant community
🔗 Connect West European stakeholders to EIT Water's pan-European ecosystem and Action Programmes
📈 Strengthen regional opportunities across the water, marine and maritime sectors
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🌍 All opportunities in Belgium →
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Which Sectors Matter Most in the West Region?
The role has particular relevance to five areas:
♻️ Water circularity and reuse
🏖️ Coastal protection and nature-based solutions
🐟 Sustainable aquaculture and blue biotech
⚓ Clean shipping and smart maritime innovation
🌬️ Offshore renewable energy and multi-use platforms
Why the Post Sits Within Blue Cluster Belgium
Based in Antwerp within Blue Cluster Belgium, the role leverages the region's strengths in:
🏙️ Strong port and coastal city ecosystems
🛰️ Maritime innovation networks
🔬 Research capabilities
🏭 Industry engagement
These strengths are used to build cross-border collaboration and to accelerate innovation, business creation and skills development.
Central Employer, Regional Host
The Regional Hub Manager works for EIT Water centrally while operating alongside the regional host organisation. The role requires strong commercial, entrepreneurial and diplomatic capabilities in order to connect regional priorities and opportunities with European-level impact.
What to Submit and When
Applications should be submitted by 12pm CET on Wednesday 25 November 2026 and should include:
📄 A current CV
✍️ A cover letter setting out your interest and relevant experience
Further information about the recruitment is available on the Perrett Laver information page.
Who Runs the Selection
The appointment process is led by Perrett Laver on behalf of EIT Water. Questions about the process can be sent to Dr Ismail Makroum by email.
EU Co-Funding and Equal Opportunities
This activity is co-funded by the European Union. EIT Water is committed to equal opportunities and welcomes applications without discrimination on any grounds. EIT Water is an established Danish Association based in Aarhus.
Browse more roles in innovation, research and international cooperation in the Jobs section on Youth Works Hub →.
Frequently Asked Questions
Where will the Regional Hub Manager West work?
The role is based in Antwerp, Belgium, within Blue Cluster Belgium. It covers Belgium, France, Luxembourg and the Netherlands.
What is the main purpose of this position?
The manager is EIT Water's senior representative and business development, relationship and ecosystem lead for the West region. As the primary regional point of contact, the role builds and mobilises the regional Member, partner and participant community.
What kind of organisation is EIT Water?
EIT Water is Europe's innovation community for water, marine and maritime systems, founded in 2026 with eight regional hubs across Europe. It is part of the European Institute of Innovation and Technology (EIT), a body of the European Union.
Which topics will the West hub work on?
The vacancy names water circularity and reuse, coastal protection and nature-based solutions, and sustainable aquaculture and blue biotech. It also names clean shipping and smart maritime innovation, as well as offshore renewable energy and multi-use platforms.
Is the manager employed by Blue Cluster Belgium?
The manager works for EIT Water centrally while operating alongside the regional host organisation. The post is based in Antwerp within Blue Cluster Belgium.
What capabilities are needed for this role?
The role requires strong commercial, entrepreneurial and diplomatic capabilities. These are needed to connect regional priorities and opportunities with European-level impact.
Which documents does the application require?
Applicants need a current CV and a cover letter setting out their interest and relevant experience. Both must be submitted by 12pm CET on Wednesday 25 November 2026.
Does the vacancy give a salary figure?
The vacancy lists salary and benefits as competitive and does not state a specific figure.
Who should candidates contact with questions?
Perrett Laver leads the appointment process on behalf of EIT Water. Questions about the process go to Dr Ismail Makroum, who coordinates the role.
Deadline
⏳ 25 November 2026
Links
Vacancy details: https://plusportal.perrettlaver.com/VacancyDetail/b853e20b-6d42-3f50-8553-3a24417f249a
Application form: https://plusportal.perrettlaver.com/VacancyForm/b853e20b-6d42-3f50-8553-3a24417f249a
Further information: https://perrettlaver.com/eit-water-regional-hub-managers-recruitment/
Questions about the process (Dr Ismail Makroum): Ismail.Makroum@perrettlaver.com
