HVAC Technology Business Transfer Manager

Daikin Europe NV (DENV) is a subsidiary of Daikin Industries Limited, a Japanese outstanding company and worldwide the biggest developer, producer and supplier of HVAC-R (heating, ventilation, air conditioning and refrigeration) solutions, including heating pumps and cooling technology.

DENV is Daikin’s sales, R&D, and production headquarters for Europe, the Middle-East and Africa. The headquarter has Belgian offices in Brussels, Ghent and Ostend, as well as 8 production plants, 24 sales subsidiaries and offices and a whole network of independent distributors and dealers across the EMEA region.

Technology increasingly determines our future and is the engine of our economy. New innovations are drastically changing the way we live, communicate and do business, but also offer opportunities for companies to enter new markets and develop innovative products & business models.

Our EMEA Development Center (EDC) plays a unique role in accelerating decarbonization through research and development of innovative, energy-efficient alternatives to traditional heating solutions, new heat pump technology and solutions for cold chains for domestic & industrial customers.  

We are dedicated to support the goals agreed upon during the climate conferences all across the world.

The ambitions of the Daikin EMEA Development Center (EDC) reflect in the construction of a new state of the art EMEA R&D building in Zwijnaarde (Ghent). Three floors are dedicated to future intense collaboration with universities and spin offs since we not only rely on our own internal knowledge and perseverance, but we strongly believe in knowledge sharing to progress. This pillar will become our brand new section within the EDC organization.

We are looking for a Technology Transfer and Business Development Manager to help us craft this new business.

Job content

As our new section manager, you will have the responsibility to further build a new section that focuses on Technology transfer, spinoffs, grants and academic collaboration.

• In close collaboration with EDC senior management, you design and craft this new section
• You cooperate with the designated technical experts of the team, our engineers who have solid experience in academic collaborations.
• You will guide your team on several topics, such as:

Exploring the market for investment opportunities and promote Daikin Europe as preferred technological and financial investment partner.

De-risk and validate the business plans and portfolios of the identified projects

Decide on feasibility and commercial interest, taking into account the fit with our strategy, our products, our science and technology, and the allocated total budget for the department

You are the liaise between the external parties and our management and engineers.

You enhance our already existing (academic) collaborations with external partners and build new ones. First focus is local, but we aim at expanding the scope towards European and even global projects and collaborations

You identify potential grants opportunities for our new business.

• You ensure that the contract and the business requirements are all covered. In this you will be supported by the legal, patent, IP regulations and compliance experts.
• Once the team is complete, you will manage team of spin off officer, grants officer and academic collaboration engineers who will support you in the operational part and day to day follow up.

Profile

• You hold a master degree in civil or commercial engineering with a proven business acumen.
• You have people management experience.
• You have extensive experience in setting out strategies on an EMEA level and you see it as a challenge to build up a business pillar from scratch.
• You have an interest in the Daikin products and discover more about the new upcoming developments.
• The HVAC research world has no secrets for you as you breathe entrepreneurship.
• You use your communication and social skills in your networking activities.
• You have an excellent knowledge of English. Knowledge of another European language is an asset. 

Daikin Europe is a subsidiary of Daikin Industries Ltd. and the leading provider of heating, cooling, ventilation, air purification, and refrigeration technology. The company designs, manufactures and brings to market a broad portfolio of equipment, as well as tailor-made solutions for residential, commercial, and industrial purposes in Europe, Middle East, and Africa (EMEA). To date, Daikin EMEA has over 12 000 employees across more than 59 consolidated subsidiaries. It has 12 major manufacturing facilities based in Belgium, the Czech Republic, Germany, Italy, Spain, Turkey, Austria, and the UK. Our aim is to drive sustainable and effective solutions, sparking a good climate for the generations to come. And all this can only be achieved because of our People. 

We believe our employees are the beating heart of our company and that top-quality solutions are delivered by talented individuals in a good working environment. As a result, we live in a unique environment based on our people-centered approach, where we value each person's uniqueness and where we truly believe in people's unlimited potential.

We believe: Good climate starts with people.