Innovation Consultant - Green & Sustainable Innovations (Native Dutch)

Catalyze is seeking a motivated Innovation Consultant (Native Dutch) for their Green & Sustainable Innovations department in Duivendrecht, Netherlands. The role involves crafting grant proposals, developing innovation strategies, and collaborating with clients to transform ideas into reality. Candidates should have fluency in Dutch and English, a Master's degree in a relevant field, and at least 3 years of experience. The position requires strong organizational skills and the ability to manage multiple projects.
We are looking for a motivated Innovation Consultant with Dutch language skill to join our Green & Sustainable Innovations department. In this dynamic role, you will work closely with visionary clients to craft successful grant proposals and transform their ground breaking ideas into reality.

About us: Catalyze is a leading consultancy firm dedicated to advancing impactful innovations in Life Sciences, Green & Sustainable Innovations, and Industrial & Digital Technologies. With over 20 years of experience, we partner with visionary entrepreneurs, academic institutions, and global organizations to bring groundbreaking solutions to life. Our mission is simple: empower change-makers with strategic support and funding they need to drive innovation and create a positive global impact.

Our Green & Sustainable Innovations department is a dedicated team of specialists with expertise in areas such as the energy transition, sustainable food systems, circular economy, bio-based industry, and biodiversity. We serve as trusted advisors throughout the life cycle of an Innovation starting from early research to market strategy, and from securing financing to preparing for investors. Understanding the complexities our clients face, we are committed to guiding them through every phase of their innovation journey, ensuring long-term success and impact.

"Join us at the forefront of innovation and sustainability, where meaningful change meets expert guidance."

Innovation Consultant – Green & Sustainable Innovations (Native Dutch)

Your Role: This role is perfect for someone who enjoys writing, thrives under deadline pressure, and can juggle multiple projects simultaneously. On a given day you can find yourself visualizing an innovation's roadmap for a project in the first half, working on commercialization strategies or diving into financials of another project in the second half. Balancing client meetings, internal collaborations, and delivering exceptional results in this role requires a high level of organization and adaptability.

As an Innovation Consultant, you will:
• Lead the Way: Take ownership of client projects, driving the development of innovation strategies, financing plans, and commercialization pathways.
• Master Grant Proposals: Write compelling proposals supporting our clients in securing various funding programs including Dutch grants (e.g., WBSO) ; EU grants (e.g., EIC Accelerator) etc, for their transformative innovations.
• Be a Strategic Partner: Collaborate with clients to shape their vision, challenge assumptions, and refine their ideas for maximum impact.
• Foster Relationships: Build and maintain strong, trust-based relationships with clients, ensuring alignment and satisfaction throughout the process.
• Bridge Science & Business: Translate complex scientific innovations into actionable business cases, bringing commercial sense to highly technical ideas.
• Guide and Inspire: Act as a consultant and mentor, steering clients toward success while managing expectations effectively.

To excel in this role, you will need:
• Languages: Fluency in Dutch & English both written and spoken.
• Educational Background: A Master’s degree in Life Sciences, Engineering, or a related field, with a preference for candidates with business exposure.
• Experience: At least 3 years in a commercial, client-facing advisory role, ideally with exposure to sustainability and innovation.
• Grant Writing / Business Proposal Crafting Expertise: Prior proven experience in crafting successful grant applications or writing successful business proposals.
• Sector Knowledge: Understanding of green and deep-tech sectors, including energy transition, biobased industries, and sustainable FoodTech is an advantage.
• Commercial Acumen: Demonstrated understanding of business principles and a knack for aligning scientific innovations with market opportunities.
• Leadership: A self-starter mindset with a proactive, "driver’s seat" approach to managing projects and achieving results.
• Consultancy Attitude: The ability to guide clients confidently, taking responsibility for outcomes and offering strategic insights.
• Client-Facing Skills: Excellent interpersonal abilities to build and sustain strong client relationships

Key Skills and Competencies
• Exceptional writing and storytelling abilities.
• Analytical and conceptual thinking.
• Strong organizational and project management skills.
• Curiosity about innovation and sustainability.
• Ability to perform market and desk research effectively.

Why Join Us? At Catalyze, we value independence, initiative, and growth.

We offer:
• A competitive salary, comprehensive benefits package, and performance-based bonuses.
• A professional development path tailored to your career growth towards a Senior or Managing Consultant roles.
• Flexible working arrangements, including location-independent work options.
• 27 vacation days, 8% holiday allowance, a pension plan and lease bike plan.
• A supportive, fun, and innovative work environment with excellent colleagues.
• Healthy office lunches, regular vibrant social events, and a supportive, inspiring work culture.
• The chance to work with passionate colleagues in a collaborative, entrepreneurial environment

Join us in driving sustainable innovations and making a global impact!