Biobased Industries Consortium, Director General

The Biobased Industries Consortium (BIC) is a non-profit organisation connecting industry, academia, regions and policy makers to transform biobased feedstocks into novel sustainable products and applications, and create circular bioeconomy ecosystems through investments, innovation and know-how.

Dirk Carrez has successfully led and grown the Biobased Industries Consortium (BIC) since it was established in 2012. Dirk will step down from this role in early 2026. Therefore, BIC's Board of Directors has appointed a Selection Committee and the specialist executive search firm Dober Partners to help recruit a dynamic and highly motivated new Director General. This role is ideal for a leader with a passion for the biobased economy, EU affairs, innovation, and organisational leadership.

About the Biobased Industries Consortium (BIC)

BIC has more than 350 industry members (large companies, SMEs and micro-companies) and 250 associate members (research organisations, academia and trade associations) from across the bio-based value chain. Members represent multiple and diverse sectors, such as agriculture and agri-food, aquaculture and marine, chemicals and materials, forestry, pulp and paper, technology providers, waste management and treatment, and brand owners.

BIC also represents the private sector in a 50/50 public-private partnership with the European Commission to scale-up innovation and strengthen the bio-based industries sector in Europe. This partnership is called the Circular Bio-based Europe Joint Undertaking (CBE JU).

Role

The Director General plays a key role in leading a high-performing international team, and acts as a pivotal point to ensure the organisation’s agenda is aligned with members' interests and meeting the challenges of the EU’s environmental, economic and policy agenda.

Responsibilities include:

• Developing and collaborating with the Board of Directors on the organisation’s strategic vision, goals and objectives, and leading its implementation.
• Representing the association in high-level meetings with policymakers and stakeholders.
• Providing presentations and speeches in public fora.
• Overseeing the operational management of the organisation, including leading and engaging a team of international experts, managing human resources, and ensuring compliance with statutes and applicable legislation as well as financial management of the organisation.
• Ensuring compliance of BIC with the organisational and fiduciary requirements of the CBE-JU, including audits.
• Championing the organisation and its members' political agenda and the sector as a key contributor to competitiveness and sustainability.
• Fostering collaboration between the different sectors of the biobased industries, and building relationships with industry partners, EU policymakers, and other stakeholders.
• Regularly reporting to the Board of Directors.

Requirements

The ideal candidate will have:

• A strong track record and 15+ years’ experience in representing industry within the Brussels Bubble of EC Policy makers and other key stakeholders.
• Experience in similar positions or a background in politics, public affairs and industry representation at EU level, and familiarity with EU decision-making, political and regulatory processes.
• A strategic mindset with strong execution capabilities.
• Excellent communication and presentation skills.
• Collaborative and diplomatic skills, with the ability to obtain the best possible outcome for BIC members in negotiations.
• Solid knowledge of the bioeconomy and the biobased industry sectors, and a good business understanding.
• A passion for the bioeconomy and a strong drive to make changes happen to the benefit of the sector.
• Diverse and inclusive team player with a non-hierarchical, transparent and open-minded approach.
• Excellent management skills, with the ability to coach, motivate and support an international team.
• A high level of resilience and agility to deal with the dynamic environment of the bioeconomy.
• Fluent and persuasive public speaking skills in English.
• Existing permission or the right to work in Belgium.

To apply for this exciting position, please send your CV and a one-page motivation letter to the Dober Partners - BIC Search team.

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