Relatiemanager Research

Relatiemanager Research+

• Relation Management
• 32 to 40 hours
• €5450 - €7786

Digital challenges in education and research are becoming increasingly complex and are affecting more and more organizations simultaneously. As a Research+ Relationship Manager, you'll be at the heart of these developments. You'll connect institutions, challenges, and expertise, thereby contributing to solutions that make a difference for the broader research and knowledge community.

Where you will work

SURF is the IT cooperative for Dutch education and research institutions. Together, we work on digital services and complex innovation challenges to enhance the quality of education and research. In this way, we ensure that the education and research community has access to future-proof IT infrastructure for cutting-edge research and talent development.

The team you will join

Relations & Strategic Portfolio Management is a relatively new team that combines relationship management and strategic portfolio management. The team maintains regular contact with stakeholders within educational and research institutions at a tactical and substantive level. Stakeholders are actively informed and engaged in SURF activities, establishing connections with the substantive expertise within the organization. Collaboration is also being explored with organizations that are not yet members but have the ambition to become part of the cooperative.

Work is currently underway to further develop the vision for relationship management, further strengthening the relationship manager's role as a connector.

You will be part of the Relations & Strategic Portfolio Management team within the Engagement & Futuring business unit. The Engagement & Futuring unit connects member institutions, their staff, and partners. Together, they translate digitization challenges into strategies that support innovation and transformation in education and research.

What you will do

As a Research+ Account Manager, you are responsible for a diverse portfolio of public knowledge and research organizations, including research institutes, planning agencies, heritage and archival institutions, and organizations with a social or statutory mandate.

As a Relationship Manager, you are responsible for member and client relations and play a coordinating role in all client interactions. You serve as the point of contact for your clients and understand the issues facing their organizations, as well as how SURF's role and technology can add value. You bring supply and demand together by maintaining regular dialogue with your clients and linking their challenges to SURF's service portfolio and expertise. In doing so, you identify and consolidate complex issues and ensure appropriate follow-up. Additionally, you support innovation projects, identify opportunities for (further) development, and encourage knowledge exchange and collaboration within the cooperative.

Other responsibilities:

• You will initiate, maintain, and expand a relevant network of contacts to ensure that SURF's services, innovation, and knowledge exchange align well with the needs of institutions within your portfolio.
• You will conduct structured and systematic discussions with stakeholders, such as Research IT support staff, information managers, Chief Science Information Officers, Principal Investigators, program managers, and research consortia.
• You are a knowledgeable discussion partner and understand

Your skills and experience

You combine strategic insight with a strong sense of relationships and interests. You understand complex issues, navigate smoothly between different stakeholders, and know how to translate needs into appropriate solutions. In doing so, you work proactively and connect people and content.

In addition, you have:

• At least 8 years of experience in relationship management and/or similar strategic stakeholder management roles.
• Strong communication skills, both verbal and written, in Dutch and English.
• Organizational sensitivity and a keen sense of relationships.
• Analytical skills and the ability to understand complex issues.
• Experience with relationship management and stakeholder management.
• The ability to connect people and navigate between different interests.
• A proactive, independent, and results-oriented work ethic.
• Strategic insight and a well-developed big-picture perspective.
• The ability to translate needs into concrete solutions and actions.
• Knowledge of public knowledge and research organizations.
• An affinity for technology, research, and education.
• HBO or WO level of work and thinking.

SURF takes pleasure in doing its recruitment itself; acquisition is therefore not appreciated.

Applying for a job at SURF

This is what you can expect

Apply

After submitting your application, you will immediately receive a confirmation e-mail.

Response

After the the closing date, you will receive a response from our recruitment team.

First interview

We invite you to our office, because we want to get to know you.

Second interview

We invite you again for an interview with others who also want to get to know you.

Assessment

We may ask you to do an assignment (assessment).

Are you the right person?

Then you will receive a salary offer from one of our HR advisors.

Welcome to SURF!

You join onboarding activities with other new colleagues.

Location Moreelsepark, 48, 3511 EP, Utrecht Degree HBO+/WO Employment Fixed term with permanent employment intention Salary €5450 - €7786 Hours per week 32 to 40 hours Deadline 07 June 2026 Substantive questions Gerrie van Staalduinen

Questions about procedure SURF Recruitment

What we offer

• Extensive training opportunities
• 8.33 % holiday pay
• 8.33 % end-of-year bonus
• 36 holidays per year (based on a 40-hour working week)
• An excellent pension scheme
• An NS Business Card 1st class
• Home working allowance

Research shows: many people do not apply for a job until they can tick all the boxes. We think talent, commitment and fresh insights are just as important. So do you find this job opening interesting? Don't hold back and apply!

Apply for "Relatiemanager Research+"

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