Senior Manager, CIC Institute - Les Ulis - Medium

Description

CIC Institute is seeking a personable, organized, and driven professional to lead and manage its innovation and projects. This is an exciting opportunity for someone with program management experience and a passion for cultivating the startup ecosystem. We are looking for an ambitious individual who excels at building meaningful relationships, supporting stakeholders, and driving impactful, innovative initiatives.

ABOUT CIC & CIC TOKYO

CIC builds and operates a global network of innovation campuses where startups, scale‑ups, corporations and public entities connect, work, and grow. Founded in 1999, CIC manages more than 1.5M square meters of innovation‑focused workspace, laboratories, and event space across North America, Europe and Asia. Additionally, CIC develops innovation‑related programming, builds and enables industry clusters, and provides world‑class innovation consulting.

CIC Tokyo is our first site located in Asia. Opened in October 2020 in one of the business districts of Minato‑ku, CIC Tokyo is a one‑of‑a‑kind innovation‑oriented center in Japan with a total area of about 6,000 square meters on the 15th and 16th floors of the Toranomon Hills Business Tower. We provide a vast workspace with the capacity to house more than 250 companies. CIC Tokyo is centered on companies that aim to grow, and communities and services that are looking to accelerate their business growth and global expansion. Because of its influence in startup and innovation scenery, CIC Tokyo has frequent visits of VIPs such as Prime Minister Kishida, Governor Koike, and other business leaders in Japan. It is now recognized as a prestigious center of new businesses and startups by business leaders throughout the country.

Learn more about us here.

ABOUT CIC INSTITUTE

CIC Institute, a division of CIC, specializes in building innovation ecosystems and supporting startups by leveraging CIC's extensive knowledge and global network. The Institute spearheads industry‑specific communities to foster collaboration and drive practical applications through events, community building, and consulting projects. These initiatives aim to strengthen innovation ecosystems in key industries and geographies, such as deep tech, energy and environment, and life sciences.

YOUR DAY‑TO‑DAY WORK

As a Senior Manager at CIC Institute, you will play a pivotal role in ensuring the successful execution of innovation‑focused projects and partnerships. Reporting to the Director, you will provide operational oversight, team guidance and ensure that projects are delivered with excellence, clients are supported, and our ecosystem‑building initiatives thrive.

You will manage multiple projects simultaneously, nurture key partner relationships, and support the growth of the CIC Institute's business and reputation in Japan and beyond.

Responsibilities

Project & Program Management

• Oversee multiple innovation projects from planning through execution, ensuring alignment with organizational goals and partner expectations.
• Guide Project Managers and Associates in developing scopes, timelines, budgets, and deliverables while providing oversight on risk management and quality assurance.
• Monitor progress, resolve roadblocks, and ensure that projects are delivered on time and to the highest standards.
• Support the design and rollout of new programs, services, and initiatives that expand CIC Institute's influence and scalability.
• Contribute to project‑level financial planning, ensuring proper budget management and resource allocation.
• Establish project management best practices, tools, and templates to drive consistency and efficiency across initiatives.

Client & Stakeholder Engagement

• Build and maintain strong working relationships with corporate clients, government sponsors, and innovation ecosystem stakeholders.
• Serve as an escalation point for Project Managers and Associates in client‑facing matters, ensuring timely and effective resolution of issues.
• Represent CIC Institute at industry events, partner meetings, and speaking opportunities to enhance visibility and credibility.
• Collect and integrate client and partner feedback to improve project outcomes and strengthen long‑term collaborations.
• Support the cultivation of stakeholder networks that advance CIC Institute's mission and strategic objectives.

Business Development & Partnerships

• Contribute to business development efforts by identifying opportunities for new partnerships, supporting proposal development, and assisting with fundraising efforts.
• Collaborate with leadership to define partnership strategies that align with institutional goals and expand market reach.
• Assist in drafting, negotiating, and managing partnership agreements and memorandums of understanding.
• Track industry trends and emerging opportunities to proactively recommend areas for growth and new services.
• Support revenue diversification efforts by helping to design fee‑for‑service models, sponsorship packages, or grant opportunities.

Team Leadership & Development

• Manage, coach, and mentor Project Managers and Associates, setting clear expectations and fostering professional growth of your team.
• Promote a collaborative, inclusive, and high‑performing team culture that reflects CIC Institute's mission.
• Support recruitment, onboarding, and retention of high‑quality talent for the project team.
• Provide regular feedback, performance evaluations, and individualized development plans for team members.
• Champion diversity, equity, and inclusion in all aspects of team management and talent development.

Internal Collaboration

• Ensure effective internal communication and coordination with cross‑functional teams (Other IES teams and Innovation Campuses, Marketing, Events, Sales, Finance, and Venture Café).
• Align project and program strategies with organizational priorities and cross‑departmental initiatives.
• Facilitate knowledge‑sharing and collaboration across teams to drive innovation and efficiency.
• Contribute to internal reporting, performance metrics, and organizational learning efforts.
• Help streamline internal workflows and processes to reduce redundancies and improve overall operational effectiveness.

ABOUT YOU

• You are a proactive and adaptable professional with leadership and project management experience, driven by a passion for cultivating the startup ecosystem.
• You excel in fast‑paced, mission‑driven environments, balancing operational excellence with team guidance and hands‑on support for startup growth.
• You are a proven leader with experience managing teams and mentoring mid‑level professionals.
• You are strategic in your thinking but hands‑on in your approach to execution.
• You are highly organized, detail‑oriented, and capable of managing multiple projects simultaneously.
• You are skilled at building trusted relationships with diverse stakeholders, from startups to corporates to government bodies.
• You are comfortable representing CIC Institute externally, whether at partner meetings, public events, or industry forums.
• You are resilient, adaptable, and able to thrive in an evolving, fast‑paced environment.

YOU HAVE

• 5+ years of professional experience, with at least 2+ years in a leadership role.
• Strong background in project/program management, preferably in consulting, innovation, or related industries.
• Passion for supporting startups, innovation, and ecosystem development, paired with a willingness to support founders through both strategic and hands‑on guidance.
• Proven experience in stakeholder management, client relationship building, and ecosystem engagement.
• Team management experience, including coaching and performance management.
• Experience working with governmental entities and/or having a strong background in a specific industry, technology or science.
• A bachelor's degree or equivalent experience (master's, MBA, Ph.D., etc. a plus).
• Fluency in both English and Japanese (written and spoken).
• Ability to legally work in Japan.
• CIC is unable to sponsor visas for this role at this time.

OUR OFFER

• Competitive salary, adjusted to match your experience.
• Permanent contract.
• Laptop and mobile phone as your working tools.
• Access to global CIC locations.
• Commuting / transportation allowance.

Please submit your application in English. Thank you

CIC welcomes all candidates regardless of race, color, ancestry, gender identity or expression, religion, national origin, sexual orientation, age, citizenship, marital status or disability. If you require an accommodation please let us know. We are proud to be an equal opportunity employer.