General Manager at BETA Technological Center

Job description

The BETA Technological Center (Biodiversity, Ecology, and Environmental and Food Technology) is a center dedicated to applied research and knowledge transfer to address major sustainability challenges in the agri-food and environmental sectors. CT BETA was founded at the end of 2014 within the framework of UVic-UCC with an initial team of only 3 people. Over its 11-year history, the center has experienced exponential growth, currently employing over 130 staff members, including researchers, research technicians, and management technicians. The center has participated in over 60 European projects and has signed numerous contracts with the private sector, with a total value exceeding 5 million euros. Currently, the center has an annual budget of approximately 6.5 million euros.

With a unique vision within the Catalan research and innovation system, CT BETA combines scientific excellence, technological innovation, direct application to the territory, and real impact on productive sectors and public policies. The center stands out for its territorial implementation and impact, with its headquarters in Vic and strategic nodes in Roses, Soses, and Granollers, which reinforce proximity to rural and agri-food actors and facilitate the effective transfer of technology and sustainable solutions. This structure allows CT BETA to make a relevant contribution to the territorial rebalancing of the Catalan R+D+I system, bringing research and innovation directly to the territories and offering solutions to their challenges and needs.

The year 2025 represents a turning point for CT BETA, culminating in the process of becoming a foundation independent of UVic-UCC. This step consolidates its singular model of applied research and its commitment to rural territories and the agri-food and environmental sectors. This change in governance opens the door to a new stage of growth and consolidation, which will materialize with the BETA Foundation becoming operational from January 2026.

In this context of institutional transformation and organizational strengthening, defining a new personnel structure becomes essential to guarantee the solidity, efficiency, and impact of the center in the coming years. It is within this framework that the figure of the General Manager acquires an absolutely strategic role: they will be responsible for ensuring the operational and economic sustainability of the organization and for accompanying the Management and the Board of Trustees in the deployment of a project that aspires to consolidate itself as a national and international reference in sustainability, circular bioeconomy, and territory-oriented research.

Functions and Responsibilities

The General Manager will exercise executive leadership and will be responsible for the economic and administrative management of the center, reporting to the Directorate and the Board of Trustees of the Foundation.

Main functions include:

• Carrying out economic, accounting, and budgetary management. Managing received funds and preparing annual accounts. Preparing annual economic reports and ensuring compliance with all fiscal aspects.
• Guaranteeing transparency, regulatory compliance, and quality in the center’s management, ensuring legal compliance in all processes, applying internal control, risk management, and continuous improvement policies, and overseeing integrity and social responsibility.
• Supporting research and transfer through efficient management, detecting operational and administrative needs derived from scientific and technological activity, and facilitating the work of research teams, as well as the implementation of infrastructures, projects, and new strategic lines.
• Collaborate with the Center Management in managing the people and organization of the center, leading the human resources team and promoting a culture of excellence, diversity, collaboration and well-being.
• Collaborate with the Center Management in Promoting and consolidating institutional relationships and strategic alliances, establishing links with universities, administrations, companies, CERCA centers, local agents and international actors, and representing the center before public and private entities, as well as before the media when appropriate.

Requirements

Education

• Higher university degree in Economics, Business Administration, or equivalent, or in scientific fields related to the center’s activities.

Experience

• Demonstrable experience in managing research organizations, technological centers, scientific institutions, or similar entities.
• Experience in economic, financial, and budgetary management.
• Experience leading multidisciplinary teams.
• Knowledge of the Catalan, Spanish, and European research systems.
• Negotiation and institutional relationship skills.
• Results-oriented with the ability to manage complex environments.
• Strategic vision and capacity for transformation.
• Leadership, integrity, and excellent communication skills.

Languages

• Oral and written proficiency in Catalan, Spanish, and English.

Merits

• Postgraduate or Master’s degree (MBA, research management, public policy, etc.).
• PhD in fields related to the center’s research.
• Experience in international environments and European projects.
• Knowledge of the functioning of CERCA centers.

This job offer includes

• Senior management / Executive contract.
• Competitive remuneration, adapted to the experience and qualifications provided.
• Immediate incorporation.
• Workplace based in Vic.
• Possibility to lead the consolidation and growth of an expanding research center, with direct impact on rural territories and strategic sectors of the country.
• An interdisciplinary work environment, territorially rooted and with an international vocation.

Interested Candidates

If you are interested in applying for the position, please send an email before January 31^st to: [email protected], with the following information:

• Complete and updated CV
• Cover Letter / Motivation Letter