Overview
Join to apply for the Strategic Projects Associate role at AI4I – The Italian Research Institute for Artificial Intelligence for Industry.
Role Mission
As a Strategic Projects Associate, you will contribute to the execution of European (e.g., Horizon Europe) and commercial projects in the field of Artificial Intelligence applied to industrial processes. You will play a key role in ensuring projects are delivered on time, within budget, and in full compliance with quality standards, public funder rules, and partner agreements.
Main Responsibilities

End-to-end project management: planning (WBS, Gantt, budget), execution, KPI monitoring, risk management.
Ensure alignment between user requirements and technical development, supporting process design, feedback collection, and user satisfaction tracking.
Stakeholder coordination: daily interface with internal teams (R&D/Engineering, Administration/Finance, Legal Department, Strategic Planning) and with consortium partners, customers, and funding bodies.
Reporting and compliance: preparation of technical/financial reports, timesheets, cost eligibility, audit readiness; oversight of tender and contract rules (grant & consortium agreements, IP). Dissemination & exploitation: results communication plan, contribution to exploitation plans and technology transfer to industry.
Business support: contribution to commercial offers and writing of proposals for European/national calls for proposals.

Minimum Requirements

Degree in Engineering, Computer Science, Economics, Management, Science, or related fields.
4–7 years of experience in managing complex projects in technology, innovation, consulting, or corporate environments.
Working knowledge of Horizon Europe (or similar programs), cost eligibility rules, reporting, and auditing.
Proficiency in PM tools (MS Project or equivalent, collaborative suite, issue tracking) and metrics (KPI, OKR).
Italian and English at least C1 level, excellent ability to draft deliverables and reports.
Willingness to travel across Europe for consortium and client meetings (expected 10% of time).

Preferred Requirements

PMP®, PRINCE2®, IPMA or Agile/Scrum certifications.
Experience in projects involving digital platforms, online services, or marketplace ecosystems.
Familiarity with user experience concepts, stakeholder engagement, or customer success practices.
Experience in managing applied research/innovation projects or B2B tech projects, including at least 2 years on EU or publicly funded projects.
Familiarity with projects in AI/ML applied to industry (manufacturing, energy, logistics, healthtech, etc.) and with experimental development cycles (TRL). User‑centric mindset, with focus on service quality and continuous improvement.
Technical background in data/ML engineering, MLOps, or analytics.

Transversal Skills

Excellent organization and sense of priority in multi‑project contexts.
Clear communication, negotiation, and relationship management.
Ability to mediate between technical teams and end‑users, translating needs into actionable project tasks.
Problem solving and data‑driven approach.
Focus on quality, impact, and results.

What We Offer

The opportunity to contribute to high‑impact European and industrial projects at the intersection of AI research and innovation management.
A stimulating, collaborative, and international work environment within a leading AI institute.
Access to state‑of‑the‑art equipment and digital tools, including a workstation, laptop, and mobile phone.
Continuous professional growth through interaction with top researchers, industry leaders, and innovation networks.
Opportunities for professional development, including participation in training, workshops, and international events.
Competitive salary, commensurate with experience.

About Us
AI4I – THE ITALIAN RESEARCH INSTITUTE FOR ARTIFICIAL INTELLIGENCE FOR INDUSTRIAL IMPACTAI4I has been founded to perform transformative, application‑oriented research in Artificial Intelligence. AI4I is set to engage and empower gifted, entrepreneurial, young researchers who commit to producing an impact at the intersection of science, innovation, and industrial transformation. Highly competitive pay, bonus incentives, access to dedicated high‑performance computing, state‑of‑the‑art laboratories, industrial collaborations, and an ecosystem tailored to support the initiation and growth of startups stand out as some of the distinctive features of AI4I, bringing together people in a dynamic international environment.
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