We help governments, corporations, universities, start-ups, and SMEs turn ambitious ideas into impactful projects. From securing EU and national funding to designing innovation ecosystems, acceleration programs, and R&D initiatives, we empower organizations to innovate, scale, and create lasting value.
Take the next step in your career and join us as an Associate Partner | Funding / Innovation Advisory.
You will:
- Build and grow the business by developing a strong sales pipeline and executing market growth strategies;
- Build long-lasting relationships with clients, partners, and stakeholders across the public, private, and innovation sectors;
- Lead consulting, funding, and innovation projects from opportunity identification to successful delivery;
- Advise clients on EU and national funding opportunities, including Horizon Europe, EIC Accelerator, Structural Funds, and other international funding programmes;
- Develop high-quality funding proposals and support clients throughout project implementation;
- Design and deliver innovation programmes, acceleration initiatives, workshops, and advisory services that strengthen entrepreneurship, R&D, and innovation ecosystems;
- Identify high-potential startups and collaborate with founders, investors, corporations, universities, and public institutions to foster innovation;
- Grow, mentor, and inspire a high-performing team by creating a culture of collaboration, learning, and professional development;
- Contribute to the development of new consulting services and actively support Civitta's growth locally and internationally.
Requirements:
- 6+ years of experience in consulting, EU funding, innovation, business development, or a related field;
- Proven experience in developing business opportunities and building a strong sales pipeline;
- Strong understanding of EU and national funding programmes and the innovation ecosystem;
- Entrepreneurial mindset with the ability to identify market opportunities and develop new service lines;
- Demonstrated leadership experience in building, mentoring, and managing high-performing teams;
- Ability to manage multiple projects, stakeholders, and complex initiatives independently;
- Passion for innovation, technology, entrepreneurship, and creating measurable societal impact;
- Excellent communication, stakeholder management, and relationship-building skills;
- Professional-level English and Slovenian language.
Benefits:
- Accelerated Career Growth – we invest in your development through coaching, mentoring, and regular performance reviews to help you grow faster and with purpose;
- Compensation & Profit Sharing: a guaranteed monthly salary complemented by performance-based rewards, including profit sharing based on individual P&L, additional team and group-wide profit sharing, and the opportunity to become a shareholder over time;
- Entrepreneurial Freedom – shape your own path, contribute ideas, and take the lead on initiatives that matter to you;
- Flexible Working Hours – manage your workday with flexibility and the option to work from home twice a week;
- Culture & Connection – from engaging team bonding activities such as Christmas parties and Summer events to spontaneous celebrations, monthly team breakfast or lunches, we believe in recognizing wins—big or small—and celebrating them together;
- International Offsite Trips – every year, we travel to an exciting destination to spend time together with the entire Civitta team, strengthening connections and creating unforgettable memories;
- Gifts Programme – welcome boxes, birthday surprises and holiday cheer, we make sure your special moments are recognized;
- Local Benefits Package – enjoy a comprehensive benefits package to support your well-being and professional needs.
Skills Required
- 6+ years of experience in consulting, EU funding, innovation, business development, or a related field
- Proven experience developing business opportunities and building a strong sales pipeline
- Strong understanding of EU and national funding programmes (Horizon Europe, EIC Accelerator, Structural Funds) and the innovation ecosystem
- Entrepreneurial mindset with ability to identify market opportunities and develop new service lines
- Demonstrated leadership experience in building, mentoring, and managing high-performing teams
- Ability to manage multiple projects, stakeholders, and complex initiatives independently
- Passion for innovation, technology, entrepreneurship, and creating measurable societal impact
- Excellent communication, stakeholder management, and relationship-building skills
- Professional-level English and Slovenian language
What We Do
Civitta is a leading independent management consultancy in Emerging Europe. Today, our company, headquartered in Tartu, Estonia, employs over 700 consultants and experts across 27 offices in 19 countries: Estonia Latvia Lithuania Poland Finland Denmark Belarus Ukraine Moldova Serbia Romania Slovakia Bulgaria North Macedonia Kosovo Armenia Sweden Georgia Uzbekistan We aim to bring the right minds together to challenge the boundaries and make meaningful changes for our clients. We cover a wide range of services, including management consulting, grants and project management, market research and customer data analytics, entrepreneurship support and startups, public policy and development. We also work beyond home markets – our flexible approach and international mindset have ensured the successful cooperation with clients in 40+ countries, resulting in 10000+ completed projects. What’s our approach? We deliver more. With an effective management model, we ensure that the money paid for our work is invested in the project, not into overheads. We ask the tough questions. We challenge our clients to achieve the challenge themselves. We like unconventional projects. We have an entrepreneurial mindset allowing us to be flexible and work with niche or unusual projects. We get the job done. We collect facts, analyze them and deliver fact-based results. We are practical and we aim for impact. We have Estonian roots. An unique Central and Eastern Europe & Nordics footprint stretching over 16 countries throughout Europe. #TheChallengerAdvisory
