Policy & Project Manager (Heating & Cooling)

Location: Brussels (Belgium) or Besançon (France)

Contract: Close-ended (CDD), full-time

Working time: 38h/week (Belgium) or forfait jour 206 days (France)

Duration: 24 months (September 2026 – September 2028)

Starting date: mid August / September 2026

ABOUT ENERGY CITIES

Energy Cities empowers cities and citizens to shape and transition to future proof cities.

We showcase concrete alternatives deployed by cities, we advocate to change political and economic governance at all levels, and we foster a wide cultural change leading to a futureproofed society. Energy Cities’ community is composed by local leaders of thousands of cities in 30 European countries.

We believe that the energy transition is about more than renewable energy or great technologies: It is about a wise use of resources while strengthening local participation and well-being in a democratic Europe.

ABOUT THE ROLE

We are looking for a Policy and Project manager who will:

  • Contribute to the development and the implementation of Energy Cities’ strategy on fossil-free districts and buildings
  • Build capacity of local authorities and influence narratives at national and European levels to achieve our mission.

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES

You will be in charge of:

  • Designing and coordinating annual grants focusing on Heating & Cooling. More specifically, delivering campaigns on heat decarbonisation in cities, drafting a study on clean heat infrastructure together with partners, presenting the work to main stakeholders, supporting communication activities.
  • Managing and implementing Energy Cities’ activities for the EU-funded Muse DHC (set up of a Community of Practice, strategic guidelines on community led DHC, policy papers, organisation of EU and transnational workshops, webinars).
  • Monitoring and influencing EU and national policies, related to the decarbonisation of the built environment and the heating and cooling sector, by developing policy analysis and narratives, participating in advocacy activities with different stakeholders, and organising impactful events.
  • Facilitating the involvement of our members in Energy Cities’ HUB on fossil-free cities
  • Develop project proposals to deliver on the Hub fossil-free cities priorities.

In practice, you will organise and facilitate meetings, develop publications to share knowledge and projects’ outcomes, write case studies, engage with several partners and members, and manage projects’ activities (deliverables’ production, quality assurance, risk, cost and schedule management, monitoring of impacts, partners and stakeholders’ meetings, and reporting of activities to the European Commission and other funders).

You could also actively participate on Energy Cities’ fundraising activities, mainly by developing new partnerships and taking part in the preparation of project proposals under EU funding programmes (LIFE, Horizon Europe, INTERREG, among others) and other non-EU donors.

You will have the opportunity to participate in the development of the organisation and work on different topics to make Energy Cities a better place to work (e.g. development of organisational tools and process, greening and teleworking policies, etc.). 

WHO WE’RE LOOKING FOR

Required qualifications and experience

  • A master’s degree in one of the following areas: engineering, economy, sustainable energy & climate, sustainable urban development & planning or similar.
  • At least 3 to 5 years of relevant experience.
  • Experience in urban sustainability, energy systems and EU programmes.
  • Interest in system change approaches (governance issues, transition management, stakeholders and citizen engagement, urban and energy planning, policies and financial instruments, etc.)

Knowledge of EU policies, challenges and solutions for the decarbonisation of the building sector, and local authorities’ strategies will be positively evaluated.

Required skills

  • Excellent level of English (C level )
  • Independent user (B level) of other EU languages is considered a plus
  • Excellent organisational skills and capacity to work autonomously
  • Ability to take initiative and a proactive approach to improve what exists and address issues and barriers
  • Ability to engage and work with stakeholders
  • Good negotiating skills and capacity to present our priorities in a convincing manner
  • Ability to work in an international and intercultural team and environment

WHAT WE OFFER

Close-ended contract (CDD), full-time, under Belgian or French law.

A salary aligned with the sector and depending on experience.

Attractive benefits including:

Belgium

  • 20 days paid leave + 26.5 extra-legal days + additional days for sick children
  • Time-saving account
  • Group insurance (pension, hospitalisation, medical)
  • Transport reimbursement (CP 337)
  • Meal vouchers
  • Homeworking allowance

France

  • 26.5 days paid leave + 20 RTT days (forfait jour) + additional days for sick children
  • Health insurance (90% employer-paid)
  • 50% reimbursement of transport costs + sustainable mobility allowance
  • Meal vouchers (60% employer-subsidised)
  • Employee savings plan (PEE) based on organisation’s results
  • Homeworking allowance

A holacratic, collaborative work culture with genuine autonomy and room for initiative. Learn more about our governance model: www.energy-cities.eu/holacracy

Hybrid working: part-time homeworking policy (available within the EU). This role requires regular on-site presence to ensure effective teamwork and cohesion.

Travel: regular missions across Europe (mostly 2–3 day missions)

HOW TO APPLY

Submit your CV and cover letter before 31/05/2026.

The selection process consists of 3 stages:

  • Screening interview with HR
  • Interview with Project Managers
  • Reference check

Applicants must have the legal right to work and reside in Belgium or France.

Only shortlisted candidates will be contacted for interviews.

Energy Cities is committed to gender equality and to building a diverse, inclusive workplace. We welcome applications from people of all backgrounds, regardless of gender identity, age, disability, ethnic origin, sexual orientation, or any other characteristic protected by law.