Senior Business Developer Labour Productivity & Innovation Adoption

About this position

To support our growth ambitions in B2B markets and public-private partnerships, we are expanding our Business Development team.

At TNO, we are shaping the future of work. Organisations face major challenges, including labour shortages, an ageing workforce, digitalisation, and the need to increase productivity. Within our Future of Work proposition, we develop knowledge, technologies, and innovations that help organisations and labour markets remain agile and future-proof.

Our work focuses on human-centric technology, AI applications, innovation adoption, and productivity improvement, as well as labour market innovations such as skills-based workforce strategies, lifelong learning, talent mobility, and data-driven labour market intelligence. Through these innovations, we contribute to higher labour productivity, sustainable employability, inclusive labour markets, and resilient organisations.

To successfully bring these innovations to market and scale their impact, we are looking for an entrepreneurial Senior Business Developer Labour Productivity & Innovation Adoption. You recognise opportunities in the market and know how to translate them into concrete projects, strategic partnerships, technology implementation initiatives, and licensing opportunities.

What will be your role?

As aSenior Business Developer Labour Productivity & Innovation Adoption, you will develop new propositions, partnerships, and business models that help organisations become more productive, innovative, and future-ready.

You will work on topics such as human-centric technology, AI applications, innovation adoption, skills-based workforce strategies, labour market mobility, and data-driven labour market intelligence. You will establish collaborations with technology providers, software companies, industrial partners, industry associations, and public-sector stakeholders to ensure that TNO innovations are successfully implemented, scaled, and brought into practice.

Your key responsibilities include:

• Identifying market developments, innovation needs, and opportunities related to labour productivity, digital transformation, and innovation adoption, and translating them into strategic collaborations and projects.
• Building strategic relationships with technology companies, industry associations, regional innovation ecosystems, and public-sector partners.
• Initiating and developing public-private partnerships, funded innovation programmes, and commercial projects.
• Developing business models and valorisation strategies for TNO knowledge, methodologies, tools, and technologies.
• Connecting experts, customers, and partners to successfully implement and scale innovations within organisations, value chains, and regions.
• Building and expanding strategic partnerships and collaborative ecosystems involving companies, governments, industry organisations, and regional stakeholders.
• Converting market opportunities into concrete assignments, contracts, and project launches, in close collaboration with Finance and Legal teams.
• Strengthening TNO's position as a leading partner in labour productivity, labour market innovation, workforce transformation, and human-centric technology.

The team

You will become one of five Business Developers within the Future of Work team and collaborate closely with approximately 100 researchers and consultants. Together, you will develop, commercialise, and scale innovations that contribute to future-proof work. You will also regularly work with experts from other TNO units, teams, and disciplines, connecting market needs, research, and innovation to create impactful collaborations and new business opportunities. Our home base is TNO's office in Leiden. At the same time, we work flexibly, with TNO locations across the Netherlands available as alternative workplaces. As business development largely takes place outside the office, you will regularly visit customers, partners, innovation ecosystems, and industry events. #LI-Hybrid

What we expect from you

You are a commercially driven relationship builder who combines strategic thinking with a strong affinity for innovation and societal impact. You know how to navigate complex stakeholder environments and enjoy bringing together organisations, technologies, and people to create sustainable growth and value.

You also bring:

• Demonstrable experience in business development, innovation management, strategic consulting, or a related field, including the development of propositions, partnerships, and business cases.
• Demonstrable experience in one or more of the following domains: labour productivity, digital transformation, organisational transformation, workforce-supporting technologies, innovation adoption, labour market innovation, or human capital challenges.
• An established network and knowledge of at least one of our focus markets: construction, industry, or regional innovation ecosystems.
• A strong ability to identify opportunities and translate scientific and technological expertise into distinctive propositions, strategic collaborations, and new business opportunities for TNO.
• Excellent commercial, strategic, and stakeholder management skills, with the ability to operate effectively in complex environments.
• The drive to build long-term relationships and develop new partnerships.
• The ability to move seamlessly between customers, partners, regional ecosystems, and colleagues across TNO.
• A proactive and entrepreneurial mindset, thriving in a dynamic environment with a wide variety of topics, projects, and work locations.

What you'll get in return

Challenging and varied work with a real impact. And plenty of opportunities as, at TNO, you are in charge of shaping your career. We offer a gross monthly salary between € 6,000 and € 8,000 (based on your knowledge and experience), 8% holiday pay, a 13^th month bonus of 8.33% and a flex budget (5.58% + € 180). In addition, you will be given every opportunity to develop yourself.

TNO offers optional employee benefits, enabling you to tailor your benefits package to match your personal situation. You may also expect:

• An extremely professional, innovative working environment where colleagues are leading experts in their field.
• The opportunity to attend courses, workshops and conferences, and to receive training and coaching based on your needs.
• 33 days annual leave plus a flexible holiday that can be used on a cultural, religious, or otherwise important day of your choosing (on a full-time basis).
• An employer working towards a respectful, inclusive, and equitable work environment where every employee can flourish, with various initiatives such as Jong TNO, numerous expertise based guilds, Rainbow Community and Round Tables on diverse inclusion topics.
• We offer a comprehensive and flexible mobility plan that also includes full compensation for public transportation for commuting and business travel.
• Great social events with your team and other TNO colleagues. That’s how you will get to know a lot of people really quickly.
• Flexible working hours, the possibility to work parttime (32 or 36 hours) and the possibility of working from home.
• A good pension scheme.

Read more about tailoring your benefits package.

TNO as an employer

Our people are at the heart of TNO. Their curiosity, expertise and entrepreneurial mindset make it possible to deliver high-impact research and innovations that contribute to society’s sustainable wellbeing and prosperity. That is why we invest in an inspiring and inclusive working environment where colleagues can excel, have autonomy and continue to grow.

Your talent and ambition have every opportunity to flourish at TNO. You work with experts (both within and beyond TNO), have access to advanced technology and the freedom to explore, experiment and innovate. Our strength lies in independence, reliability and collaboration. We find each other in wonder and ingenuity. We are driven to push boundaries. By working with businesses and government, and by connecting different perspectives, we strengthen our innovative capability and create responsible, meaningful results.

At TNO, we believe this is our time to help society, government and business move forward faster. Together with driven colleagues, you turn knowledge into concrete innovations or ventures that truly make a difference by combining the power of science and entrepreneurship. And in doing so, you make your mark on our time.

The selection process

Please apply before the 25th of October 2026. The selection process comprises two interview rounds. In a final meeting we will discuss the terms of employment and your tailored benefits package. We aim to finalize the entire process within four weeks.

The selection process may include an online assessment and a reference check.
A certificate of Conduct (VOG) is required before starting a new job at TNO.