Application deadline: 22 May 2026. Applications are reviewed on a rolling basis.
About DC-EDIC
The Digital Commons EDIC is a European consortium that develops, maintains, and scales digital commons: open-source software, open standards, and shared digital infrastructure for public administrations, enterprises, and citizens. Established under the EU Digital Decade programme, we bring together EU Member States to pool resources and invest collectively in open technologies that reduce Europe’s dependency on external providers.
Five founding members (France, Germany, Italy, Luxembourg, the Netherlands), seven observers, and growing. We launched in December 2025 and are now assembling our founding team in Paris. This is a rare chance to shape a European organisation from its earliest months.
Our Values
- Openness: Open collaboration, open standards, open source.
- Sustainability: We support digital commons that are resilient and community-driven.
- Collaboration: Inclusive models involving public actors, civil society, academia, industry, and technical communities.
- EU digital public space: Digital ecosystems that reinforce fundamental rights, public participation, and transparent governance.
Your Role
The DC-EDIC runs a multi-year EU co-funded programme (Digital Europe) with five national partners while simultaneously standing up its own administrative framework as a French loi 1901 association. We need one person who can handle both: programme delivery on the European side, financial and administrative oversight on the operational side. An external chartered accountant handles bookkeeping, payroll, fiscal declarations and annual accounts; you steer the financial strategy and keep the EDIC on the right side of EU grant rules.
What You’ll Do
EDCOM programme management
EDCOM is the EDIC’s EU co-funded project under the Digital Europe Programme (EUR 5.4M, 36 months, 4 national partners). You coordinate the project.
- Coordinate the EDCOM work programme across national partners (DINUM, MinBZK, Sovereign Tech Agency, ZenDiS): track deliverables, flag blockers, prepare decisions for the Director
- Own the relationship with the EC Programme Officer and anticipate Commission expectations
- Monitor progress against milestones and flag risks early; propose course corrections to the Director
- Manage the programme budget: forecast, track, and justify spend across cost categories
- Define the analytical accounting structure (cost categories, eligibility rules, time attestation) and brief the external accountant accordingly
- Prepare periodic and financial reports to the European Commission; maintain audit trail integrity through 2033
- Bridge programme outcomes to EDIC members and observers not involved in EDCOM, so the wider consortium benefits from what the programme produces
EDIC administration and finance
- Support the Director on insurance, employer registration, and HR onboarding
- Coordinate with the Office, Events & Communications Coordinator on day-to-day operational logistics
- Own procurement processes: framework agreements, contract management, and supplier qualification (Art. 29), with external legal support
- Steer the external chartered accountant: validate monthly outputs, review payroll, oversee VAT exemption procedures and JEI compliance
- Prepare financial elements for Assembly reporting: annual budget, execution report, multi-year financial plan
- Monitor contribution collection across five member states
- Coordinate GDPR/CNIL compliance and act as the internal point of contact for data protection matters
What We’re Looking For
Required
- 3-5 years experience in EU programme management (Digital Europe, Horizon Europe, or comparable)
- Familiar with EU financial reporting: cost statements, periodic reports, audit preparation
- Working knowledge of French association accounting, or a clear willingness to learn fast
- Fluent English and working French for administrative and legal contexts
- Structured and autonomous. This is a founding-phase organisation: your role will evolve as the EDIC grows, priorities will shift, and you will need to be comfortable with that.
Nice to have
- Experience with open-source ecosystems or digital commons
- A third official EU language is an asset
- Previous work in a startup-phase organisation or newly created public body
Practical Details
- Permanent contract (CDI, French law, forfait jours)
- Salary commensurate with national public-sector standards
- Complementary health insurance and provident fund (mutuelle and prévoyance), employer contribution above legal minimum
- Generous leave policy (paid leave + RTT days linked to forfait jours)
- 50% public transport reimbursement
- Work-related travel expenses are reimbursed according to EDIC policy.
- Based in Paris, with flexible remote work arrangements, regular weekly presence expected, and regular travel to Brussels and partner countries
- Candidates relocating to Paris may benefit from practical support with moving and settling in. Commuting arrangements can be discussed on a case-by-case basis, subject to operational needs and legal/employment constraints.
- Start date: as soon as possible
Why Join Us
You join a five-person founding team building a European organisation from scratch. The work matters: open-source infrastructure for Europe. You will shape how this organisation runs, not inherit a fixed playbook. Paris-based, with flexible remote work, regular weekly presence, and regular travel across Europe. French law contract (forfait jours).
How to Apply
Send your CV and a short cover letter (max one page) to hr@digital-commons-edic.eu with the subject line “Operations Manager”. Applications are reviewed on a rolling basis.
Equal Opportunity
The DC-EDIC is committed to transparent and non-discriminatory recruitment. We welcome applications regardless of nationality, gender, origin, disability or age.