Senior consultant - State Aid & EU Funds (m/f)

Job Description & Summary

About the Team and Role

Our State Aid & EU Funds team delivers consulting and advisory projects for both public and private sector clients – from designing state aid schemes and drafting applications for grant mechanisms (IPCEI, Innovation Fund, LIFE, CEF, HORIZON, RRF, ESIF) to notifications and compliance monitoring.

We are looking for a Senior Consultant/Manager who will take over an established agenda, ensure quality and oversight, and strengthen our advisory and business development approach.

Key Responsibilities

- Lead a portfolio of projects in the area of state aid and EU funds – from scoping and solution design to implementation and quality assurance.

- Take ownership of the agenda and streamline delivery – set clear delegation, control points, and standards to ensure no technical details or connections are missed (QA, peer review, checklists, methodologies).
- Proactively identify issues and develop practical solutions to ensure the smooth progress of projects and client satisfaction.
- Advisory leadership – create solutions with added value (schemes, aid intensity, instrument suitability, timing, compliance vs. business objectives).
- Perform detailed market, financial, competitive, and regulatory environment analyses to support the design and evaluation of state aid schemes and grant applications.
- Prepare, compile, and deliver high-quality outputs in the form of analyses, reports, or studies for use internally and by clients.
- Support financial modeling and data analytics to underpin decision-making processes.
- Regulatory expertise and application of rules: GBER, CEEAG, Regional Aid Guidelines; preparation of materials for European Commission notifications.
- Grants and calls for proposals – design and evaluate applications (IPCEI, Innovation Fund, LIFE, CEF, HORIZON, RRF, ESIF), draft calls and guidelines for beneficiaries.
- Reporting & monitoring – establish processes for compliance obligations, data collection, and data management.
- Lead and develop the team – coach senior consultants and juniors, aiming for team independence rather than micro-management.
- Business development & Sales – build pipeline, lead proposals and pitches, develop client relationships, and cross-sell within the firm.
- Stakeholder management – collaborate with public authorities, corporate clients, and technology partners.
- Effectively manage projects and communicate at the top management level of client organizations to align outputs with expectations.
- Utilize data visualization and analytics tools such as Power BI, Tableau, alongside PowerPoint and Excel, to support data presentation and effective communication of analyses and results.
- Travel – occasional visits to clients across Slovakia and CEE (team base in Bratislava).

What We Expect

- 5+ years of relevant experience, combining senior-level responsibilities with proven experience in managing people and/or projects.

- Strong knowledge of EU and national state aid legislation (GBER, CEEAG, RAG) and proven experience with grant mechanisms (IPCEI, Innovation Fund, LIFE, CEF, HORIZON, RRF, ESIF).
- Advisory mindset – ability to connect regulation, financing, and client business goals; design abstract technical solutions and strategic roadmaps.
- Experience in preparing and interpreting market and financial analyses as well as working with visualization and data tools (Power BI, Tableau).
- Proven capability to identify problems early and proactively propose efficient solutions.
- Excellent project leadership and client communication skills, including interactions with senior and top management.
- Education: economics/finance/law/technical fields; technical or engineering background preferred (ability to interpret technical project parameters and translate them into schemes and compliance).
- Excellent analytical, presentation, and client-facing skills; proficiency in PowerPoint & Excel.
- Languages: fluent English (written & spoken); Slovak strongly preferred for managerial level (advantage for direct work with public authorities).
- Team player and partner – able to build trust, share responsibilities, and provide constructive feedback.
- In today’s workplace, familiarity with AI tools like ChatGPT, GitHub Copilot, and Power BI is valuable. We seek someone who uses AI to enhance productivity, supports decision-making with AI insights, embraces continuous learning, and balances human judgment with data. No AI expertise required—just a willingness to embrace technology as an enabler, not a threat.

Nice to have
- Experience with financial instruments design/deployment (ESIF/EIB), product development for energy efficiency/climate, ESG expertise.

Work Model
- Hybrid (flexible), but regular presence in Bratislava and client visits is highly encouraged for effective project leadership and business development.

What We Offer

- Work on interesting projects with multinational teams and engage with top-tier clients and regulators.

- Strong expert community and room for fast growth to (Senior) Manager/Lead.
- Opportunity to lead high-visibility projects with regulators and top investors.
- Support for BD (marketing, tender assistance) and a robust delivery ecosystem.

Success in 6–12 Months
- Fully taken over and stabilized portfolio with QA processes and no loss of detail.

- Built pipeline (specific targets to be agreed internally).
- Independent team handling routine delivery; you focus on advisory, key decisions, and quality.

Benefits you can enjoy while working at PwC

Financial Rewards: Benefit from regular salary reviews, performance bonuses and other special bonuses. Enjoy meal contributions and a cafeteria benefit system offering personalized choices.
Flexibility & Work-Life Balance: Enjoy our hybrid working policy and flexible working hours, plus extra time off for sick days. You’ll also receive 2 volunteer days and 2 firm-appointed holiday days, subject to management approval on designated dates. Every minute of your extra work is valued and compensated.
Career Development: Engage in tailored internal and external training programs, benefit from a structured career development plan, and as an employee take advantage of discounts of up to 30% on internationally recognized certifications and qualifications from leading organizations through our PwC Academy.
Health & Well-being: Access premium benefits such as physiotherapy consultations, Multisport card and medical center membership. Take advantage of our Well-being and Work-Life Coaching program.
Supportive Culture: Participate in teambuilding activities and social events and join our employee referral program. Experience a culture with regular feedback and a supportive environment.
Global Opportunities: Seize the opportunity for international assignments and work on diverse projects with international clients. Explore the world while working with the possibility of working from abroad.
Extra perks: Use various discounts at partner companies such as cars, health care, beauty, culture or others. Transfer up to 4 telephone numbers at discounted rates.

Additional Information

Place of work: Karadžičova 2, Bratislava, Slovakia (Job with occasional home office)
Contract type: Full-time
Salary: starting from 2 150 € (The stated salary represents the minimum for this position. Final compensation is determined individually based on your experience, expertise, seniority, and overall profile. In addition, we offer a performance-based bonus linked to individual results and the company’s success.)
Starting date: upon agreement

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