Manager Regenerative Building
DETAILS
(m/v/x)
Organisation: Elzéard Foundation
Location: Cross-border region.
Belgium, the Netherlands and GermanyEmployment: Full-time position
Salary: Competitive salary, depending on experience
Start: To be discussed
We are looking for someone who does not see buildings as objects, but as allies of the landscape.
Someone who can build the bridge between design and construction site, between material and place, between ambition and execution. Someone who can ensure that what we build is right: technically, ecologically, aesthetically and humanly.
Not a conventional construction manager. Not a site supervisor who only monitors planning and budget. But someone who understands that building, here, is also a form of landscape care: sourcing materials, connecting people, safeguarding quality and ensuring that every intervention is aligned with ecological principles.
Context
Elzéard is a mission-driven initiative and movement working to restore living systems at landscape scale. In the Belgian–Dutch–German border region, we are building an ecological corridor: a landscape in which fragmented places are reconnected, and where natural processes, biodiversity and regenerative land use strengthen one another.
This restoration requires more than land, management, species knowledge and agricultural practice. It also requires buildings, infrastructure and places that can support the work: workshops, storage and processing spaces, accommodation, field infrastructure, renovations and small-scale landscape interventions that respond to soil, water, relief and use.
Within this development, Elzéard aims to contribute to a bioregional building culture: a way of building that starts from what the region itself can carry — local and bio-based materials, reuse, craftsmanship, simple techniques, careful detailing and collaboration with people from the region.
As Elzéard moves from an initial proof of concept into a phase of further development and consolidation, a new core team is also taking shape. Alongside roles in operations, conservation, botanical restoration and fieldwork, we are looking for someone who can carry the construction projects in a practical, high-quality way, while remaining faithful to the vision.
Role and responsibility
As Manager Regenerative Building, you are responsible for the practical realisation of Elzéard’s construction projects. You translate the architectural, ecological and aesthetic vision into executable plans, clear agreements and careful implementation on site.
You are not primarily the designer of the projects. The architectural vision and aesthetic direction are developed by Elzéard, in close collaboration with the design team. Your strength lies in translating that vision into practice: material choices, planning, contractors, budget, technical feasibility, site organisation and quality control.
You ensure that projects are not only technically well executed, but also remain true to the spirit of Elzéard: sober, careful, embedded in the landscape, honest in their materiality and ecologically responsible.
You can speak with architects and designers, but just as easily with contractors, groundworkers, carpenters, farmers, suppliers and volunteers. You know when to hold the line on quality, and when to make practical adjustments without losing the essence.
In addition to realising buildings and infrastructure, you help build a network around regenerative construction. In this way, building becomes more than a technical process: it becomes a shared practice that connects people, landscape, materials and social meaning.
What you will do
Your role is shaped around three core tasks.
1. Coordinate construction projects
You will manage the execution of construction projects across different project sites.
You will coordinate architects, contractors, craftspeople, volunteers, suppliers and other implementation partners.
You will ensure planning, budget control, quality control, safety and practical progress.
You will follow up on site meetings and technical discussions, and ensure that agreements are clearly translated into action.
You will identify bottlenecks in good time and propose workable solutions.
2. Translate the vision to the construction site
You will ensure that ecological and regenerative building principles are consistently applied during implementation.
You will act as the connecting link between Elzéard’s vision, the architectural design and the reality of the construction site.
You will guide technical choices and material use based on principles such as circular building, low-tech solutions, reuse and local or bio-based materials.
You will safeguard the architectural and aesthetic quality of the projects in close coordination with Elzéard and the design team.
You will ensure that every intervention is carefully integrated into the landscape and the broader functioning of the place.
3. Build a construction team and regional network
You will help build a strong team and network around regenerative construction.
You will identify, connect and support craftspeople, contractors, suppliers and other construction partners.
You will help develop a local ecosystem of materials, knowledge, techniques and collaboration.
You will contribute to a building culture that becomes stronger, more self-reliant and more deeply rooted in the region over time.
Responsibilities
Safeguard the architectural and aesthetic quality of the projects throughout the entire construction process, in close coordination with Elzéard and the design team.
Take operational responsibility for ongoing construction projects.
Represent Elzéard during site meetings, technical discussions and day-to-day coordination.
Monitor project progress and ensure reliable planning, budget control and quality assurance.
Ensure that projects are carried out in accordance with the building charter, ecological principles and Elzéard’s values.
Support permitting procedures and administrative follow-up where needed.
Contribute to the realisation of small-scale, landscape-integrated buildings and infrastructure.
Organise collaboration with architects, contractors, craftspeople, suppliers and internal teams in a clear and constructive way.
Profile
We are looking for someone who combines technical expertise with practical insight, organisational strength and a strong sensitivity to landscape, architecture and material use.
This role may be a good fit if you:
have substantial experience in construction projects, site coordination or technical project management;
can independently lead construction projects and manage contractors with confidence;
have an affinity with ecological, circular, bio-based or low-tech building;
are practical and hands-on, while also having an eye for beauty, detail and the long term;
remain calm and keep oversight when planning, people, budget and site realities overlap;
can move easily between designers, contractors, craftspeople, farmers and internal teams;
like taking responsibility and actually moving projects forward;
are sensitive to landscape, material, proportion and the careful integration of buildings into their surroundings;
feel at home in an organisation that is still very much in development;
feel connected to the mission, values and intention of Elzéard.
Experience with natural materials, craft-based building techniques, renovation, reuse, timber construction, clay, lime, local materials or collaboration with craftspeople is a strong asset.
You are fluent in Dutch. A good command of English or French is important; additional languages are a plus.
What succes looks like — after 6-12 months
The main construction projects are running more smoothly, more reliably and with greater calm in planning and follow-up.
There is clear collaboration between Elzéard, architects, contractors, craftspeople and suppliers.
The quality of execution reflects the ecological, architectural and aesthetic ambition of the organisation.
Construction choices are no longer made ad hoc, but are assessed in relation to material, place, use, budget and long-term value.
An initial reliable network of contractors, craftspeople, suppliers and construction partners has been built.
The organisation works less reactively around construction projects and can make decisions more quickly, calmly and carefully.
What we offer
A key role within a new core team, with direct influence on the further development of Elzéard.
The opportunity to help shape and realise Elzéard’s construction projects, in line with the broader ecological and regenerative vision of the organisation.
Work in which day-to-day site practice is combined with a strong landscape, architectural and aesthetic ambition.
Close collaboration with the founders, the design team and the other members of the core team, with gradually increasing autonomy and responsibility.
A small and committed team where collaboration is direct, informal and based on shared intent.
The opportunity to contribute to a landscape-scale restoration programme in which regenerative building, ecological restoration, agriculture, land management and new forms of stewardship reinforce one another.
A context in which initiative, ownership, craftsmanship and quality are valued, and in which your work has a visible and lasting impact on both the landscape and the organisation.
The possibility of exploring accommodation within the project area or the surrounding border region — Aachen, Maastricht and Liège — depending on availability and mutual agreement.
The position is based in the Belgian–Dutch–German border region and requires regular presence at the different project sites. Practical arrangements regarding start date, contract type and work base will be determined by mutual agreement.
Why this matters
Because restoration does not only happen in fields, forests, ponds and stream valleys.
Because buildings too can help carry, connect and make things possible.
Because materials have an origin.
Because a construction site is a choice about how we relate to landscape.
Because beauty, simplicity and craftsmanship can once again become allies of ecological restoration.
And because someone needs to ensure that this ambition does not disappear on the construction site, but becomes reality. Maybe that person is you.
Applying?
If you feel addressed by the intention of this project and the nature of the role, we warmly invite you to apply.
