# Niek (@sesquipedalo.eurosky.social)

Profile: https://sifa.id/p/sesquipedalo.eurosky.social
Headline: Innovation Officer @ vzw Kompas
Location: Ghent, Flanders, Belgium

## About

My passion and background are everything STEAM and through various projects at home and abroad, I came into contact with countless fascinating personalities who each create an impact on the world in their own way.

My social skills find their roots behind the bar: raised in an entrepreneurial environment I quickly learned through the hospitality industry the ins & outs of people, what worries them on a daily basis but also what makes them happy.

## Career

- **Innovation Officer at Vzw Kompas** (Jan 2026 - Present)
  Full-time · Hybrid
  At vzw Kompas, we provide tailored and client-first support in living, learning, working & leisure to persons with disabilities.
  
  As Innovation Officer, I scout, bring in, implement and teach new technologies & approaches to help our teams, our organisation and our clients get the most joy out of each and every one of their days.
- **Co-founder & Advisory Board Member at Ekoli Vzw** (Sep 2016 - Present)
  Vision   Science inclusive! Our tagline summarises our mission: Ekoli vzw wants to give every child the opportunity to experiment, create and research in science, regardless of their prior knowledge or background. We focus on an inclusive approach to inspire as many children and young people as possible, after all, science must be accessible to everyone. Because the children and young people of today are the scientists of tomorrow. The bright minds who have to develop sustainable solutions for the future: think of biodegradable building materials, light production with micro-organisms, curing incurable diseases, growing animal-free meat…  Mission   Making science tangible and accessible for all kids, that is our mission. How do we achieve this in concrete terms? By lowering the barriers that prevent children and young people from a vulnerable context from coming into contact with science. We detect 4 major barriers that we try to reduce as much as possible:  Accessibility Prior knowledge, background or specific care needs Financial resources Lack of recognizable role models
- **Business Developer at Avecom (Belgium)** (Oct 2024 - Jan 2026)
  With the goal of making the world a better and healthier place, combined with a strong scientific background, Avecom is a true leader in its field.
  
  Our team specializes in biodegradation, biosynthesis, and engineering microbial consortia for sustainable and cost-efficient solutions in environmental remediation and biomass fermentation.
  
  We collaborate with industrial partners for research & development and scaling of innovative microbial processes that result in new biobased products and applications.
- **Sales Development Manager at CTRL-F** (Sep 2023 - Oct 2024)
  Als Sales Development Manager sta ik in voor de uitbouw en het beheer van een klantenportefeuille binnen de niche Science en dit in regio's Gent, Mechelen & Leuven. Voor ons zijn klanten zowel bedrijven als kandidaten. Mijn specialisatie ligt in de match maken tussen life science professionals en life science bedrijven. Maatwerk is key bij ons. Om beide klanten van de correcte service te voorzien, ga ik vanuit een 360°-functie te werk. Ik neem zowel de binnendienst als buitendienst op mij. Zo zoek en selecteer ik zelf kandidaten, onderhoud ik contact met mijn bestaande bedrijvenportefeuille en breid ik deze uit met nieuwe spelers, via zowel telefonische als face-to-face prospectie. Aangezien ik zo dicht bij de twee partijen ben betrokken, kan ik snel en efficiënt inspelen op de verwachtingen van beiden. Ik begeleid op een professionele wijze het gehele sollicitatieproces tot opstart en blijf nadien in nauw contact met klant en kandidaat over de samenwerking
- **Recruitment Partner at Ctrl-F** (Sep 2022 - Nov 2023)
  As Recruitment Partner, I coordinate the day-to-day of our office located in Melle. CTRL-F Engineering & Life Sciences specializes in the recruitment and selection of technical staff and executives. My team currently consists of three talented individuals (including myself, with some modesty) who work tirelessly to match companies and professionals within the engineering niche. My role is not just coordinating this office, but also motivating, monitoring, and coaching. With an absolute passion for prospecting, I actively approach potential new clients to create the best possible matches. Of course, the job doesn't end with prospecting. I negotiate contracts and price agreements with clients, build professional customer relationships and maintain them afterwards. Companies and professionals can not only rely on me for recruitment-related questions, but my network can also always turn to me for HR advice.
- **Coordinator (Voluntarily) at Ekoli vzw** (Feb 2017 - Mar 2023)
- **Recruitment Manager at CTRL-F** (Aug 2021 - Sep 2022)
- **Sales Recruitment Consultant at CTRL-F** (May 2021 - Aug 2021)
  As a Sales Recruitment Consultant, I am responsible for developing and managing a client portfolio within the engineering niche in the Ghent region. For us, clients are both companies and candidates. My specialization lies in matching engineers with technical companies, with customization being key. To provide both clients with the correct service, I work from a 360-degree function. I take on both the inside as well as outside responsibilities. I search and select candidates myself, maintain contact with my existing portfolio of companie, and expand it with new firms through both telephone and face-to-face prospecting. Since I am closely involved with both parties, I can quickly and efficiently respond to their expectations. I professionally guide the entire recruitment process to start-up and then remain in close contact with both the client and the candidate regarding the collaboration.
- **Senior Recruitment Specialist at CTRL-F** (Sep 2020 - May 2021)
  As a Senior Recruitment Specialist, I am the first point of contact for Ctrl-F. Our office specializes in technical employees in the East Flanders region. Below is an overview of my main tasks:
  \- I recruit and select candidates through various channels
  \- I thoroughly screen candidates to understand their needs
  \- With my persuasive skills, I prospect smoothly over the phone
  \- I efficiently handle administrative tasks  In my role, perseverance and assertiveness are necessary to maximize every situation. As a Senior Recruitment Specialist, I focus on one specific niche, building expertise that clients and candidates appreciate.
- **Recruitment Specialist at CTRL-F** (Jul 2019 - Sep 2020)
- **Co Founder at ReaGent vzw** (Jul 2015 - Sep 2019)
  ReaGent is a DIY-biolab, a community-driven public lab which provides knowledge and infrastructure to anyone interested in researching, learning or discovering biotech.
- **Science communicator at Break It Down** (Nov 2016 - Jul 2019)
  Break it Down is a collective of rebel scientists, storytellers and facilitators, each with their own field of expertise. We help you put your message out there and increase your societal impact.
- **Process Operator at Ashland Inc** (Aug 2016 - Oct 2016)
- **Research Collaborator at Ghent University and Hogeschool Gent** (Sep 2015 - Jul 2016)
- **Writer/Director/Producer at Kuru** (Dec 2013 - Nov 2015)
  Kuru is a new, passion driven production company that aims to bring the horror genre to the public, through films and events.
- **Student Volunteer at Razor Reel Fantastic Film Festival** (Oct 2013 - Nov 2013)
- **Location Management Trainee at Eyeworks** (2012)
  Catering, logisistics, security

## Projects

- **Horroroids** — http://www.horroroids.com (May 2013 - May 2016)
  Horroroids.com brings you the best horror movie suggestions, in all subgenres. Read|Watch|Scream

## Skills

### Technical
- Dreamweaver
- HTML
- Microsoft Excel
- Microsoft Office
- Microsoft Word
### Business
- Account Management
- Customer Relationship Management (CRM)
- Management
- Project Management
- Recruiting
- Sales
- Strategy
- Writing
### Creative
- After Effects
- Premiere
- Video Production
- Web Design
### Interpersonal
- Communication
- English
- Leadership
- Negotiation
- Problem Solving
- Teamwork
### Other
- Biochemistry
- Business Innovation
- Business-to-Business (B2B)
- Candidate Assessment
- Candidate Selection
- Chemistry
- Editing
- Executive Search
- Film
- Film Production
- Final Cut Pro
- Human Resources (HR)
- Human Resources Information Systems (HRIS)
- Interviewing
- Job Coaching
- Job Description Development
- Job Satisfaction
- Microbiology
- Music
- Non-profit Development
- Non-profit Innovation
- Organic Chemistry
- Passive Candidate Generation
- Permanent Placement
- PowerPoint
- Protein Sequencing
- Reviews
- Screening Resumes
- Short Films
- Social Entrepreneurship
- Social Law
- Solution Selling
- Sourcing
- Strategic Partnerships
- Talent Management
- Technical Recruiting

## Credentials

- Generative AI for Professionals — EHSAL Management School (Nov 2023)

## Education

- **NCOI Opleidingen** — Business Development Management (Sep 2023)
- **Hogeschool Gent** — Bachelor’s Degree, Biotechnology (Jan 2012 - Jan 2015)
  I learned a wide array of techniques in the field of molecular biotechnology,

## Courses

- Physics
- Communication
- Chemistry-based project
- Organic Chemistry
- Maths & Statistics
- Organic Chemistry
- Chemical Technology
- Microbiology
- Biology
- ICT
- Biochemistry-based project

## Awards

- Falling Walls Engage Finalist (Nov 2018)
  Ekoli was selected as one of 10 finalists in international science engagement projects.
- Famelab Finalist (Apr 2015)
  An international competition in which STEM-scientists give a 3-minute talk about a scientific principle or technique to a lay audience in a clear, but gripping way. I explained the Polymerase Chain Reaction, as it is a technique which I use daily, but still leaves me awestruck with it's simplicity and limitless possibilities.

## Involvement

### Volunteering
- Solidaris Vlaanderen (Aug 2015 - Present)
  Monitor
  Mentor people with mental and/or physical challenges during week camps, holidays & activities

## Languages

- Dutch (native)
- English (full professional)
- French (professional working)
- Norwegian (limited working)

## Links

- LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/niekdhondt/