Erik
Westerman

Digital Transformation Specialist
Document Intelligence & AI
Digital Heritage

LocationBrussels
e-mailinfo@erikwesterman.com
Work StatusAvailable for offers

About Me

Background & Experience

Erik Westerman photographing with a film camera

Current Focus

Seeking opportunities in:

Creative technology roles
EdTech roles
Web content creation
Training content creation
Digitization work for museums and heritage projects
IT automation projects involving computer vision
IT automation projects featuring Large Language Model (LLM) customization
Project assistant positions
Team leader roles

My work experience

I'm a versatile technology professional with 25+ years of experience spanning multimedia design, communications, and emerging AI technologies. I started my career in London as a multimedia designer and programmer. I worked in broadcast planning for Discovery Channel and freelance television production, then changed to workflow design at BAA Heathrow and multimedia training at the University of Greenwich. Later, I worked in diverse roles across pharmaceutical, M&A, and EdTech sectors.

Since relocating to Brussels in 2010, I've built substantial expertise within the European Commission across multiple departments (2011-2023). Most recently, I served as Administrative Secretary to the Department Director in the European Commission's Social Media & Visual Communication team.

In 2025, I pivoted to focus on generative AI and automation technologies. Through hands-on, project-based learning, I've developed practical solutions including automation scripts, low-code API integrations, and document summarization prototypes. My technical toolkit includes Python programming and advanced prompt engineering.

I'm particularly passionate about applying AI to historical research, leveraging computer vision for batch OCR processing of historical documents and I'm currently developing educational content using trained AI image models from historical photographs.

What can I do for you?

AI Workflow Design

Automation scripts, document AI, prompt engineering, API integration.

IT & Communication

Project management, public administration, team lead

Digital Learning

Interactive learning assets, MOOC platforms, Moodle

Process Optimization

Workflow design, automation, file management.

Creative Media

Graphic design, video editing, presentations, digital media.

Historical Research

OCR & HTR processing, archival digitization, research, educational projects.

Former Employers

Resume

Full Career Timeline

Experience

2025–present

AI & web projects

Personal projects

Designing and building AI tools and research websites with Python and AI-assisted coding, from RAG chatbots and document summarisation to multilingual history sites and interactive maps.

2018–2023

Administrative Secretary to the Department Director

European Commission - DG COMM

Provided administrative coordination for daily operations, managed IT support for the unit, handled procurement and financial workflows, and supported the Social Media & Visual Communication team within DG COMM.

2016–2017

Secretary to Head of Unit

European Commission - DG DEVCO

Created travel requests, managed mission scheduling and financial data, prepared documentation for delegations, and coordinated internal reporting for DG DEVCO.

2014–2016

Administrator - Legal Entities

European Commission - DG BUDG

Verified and registered legal entities using SAP systems, advised agents on registration criteria, and redesigned reference materials to streamline validation processes for DG BUDG.

2013–2014

Administrator - Legal Entities

European Commission - PMO

Collaborated with PMO staff on personnel record management, administrative updates, and staff modification processes as part of HR validation workflows.

2012

Project Officer (Cultural Projects)

EACEA - European Commission

Managed European cultural grant projects, monitored grant agreements, conducted contract analysis, and reviewed reporting for projects funded under European cultural programs.

2012

Archivist

European Commission - PMO

Maintained physical and digital archives, assisted with pension unit data collection, and supported internal statistical reporting functions within PMO.

2011

Project Officer - IPR Helpdesk

EACI - Enterprise Europe Network

Coordinated intellectual property training workshops, maintained the IPR Helpdesk content, and provided IP support to SMEs across the Enterprise Europe Network.

2011

Project Officer-SMEs

EACI - Enterprise Europe Network

Managed European consortiums for international partnerships, EU funding applications, and environmental compliance audits, supporting SME participation in EU programs.

2010

Live Events Stage Manager

Shenandoah SPRL

Organized performers and logistics for major live events including concerts at the European Parliament and corporate events requiring high-profile coordination.

2009–2010

Presentation Designer

ABTS Consultancy

Designed international trade course presentations, developed online LMS content for corporate training, and delivered multimedia assets for international clients.

2007–2009

Overseas Business Consultant

BCMS Corporate

Contacted over 12,000 companies globally, developed proposals, and increased international response rates by 40% to support business growth at BCMS Corporate.

2006–2007

Global Packaging Artwork Coordinator

IPSEN Ltd.

Managed multilingual artwork generation and approval processes, led product rebranding for global markets including China, and drafted GMP-compliant maintenance procedures.

2005–2006

Designer & Marketing Researcher

SciXten Cryogenics Ltd.

Developed branding materials, websites, and marketing collateral while conducting market research to support business development for cryogenics products.

2003–2004

Photography Technician & Trainer

University of Greenwich

Instructed over 200 students annually in photography, multimedia production, and darkroom techniques, providing technical guidance and one-on-one support at the University of Greenwich.

2003

IT Workflow Process Designer

British Airport Authority

Designed and optimized workflow diagrams, collaborated with senior staff, and contributed to database creation for 6,000 Heathrow Airport security personnel records.

2000–2002

Promotions Producer

Discovery Communications Europe

Coordinated translation, voice-over production, and re-editing of promotional material for Discovery Channel France; filmed content for Discovery Channel Canada broadcasts.

1999–2000

Product Marketing Manager

Reef Ltd.

Developed marketing requirements and product positioning for enterprise intranet software targeting the tech sector while supporting business growth initiatives at Reef Ltd.

1995–1997

Multimedia Designer & Programmer

ARTEC - Arts Technology Centre

Brussels

Completed secondary studies with European focus.

Languages

English

French

Spanish

Dutch

Design Skills

Web Design

Graphic Design

Print Design

My Keywords

AI & Automation Tools

Claude Code
Codex
AI-assisted coding
Python
LLMs
OpenAI
llama.cpp (local LLMs)
RAG
ETL pipelines
Computer Vision
Anaconda
Easy Diffusion

OCR & HTR

HTR (handwritten text recognition)
eScriptorium
Kraken
PaddleOCR
Tesseract
Transkribus

Web & Development Tools

HTML5
CMS
WordPress
Moodle
APIs
Flask
Git/GitHub
VS Code
FileZilla

Historical Research

Data scraping
Archives
Image restoration
Transcription
OSINT
Reports

Design & Video

Photoshop
Illustrator
Inkscape
Premiere Pro
After Effects
Filmora

Office & Collaboration

MS Office
SharePoint
Confluence
Visio

Portfolio

Selected Projects

Digital History

Research-led websites and datasets on European art and military history, from family archives and handwritten muster rolls to interactive maps. Built and kept up to date since 1997.