Innovation & Technology Specialist

VANRATH; Newry; On-site; GBP 32,000 - 46,000; Full time

Job summary

VANRATH is seeking an Innovation & Technology Specialist to engage with local SMEs, delivering technical solutions and driving digital transformation. The role requires building relationships, identifying opportunities, and managing projects across software, cloud, and data initiatives.

You will work with Education & Business Engagement teams, mentoring businesses and delivering knowledge transfer across campuses, with occasional travel. A degree is required, plus relevant industry experience.

Qualifications

• A degree aligned to the area of specialism.
• GCSE English Language or Level 2 Literacy required.
• GCSE Mathematics or Level 2 Numeracy or equivalent qualification.
• Minimum of 1 year experience in the last 5 years in relevant IT environments.

Responsibilities

• Build and develop relationships with local businesses and SMEs within the Digital & IT sector.
• Identify business challenges and opportunities and provide technical and innovative solutions.
• Deliver technical projects, R&D activities, mentoring and knowledge-transfer programmes.
• Support businesses with innovation and funding programmes.
• Work with businesses across software, cloud computing, programming and digital transformation.
• Collaborate with industry, academic and internal stakeholders to transfer knowledge and technology to businesses.
• Ensure industry requirements are reflected in future skills and training provisions.
• Deliver webinars, masterclasses and events and represent the organisation at industry forums.

Skills

Relationship building

Technical consulting

Public speaking

Project coordination

Education

Degree in IT / Computer Science

GCSE English language

GCSE Mathematics

1 year experience in relevant industry

Tools

Cloud platforms

Job description

Job Title: Innovation & Technology Specialist - Digital & IT

Location: Newry or Portadown (whichever campus is closer to home)

Contract: Permanent, full-time

Work Pattern: 36 hours per week (1 day from home)

Travel: Some travel between campuses and to business clients will be required

We're working with a leading education and business support organisation to recruit an experienced Innovation & Technology Specialist to join its Business & Economic Engagement team.

This is an exciting, industry-facing opportunity for an IT professional looking to move beyond a traditional internal IT role and use their technical expertise to help local businesses innovate, develop and grow. The team works closely with SMEs and businesses across the region, providing technical expertise, innovation support, research and development, knowledge transfer and specialist training.

What You'll be Doing

• Build and develop relationships with local businesses and SMEs within the Digital & IT sector.


• Identify business challenges and opportunities and provide appropriate technical and innovative solutions.


• Deliver technical projects, R&D activity, mentoring and knowledge-transfer programmes.


• Support businesses with innovation and funding programmes.


• Work with businesses across areas such as software, cloud computing, programming and digital transformation.


• Work closely with industry, academic and internal stakeholders to transfer new knowledge and technology into businesses.


• Help ensure industry requirements are reflected in future skills and training provision.


• Deliver webinars, masterclasses and events and represent the organisation at relevant industry forums and networking events.

What We're Looking For

• A minimum of a degree (or higher) qualification aligned to area of specialism or related area.


• A pass grade at GCSE Level in English Language or Essential Skills Level 2 in Literacy or an equivalent qualification.


• A pass grade at GCSE Level in Mathematics or Essential Skills Level 2 in Numeracy or NICATS Access Maths Modules or an equivalent qualification.


• A minimum of 1 years' experience (in the last 5 years) working within your specific industry environment or providing technical expertise / mentoring support to businesses within; Computer Science / Computer Programming / Cloud Computing / Mobile device development / Software Development / E-Commerce/ Digital Transformation / Creative and digital technologies