Innovation Manager

Research Ireland; Ireland; In loco; EUR 83.000 - 102.000; Tempo pieno

Vantaggi offerti da questo lavoro

Competitive salary

Defined Benefit Pension Scheme

Blended Working Policy

Canteen facility

Life Insurance

30 Days Annual Leave

Learning & development opportunities

Descrizione del lavoro

Research Ireland seeks an ambitious Innovation Manager to lead the National Spin-out Activation Programme and oversee programs that translate research into economic and societal impact. You will work across academia, government, technology transfer, industry and investors to accelerate venture creation from Ireland's higher education system.

The role requires substantial experience in innovation management, research commercialisation and stakeholder engagement, with a track record in programme

Competenze

• Postgraduate qualification in science, engineering, technology, innovation, business, economics, public policy or a related discipline.

Mansioni

• Lead the establishment, implementation and ongoing management of the National Spin-out Activation Programme.
• Support delivery of relevant actions in Research Ireland's Strategy.
• Identify gaps and opportunities to strengthen innovation pathways across the Research Ireland funding portfolio and develop new initiatives/interventions that increase the translation and application of research outcomes.
• Contribute to policy development and strategic advice relating to innovation, entrepreneurship and commercialisation.
• Monitor international best practice and emerging trends in research translation, venture creation and university commercialisation.
• Build strong relationships with key stakeholders with a view to strengthening Ireland's innovation ecosystem.
• Prepare business cases, briefing papers and recommendations for senior leadership and governance committees.
• Develop frameworks to assess programme effectiveness and impact.
• Use evidence and insights to inform future programme development.

Conoscenze

Innovation management

Research commercialisation

Venture creation

Entrepreneurship support

Technology transfer

Research policy

Programme management

Stakeholder engagement

Formazione

Postgraduate qualification in science/engineering/technology/innovation/business/public policy or related

Descrizione del lavoro

About Taighde Eireann

Taighde Eireann - Research Ireland is the national research and innovation funding agency which was established on 1 August 2024; it amalgamates the activities of the Irish Research Council and Science Foundation Ireland. Research Ireland will drive world class research and innovation in Ireland, funding research and innovation excellence in all disciplines across the spectrum of Arts, Engineering, Humanities, Mathematics, Science, Social Sciences, Technology and others.

The Research Ireland Strategy is structured around three interconnected impact themes - Talent, Economy and Society. Together they reflect our belief that people are at the heart of the system; that research-driven innovation is essential to competitiveness and productivity; and that research must ultimately serve the public good.

The role of Innovation Manager represents an exciting opportunity for a suitably qualified individual to join the Research Ireland Enterprise Partnerships team on a 3 year fixed term contract. The Enterprise Partnerships team enables the translation of research excellence into economic and societal impact by building partnerships between academia, industry, government and civic organisations, supporting mobility, innovation and commercialisation pathways, and developing programmes that strengthen and connect Ireland's research, enterprise and innovation ecosystems.

Role Purpose

Research Ireland is seeking an ambitious and entrepreneurial Innovation Manager to lead the development and oversight of innovation-focused initiatives that activate entrepreneurial researchers and strengthen the translation of research into economic and societal impact.

A key aspect of this role will be involvement in the design, implementation and management of the National Spin-out Activation Programme, a strategic initiative aimed at increasing the pipeline of research-based venture-backable companies emerging from Ireland's higher education and research system.

The successful candidate will work across academia, government agencies, technology transfer offices, industry, investors and the wider innovation ecosystem to identify opportunities, remove barriers to commercialisation, contribute to the development of a culture of innovation and create pathways that accelerate the journey from research excellence to venture creation and growth, including entrepreneurial training and activation programmes.

This is an exciting opportunity for an individual passionate about innovation, entrepreneurship and ecosystem development to help shape Ireland's future research commercialisation landscape.

Key Responsibilities

• Lead the establishment, implementation and ongoing management of the National Spin-out Activation Programme.
• Support delivery of relevant actions in Research Ireland's Strategy.
• Identify gaps and opportunities to strengthen innovation pathways across the Research Ireland funding portfolio and develop new initiatives/interventions that increase the translation and application of research outcomes.
• Contribute to policy development and strategic advice relating to innovation, entrepreneurship and commercialisation.
• Monitor international best practice and emerging trends in research translation, venture creation and university commercialisation.
• Build strong relationships with key stakeholders with a view to strengthening Ireland's innovation ecosystem.
• Prepare business cases, briefing papers and recommendations for senior leadership and governance committees.
• Develop frameworks to assess programme effectiveness and impact.
• Use evidence and insights to inform future programme development.

Essential Qualifications

• A postgraduate qualification in science, engineering, technology, innovation, business, economics, public policy or a related discipline.

Essential Experience

Candidates should demonstrate substantial experience in several of the following areas:

• Innovation management.
• Research commercialisation.
• Venture creation or start-up development.
• Entrepreneurship support programmes.
• Technology transfer.
• Research and innovation policy.
• Programme or portfolio management.
• Stakeholder engagement and partnership development.

Applicants should also demonstrate:

• Experience managing complex, multi-stakeholder initiatives.
• Experience developing and implementing programmes from concept to delivery.
• Experience preparing strategic papers and recommendations for senior decision-makers.
• Strong project and financial management skills.

Desirable Experience

• Experience working in an innovation agency, venture ecosystem, higher education institution, research organisation.
• Experience of engaging with investors, venture capital funds, accelerators or incubators.
• Knowledge of university spin-out creation and commercialisation processes.
• Experience of working with publicly funded innovation programmes.
• Understanding of state aid, intellectual property and research funding landscapes.

Key Competencies

• Strategic Thinking: Ability to identify opportunities, shape strategic direction and translate vision into practical programmes.
• Innovation and Entrepreneurship: Strong understanding of how research can be translated into products, services, ventures and societal impact.
• Relationship Building: Ability to build trusted relationships across diverse stakeholder groups and influence without authority.
• Programme Leadership: Experience leading complex programmes involving multiple partners and competing priorities.
• Communication: Excellent written and verbal communication skills with the ability to engage audiences ranging from researchers to senior government officials and investors.
• Analytical and Evidence-Based Decision Making: Ability to interpret complex information and use evidence to inform recommendations and programme design.

Salary

Level E salary scale: €83,113 - €102,076 per annum with contributory superannuation (pension). Government policy continues to be that starting pay on recruitment from open competition for all posts within the public sector should be at the minimum of the relevant salary scale and are not subject to negotiation. Remuneration may be adjusted from time to time in line with Government policy.

Benefits

• Competitive salary with defined progression through the grade
• Defined Benefit Pension Scheme (Single Public Service Pension Scheme)
• Excellent progressive Policies including a favourable Blended Working Policy, Sick Leave, and other family-friendly policies
• Modern office facilities with a subsidised canteen
• Life Insurance
• 30 Days Annual Leave (Prorated)
• Learning and development opportunities

Additional Information

Shortlisted applicants will be invited to attend for an interview, which may include a competency-based interview, a presentation on a topic of relevance to the role and/or other such assessment methods as deemed appropriate. Research Ireland reserves the right to invite candidates to a second-round interview and to undergo further assessment, including the use of psychometric assessment if so required.

Please note, interviews may take place over video-conference or other remote technology where appropriate.

Research Ireland is an equal opportunities employer and is committed to fostering an inclusive workplace which values and benefits from the diversity of our workforce.