Learning and Innovation Centre (LINC)Manager
(3 year contract)
Ref: P16/42
Background information
The Institute of Technology Blanchardstown is located in North County Dublin in Fingal. Our modern 56 acre campus is situated in one of the key industrial, commercial, retail and pharmaceutical hubs in Ireland. The Institute has been pursuing its mission of making education accessible to a diversity of learners since 1999. Our focus is on a relevant, vibrant curriculum, innovative teaching and excellent student supports.
Since it was established, ITB has been firmly embedded within its community and with local industry.
The Learning and Innovation Centre, branded the LINC, serves as a visible and active linkage between ITB’s academic and general expertise and the business community in the region. Its primary objective is to link Academia and Industry through:
•Support for Start-Up:
Businessesoffice space, business support, access to college resources and training
•Industry training programs:
Improving the competitiveness of SMEs in the region
•Applied research:
Collaborative research between college and industry
The Institute of Technology Blanchardstown is working collaboratively with our partners IT Tallaght and Dublin Institute of Technology (DIT), to actively progress the development of a new Technological University for Dublin. As part of this collaboration the LINC works closely with the Synergy Centre in IT Tallaght and the DIT Hothouse.
The Institute wishes to appoint a Manager of the LINC Centre with an active and engaged management style during this exciting period of change for the Institute.
Job Specification
Reporting to the Registrar, the Manager of the LINC Centre is a member of the middle management team and plays a key role in the implementation of the strategic plan for the Institute specifically in the stream of engagement with industry. The successful candidate will manage a team of professional services staff who support the operations and the implementation of the LINC Centre plan.
This involves:
- Implementing the enterprise agenda through the incubation centre, the New Frontiers programme and the support for start-up businesses and student entrepreneurship
- Developing industry training with academics to meet local industry needs through the academic programmes and through the “Learn and Work” model. This will include the development and validation of new programmes, delivery of existing programmes, responding to tenders and all contractual and logistical elements of the delivery
- Supporting the academic schools to collaborate with industry for applied research while also supporting academics to commercialise research. This includes all contract support for funded research, linking academic researchers and industry for particular projects, supporting the academic schools in the achievement of their research strategies and provision of technology transfer services to support the commercialisation of research.
This person will be pivotal in the engagement pillar as we move towards a technological university. An understanding and appreciation of how industry and higher education institutes work together today with a vision on how they could collaborate is key to the role.
The person must:
- Be self-motivated, able to work on their own initiative and will be leading and working across multi-disciplinary teams
- Develop relationships with industry, industrial organisations, academic, governmental, national and international organisations, in the context of the advancement of the engagement agenda to achieve the Institute goals
- Engage with supporting functions and support adherence to Institute processes to ensure the effective operation of the Institute and the development of appropriate best practices across the Institute
- Undertake such other duties and responsibilities as may be directed from time-to-time by their Manager.
The Person
This is an exciting opportunity for someone who wishes to be involved inlinking the academic and industry communities.
Essential
The person appointed will have:
- An honours degree (HETAC level 8) in a relevant discipline from a recognised awarding authority or an approved equivalent qualification and
- A minimum of five years work experience either working in a commercial environment with academic links or working in an academic environment with industry links and
- The necessary innovative, technical and administrative expertise to lead and manage teams in pursuit of innovative and relevant programmes of engagement to respond to industry needs within the academic environment
Ideally:
The person will have:
- Technology transfer and commercialisation experience
- Experience of the research environment nationally and internationally, understanding the funding schemes available
- Knowledge of administration in training programs
- Experience of working with entrepreneurs and an understanding of the start-up environment.
- High levels of initiative and innovation
- Excellent people management skills
He/ she will possess excellent organisation, communication and networking skills and will be able to demonstrate leadership skills with a strong personal commitment to the development of links between industry and academia and enhancing the impact of the Institute on the region.
Salary:
Salary will be at the appropriate point of the Assistant Principal Officer salary scale, €66,561 - €84,684. Please note that starting salary will be based on current Government policy on pay.
Please Note: One signed original and five photocopies should be returned by post or hand delivered to Deirdre Woods, HR Department, Block A, Institute of Technology Blanchardstown, Blanchardstown Road North, Dublin 15. Completed application forms must be received no later than 12 noon on Friday 16th December 2016.
Late applications cannot be considered.
Canvassing will disqualify applications