Business Incubation Centre Manager : Job Description

Maynooth University
Ollscoil Mhá Nuad
Business Incubation Centre Manager
Commercialisation Office
(Three year contract)
The University
Formally established as an autonomous university in 1997, but tracing its origins to the foundation of
the Royal College of St. Patrick in 1795, the National University of Ireland, Maynooth (Maynooth
University) draws on a heritage of over 200 years’ commitment to education and scholarship. The last
two decades have seen the University grow rapidly in scale, strength and stature. Maynooth
University is today a university of international standing, renowned for the quality and value of its
research and scholarship, for its dedication to excellent teaching, for providing an outstanding
learning experience for its 8,500 students, and as a uniquely collegial environment in which to pursue
scholarly work.
Maynooth University is embarking upon a new and exciting phase of its development under the
University Strategic Plan 2012-17 with a vision to consolidate the international reputation of Maynooth
University “as a university known for outstanding teaching, excellent research, a global outlook,
effective engagement with the society we serve, and our distinctive approach to the challenges facing
modern higher education.”
The University Strategic Plan 2012-17 sets seven strategic goals for the university:
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to offer students an outstanding university education, the best available in Ireland, an
education which challenges and supports all students to achieve their full potential, and
prepares students for life, work and citizenship, and for complexity, diversity and change;
to be recognised by 2017 as playing a leading international role and being the clear national
leader in a number of thematic areas of research that address the major societal challenges
of the 21st century;
to achieve a step change in our international activities, doubling the number of international
students on campus and doubling the number of domestic students spending time abroad, in
order to create a truly intercultural and multilingual institution;
to strengthen our engagement with all stakeholders through sustained partnerships with
enterprises, communities, civil society and public bodies, to build support for the mission of
the university, to serve the needs of society, and to open new opportunities for research and
learning;
to maximise our unique and distinctive contribution to the national system of higher education
through a set of purposeful and sustained strategic partnerships at regional and national level,
and to extend our international reach through a network of global partnerships;
to be an excellent place to work, known for a collegial ethos which empowers all staff to
contribute fully to the development of the university;
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to enable the achievement of ambitious strategic objectives in challenging circumstances
through careful planning, excellent services and infrastructure, and sound governance and
management.
The University has distinctive institutional strengths in six thematic priority areas:
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People, Place and Environment;
Social and Economic Transformations;
Human Health;
Mathematics, Communications and Computation;
Humanities in Practice; Sources, Resources & Discourses;
Human Cultures, Experience & Creativity.
The University has 27 academic departments which are organised into three Faculties: Arts, Celtic
Studies and Philosophy; Science and Engineering; and Social Sciences. The University is also home
to a number of multi- and trans-disciplinary research institutes, including the Hamilton Institute, the
National Centre for Geocomputation, the National Institute for Regional and Spatial Analysis, and
Institute of Immunology.
In a pioneering recent development, Maynooth University, Dublin City University and the Royal
College of Surgeons in Ireland have established the 3U Partnership, a new strategic association that
brings together the distinctive and complementary strengths of the three institutions.
Commercialisation Office
The Commercialisation Office at Maynooth University was established in 2005 to develop
commercialisation, industry links and technology transfer activity. The Commercialisation Office is the
responsibility of the Vice president of Research along with the Research Development Office. The
Commercialisation Office has responsibility for protection and exploitation of Maynooth University
developed intellectual property and for developing links with industry to promote collaboration and
technology transfer. The Commercialisation Office runs programs in commercialisation and innovation
to promote development and partnership.
The Commercialisation Office was funded under Enterprise Ireland’s Technology Transfer
Strengthening Initiative (TTSI) which ran from 2007 through 2012 and which now continues in a TTSI
phase 2 for the period 2012-2016, during which the Office leads a TT consortium to support several
Institutes of Technology.
The Commercialisation Office is now recruiting a Business Incubation Centre Manager to run
the new Business Incubation Centre which will be a focus for activity in incubation and development
of Maynooth University spin-out companies, Maynooth University student start-up companies and
spin-in companies partnering with Maynooth University expertise.
Business Incubation Centre Manager
Applications are invited for the post of Business Incubation Centre (BIC) Manager. The BIC
Manager will be responsible for running all BIC programs and for the operational management of the
BIC. We seek a dynamic and motivated individual with skills and experience in management and in
developing and leading incubation programs and who will report to the Director of Commercialisation
at Maynooth University.
Applicants will have a postgraduate qualification, preferably in business, management or a
scientific discipline together with demonstrated business qualifications and / or experience. The role
will involve hands-on support of early stage companies as well as operational and budget
management of the BIC. The manager will support in new company formation and development, in
mentoring particularly to technology based companies and in start-up company funding. The role will
also require event organisation, sales and marketing of the BIC and integration of the BIC with both
the Commercialisation Office activity and other Maynooth University entrepreneurial and innovation
programs, across all levels and faculties.
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Principal Duties
Operational and Financial Management of the BIC
o Ensure the BIC runs as a stand-alone business unit, providing rental income to meet all
operational and investment costs.
o Ensure the BIC delivers appropriate incubation and innovation related programs for clients
and Maynooth University.
o Manage the rental agreements and rental invoicing to BIC clients.
o Interact with all stakeholders to ensure successful operation, including with Maynooth
University, Maynooth University partners, EI, local authorities and others.
o Create new initiatives to ensure the BIC remains an attractive option for clients and remains at
or close to capacity occupation with the right mix of high potential technology companies
linked to Maynooth University.
o Establish and manage a BIC board as agreed by Maynooth University.
o Be responsible for development and implementation of BIC policies and procedures as
approved by BIC board from time to time.
o Ensure compliance with the terms and conditions relating to Enterprise Ireland capital funding.
o Provide written reports to the BIC board and Maynooth University on operations, budget,
policy and procedures and to Enterprise Ireland in compliance with EI funding agreement
obligations.
Mentoring / development of client companies
o Ensure client companies receive sound advice and mentoring to help them grow and develop,
in partnership with external service providers and within budget.
o Ensure clients are well serviced in terms of BIC supports and Maynooth University delivers as
per its rental agreement contracts.
o Ensure clients have a first class operational facility within the BIC as would normally be
expected.
o Design and deliver new appropriate support programs.
o Be responsible for the New Frontiers program in collaboration with Athlone Institute of
Technology and other such programs that may emerge.
Marketing the BIC and related University services
o Ensure the BIC is let at or close to capacity with a pipeline of clients and is managed for long
term sustainability and growth.
o Market the BIC and related Maynooth University expertise and services to ensure good client
and potential client relationships with Maynooth University.
o Promote the BIC supports both on campus and throughout the region in coordination with
existing National and Regional agencies.
Creating an environment for entrepreneurship within the BIC
o Interface with existing Maynooth University operation such as commercialisation of research,
research / industry partnerships and entrepreneurial programs such as EDEN.
o Encourage student participation in start-up companies, provide hot desk space and related
services to drive this agenda.
o Encourage strong interactions with BIC clients and Maynooth University, encourage
participation in innovation events across both parties and ensure a good atmosphere for
collaboration exists between BIC clients and Maynooth University researchers as far as
possible.
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The experience and skill sets of the BIC Manager
This section details the necessary skills, qualifications, experience and other attributes needed to
carry out the job. Applications are assessed against each of the criteria either at application or
interview stage. Applications will be deemed unsuccessful if an essential criterion is not met.
Essential qualifications, experience and skills:
 Postgraduate degree in a business or technical discipline
 Operational and financial management skills
 Event organisation and management skills
 Experience in mentoring start-up companies
 Excellent communication/ inter-personal skills
 Excellent organisational skills
 Excellent marketing skills
 Experience in forming and managing relationships with sponsors and industry partners
 Knowledge of start-up supports available in Ireland
 Strong negotiation skills
 Demonstrated ability to manage the needs of many stakeholders
Desirable qualifications, experiences and skills:
 Advanced degree in business, management or science.
 Over 5 years experience in supporting start-ups in the technology sector
 A formal qualification in mentoring / coaching
 Direct start-up experience relevant to bringing products to market
 Intimate knowledge of the interface between academia and industry
 Experience in technology and product development
 Experience in IP management
 Experience in creation of spin-out companies, raising finance and investment
 Experience in contract negotiation and associated legal agreements
 Experience in licensing technology
 Experience in student start-up company development
 Knowledge of a broad sector of technologies
 Ability to promote technology and science and attract partners and investors
Selection and Appointment
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Only shortlisted candidates will be invited to attend for interview;
Appointments will be approved by the President based on the report of the selection board;
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It is anticipated that interviews will be held during the week of the 23 February 2015;
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The appointment is expected to be effective from 1 May 2015.
Salary
Senior Administrative Officer IV (Pre 1995):
Senior Administrative Officer IV (Post 1995)*:
€52,324 – €79,139 p.a. (7 points)
€55,035 – €83,072 p.a. (7 points)
Appointment will be made in accordance with the Department of Finance pay guidelines.
*New entrants to the public sector will be appointed on the first point of the Senior Administrative
Officer IV (Post 1995) payscale.
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Application Procedure
Please ensure that you USE THE FOLLOWING REFERENCE BIC_Mgr in the subject line of your
application email. This will clarify which role you are applying for.
Applications should be made by sending the following information
[email protected]
as attachments to
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A Curriculum Vitae, including all qualifications and experience, and a covering letter
addressing your interest and suitability for the role;
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The names, email addresses, correspondence addresses and telephone numbers of three
referees whom the University may contact.
The completed application documents should be forwarded by email to arrive no later than midnight,
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Sunday, February 8 , 2015. Late applications will not be accepted.
Maynooth University is an equal opportunities employer
The position is subject to the Statutes of the University
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