Head of Innovation Opportunity!

The Alpha Innovation Centre is an exciting new venture, created to build a strong innovative and entrepreneurial ecosystem enabling businesses, both startups and existing, to scale, internationalise and respond effectively to their market opportunities. Co-funded by Enterprise Ireland under the Border Enterprise Development Fund and led by Donegal 2040 Strategic Development DAC, the centre will provide a bespoke pre-accelerator for early idea entrepreneurs as well as an extensive programme of wrap-around supports for businesses.

The Alpha Innovation Centre will build on the latent potential of the emerging tech start-up scene in the Northwest, contributing to the region’s reputation as a great location to invest and do business.

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The Head of Innovation will lead the development of a supportive eco-system by offering workspace and resources, a living lab, mentorships, peer support, thematic workshops, events and training. They will work with strategic partners to develop and deliver a pre-accelerator in the region, identifying and supporting potential start-ups to validate their businesses and create viable, scalable enterprises. The role holder will lead the management and operation of all aspects of the centre, fostering a collaborative, innovation fueled culture.

Harnessing the potential of strategic connections, they will build networks of expert mentors, strategic advisors and senior stakeholders to facilitate meaningful linkages with aspiring entrepreneurs as well as intensifying digital cluster development. The Head of Innovation will work closely with academia across the island of Ireland to leverage the transfer of knowledge and technologies, encouraging research-intensive activities and further R&D potential. They will pursue opportunities including funding and partnership formation and will match the corporate capabilities of industry partners with start-ups, providing a platform for programmes which help create spin-out intrapreneurship opportunities.

The role will be a 3-year fixed term contract initially. The closing date for applications is Thursday 16th September 2021.

Applicants should possess the following skills and experience:

A third level degree qualification or equivalent.
Significant relevant experience in a “tech” or “digital” innovation, marketing or business development environment.
Demonstrable track record in successful management of, or personal experience of, innovation or commercialisation resulting in scalable and investable business success. (Applicants may also have founded, or have senior leadership experience within, a high growth start-up.)
A strong working knowledge of the technology/start-up world with a passion for and understanding of entrepreneurial and start up communities and accelerating the regional start-up ecosystem.
Highly enthusiastic and self-motivated, able to inspire and mentor both staff and clients.
Results-driven, with a strong focus on goal setting, performance delivery and accountability and with a strong personal vision and ambition.
Excellent negotiation, networking, communication and interpersonal skill.
A strong network of engaged national and international community of thought-leaders, domain experts and industry innovators would be desirable.
This is a unique and hugely rewarding opportunity to be part of an enabling initiative that will have far reaching benefits for the entire border region of Ireland.

Recruitment for this position is managed by Narratology Executive Search and applications are available

here

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