Job Title: New Frontiers Programme Manager
The Regional Development Centre (RDC) at Dk IT serves as a commercially oriented interface between Dk IT and the industrial, commercial, and business life of the region.
The RDC has been an engine for regional economic growth and development since 1989.
Centre's Expertise
* Business Development Support Services for innovative start-up enterprises.
* Knowledge Transfer Services for established enterprises and external organisations.
* Support for the Commercialisation of Institute Intellectual Property.
* Special Development Projects of a strategic nature undertaken on behalf of the Institute and in partnership with external partners and agencies.
New Frontiers Programme
New Frontiers is Ireland's National Entrepreneur Development Programme delivered at a local level by Institutes of Technology and funded by Enterprise Ireland.
The mission of New Frontiers is to create regional and economic prosperity by effectively supporting highly ambitious entrepreneurs who are capable of creating scalable, sustainable new businesses and jobs.
Responsibilities
* Recruitment of start-up entrepreneurs onto the New Frontiers programmes delivered in Dk IT RDC and in Invent DCU.
* Recruitment and management of mentors, trainers, and coaches to support the aims of the New Frontiers Programme.
* Promotion and marketing of the New Frontiers Programme to include social media marketing.
* Overall management of the candidate selection process.
* Management of budget, suppliers, and other resources for the New Frontiers Programme.
* Continuously reviewing and developing content for the New Frontiers Programmes.
* Preparation of reports for internal and external stakeholder use.
* Facilitating placements and internships for Dk IT students with start-up companies based in the RDC, with programme participants, and past participants.
* Coaching entrepreneurs through the feasibility and market research phase of product or service development.
* Mentoring and project managing technology, product, and internationally traded service-based start-ups from concept stage to investor-ready stage.
* Advising companies on funding and investment options available to them.
* Assisting with the preparation of investment propositions and investment pitch decks.
* Supporting the Incubation Centre Manager to market Dk IT RDC, including the promotion of the incubation spaces, hot desks, enterprise development programmes, innovation voucher scheme, mentoring supports, and student start-up supports.
* Organising and managing enterprise-based events, seminars, and conferences for businesses, entrepreneurs, researchers, academics, investors, and state support agencies.
* Management of relationships with key stakeholders.
* Promoting enterprise and self-employment as valid career paths to Dk IT student population as part of the wider Institute agenda.
* Developing student entrepreneurship supports and programmes in Dk IT, including guest lecturing and presenting.
* Acting as a panel member for academic end-of-year entrepreneurship presentations.
Requirements
* Possess a primary degree in Business, Science, or Engineering discipline, preferably with a relevant postgraduate qualification.
* Have experience in delivering an enterprise and business support programme or its equivalent.
* At least 5 years' experience working with SMEs (small/medium-sized companies), within the knowledge-based sectors.
* Extensive networks into knowledge-based companies and regional/national stakeholders.
* Extensive Project Management experience.
* Excellent interpersonal and analytical skills.
* Excellent communication skills, verbal and written, with the ability to represent Dk IT and the RDC at the highest level to external stakeholders.
* Ability to network and engage with key regional stakeholders and in particular Enterprise Ireland and the Local Enterprise Offices.
* Understanding of the needs of industry and start-up enterprises.
* Marketing & Communication skills and experience.
* Experience of managing social media.
* Ability to work on own initiative as well as part of a team.
* Proven people management skills.
* The ability to build and sustain strong and trusting working relationships.