IT ManagerContract: Full Time/5-year fixed term initiallyReporting to: UCC Director of IT Services (or nominee)Location: Tyndall National Institute, UCCTyndall is a critical national research resource and key national research infrastructure at University College Cork (UCC), and was established in 2004 as a strategic partnership between Government and UCC. The Institute is a powerhouse of research activity and a leading European research centre providing a national focal point for excellence in deep-tech research, development and graduate training at the convergence of micro & nano-electronics, photonics, materials and software. It is recognised as an international research leader in semiconductors, particularly as applied to the fields of Agritech & Food Security, Health & Life Sciences, Information & Communications, and Energy and Climate Mitigation.The Institute’s key objective is to have a significant impact on economic development and societal challenges in Ireland. Central to Tyndall’s mission is delivering economic impact through research excellence. It works with industry and academia to transform research into products in its core application areas of electronics, communications, energy, health, agri-food and the environment. With an annual turnover of €50m, the Institute has a community of over 600 researchers, engineers, support staff, postgraduate students, interns and industry researchers-in-residence.As Tyndall embarks on a significant growth strategy over the next 5 years, this role will be critical in helping to deliver this growth seamlessly in terms of the effective management of all related IT infrastructure and related services.Responsibilities of the PostThe IT Manager at Tyndall National Institute will play a pivotal role in shaping and executing the institute’s IT strategy to support its mission of advancing research and innovation. This position is responsible for ensuring the seamless operation, security, and scalability of IT networks, systems and services, which are critical to the institute’s research, administrative, and operational functions. As part of the wider IT Services function, the IT Manager will lead a dynamic team of Tyndall-based IT professionals, fostering a culture of service delivery excellence, collaboration, and continuous improvement. By leveraging cutting-edge technologies and best practices, the IT Manager will enhance the institute’s IT capabilities, drive digital transformation, and ensure that all IT initiatives align with the strategic objectives of Tyndall and UCC.With a strong customer service focus, the IT Manager will have a significant impact on the institute’s ability to conduct cutting-edge research and achieve its strategic objectives. By ensuring a robust and secure IT environment, the IT Manager will enable researchers to focus on research excellence, drive innovation, and contribute to the institute’s international reputation as a leader in research and innovation.Reporting to the UCC Director of IT Services (or his nominee) the appointee will have the following responsibilities:Strategic IT Leadership:Develop and implement a comprehensive IT strategy and roadmap that supports the institute’s research and operational goals.Proactively collaborate with senior Tyndall management to align IT initiatives with the overall strategic plans of the Institute.Work with the UCC IT Services management team to align Tyndall IT plans with overall UCC IT Services technology strategy, goals, policies, and standards.Promote, enhance, and develop Research Computing services for Tyndall and the wider University.Undertake financial planning and budgeting for the IT function within Tyndall, appropriately managing total cost of ownership, contract negotiation and vendor management with relevant suppliers and vendors.Infrastructure and Operations Management:Oversee the design, implementation, and maintenance of robust IT infrastructure, including networks, servers, HPC, and storage solutions.Ensure high availability, reliability, and performance of IT systems to support research activities and administrative functions.Align infrastructure operations and systems to university-wide systems and standards. Maintain and foster good relationships with central UCC IT ServicesProvide operational technical expertise and capability to support the day to day operations of the IT team and servicesCybersecurity and Compliance:Establish and enforce IT security policies and procedures to safeguard sensitive data and systems.Ensure compliance with relevant regulations, standards, university policies, and best practices in IT security and data protection.Team Development and Leadership:Lead, mentor, and develop the local IT team, promoting a culture of innovation, collaboration, and professional growth.Manage all day-to-day aspects of the IT team, set clear objectives, and provide regular feedback and support.User Support and Training:Provide expert technical support to researchers, staff, and students, ensuring timely and satisfactory resolution of IT issues.Develop and deliver training programs to enhance IT literacy and empower users to leverage technology effectively.Ensure a best-in-class service deliveryProject and Partnership Management:Plan, execute, and oversee relevant IT projects, ensuring they are delivered on time, within scope, and on budget.Cultivate and develop external partner relationships, including vendor management, user groups, and contractors. Negotiate value-for-money contracts in accordance with university procurement frameworks.Manage positive relationships with customers and resident clients of Tyndall, ensuring delivery of a professional and high-quality IT service.Develop strong relationships with the research community across Tyndall and UCC.Innovation and Continuous Improvement:Undertake research into emerging IT technologies and platforms and present recommendations and business case for the innovative use of such technologies for Tyndall and the university.Design and implement proactive innovative solutions to IT challenges highlighted by researchers and users generally.Drive continuous improvement initiatives to consistently enhance IT services, processes, and infrastructure within Tyndall.Additional duties as may be reasonably required within the scope and level of the post.Selection Criteria: Decisions made at short listing and interview will be based on the following criteria, which have been identified for the post:Essential CriteriaAn honours degree in computer science, information technology, or a related field. A postgraduate level 8/9 degree is preferred.At least 10 years’ experience of leading an IT department, IT projects, budgets and people in a large complex environment, including a track record of managing complex and sensitive issues within a large team.Proven ability to manage change effectively, while being mindful of technology, business processes, people and changing roles.Proven track record of strong stakeholder management, an ability to influence stakeholders positively, highly effective communications and negotiation skills.Strong infrastructure technical skills and expertise in networks (wired and wireless), datacentre operations and management of compute and storage technology, HPC and large storage solutions, public cloud, and related technology services.Strong technical experience in EUC and workspace collaboration (M365).Proven hands-on technical experience across multiple technologiesEvidence of ability to work on own initiative as well as lead and manage senior technical engineers and team and manage upwards by effective communications with senior university management.Proven track record of running IT operations and delivering complex and critical IT infrastructure solutions and projects in large complex organizations.Exceptional interpersonal, communication and negotiation skills.Desired CriteriaFamiliarity with the specific challenges of providing IT Services in an academic and research environment.Track record of continuous personal development and qualifications including –Project Management qualifications (PMP, Prince2, SCRUM, DevOPS etc)Technical qualifications (Cisco, Microsoft, Virtualisation, Security, Public Cloud etc)Leadership and Management qualificationsExperience of HPC computing, managing and delivering compute and storage services to researchers in a large research or academic environment.Conditions of employmentSalary scale (new entrants): Senior Admin IV Salary €95,664 – €114,996 (Scale B) per annum. Salary placement on appointment will be in accordance with public sector pay policy.Informal enquiries can be made in confidence to Barry O'Sullivan, Head of IT Operations, IT Services at (email protected)Please note: Candidates who do not demonstrate that they meet the essential criteria as detailed above will not be short listed. Candidates are requested to make a personal assessment of these criteria against their own qualifications, skills and abilities to assess whether they should apply for the post.Closing date for application is 21st February 2025Application InstructionsPlease make sure to attach an up to date CV/Resume AND a brief motivation letter outlining how you meet the ‘Essential Criteria’ for this role.A full candidate information pack is available to download by clicking here.Please note that Garda vetting and/or an international police clearance check may form part of the selection process.Please note that an appointment to posts advertised will be dependent on University approval, together with the terms of the employment control framework for the higher education sector.At this time, Tyndall National Institute does not require the assistance of recruitment agencies.Tyndall National Institute at University College, Cork is an Equal Opportunities Employer.