Belong to something amazing… Catalyst is seeking a Director of Innovation Partnerships, a unique role that places you at the heart of Northern Ireland’s innovation ecosystem. In this role you will lead impactful collaborations between industry, academia and funding partners accelerating projects that drive real-world impact and sustainable growth for businesses and the NI economy. Few roles offer the opportunity to influence and shape Northern Ireland’s innovation landscape as directly as this one making it the perfect opportunity for those driven by a passion for pioneering change and advancing meaningful progress. About Catalyst Catalyst is an independent, non-profit science and technology hub dedicated to fostering innovation and entrepreneurship in Northern Ireland. By reinvesting all surplus profits, we cultivate a community-led ecosystem that empowers start-ups, entrepreneurs and innovators to create, scale and thrive. Recognising that innovation is challenging and that few companies can meet all their innovation needs internally alone, we bridge the gaps that hinder progress; whether for multinational corporations, scaling businesses or individuals from underrepresented communities. Our mission is to make it easier for people and companies to innovate, helping Northern Ireland to become a leader in global innovation and making it accessible and impactful for all. At Catalyst we champion inclusive innovation by fostering a diverse society where creativity and participation from all backgrounds drive solutions to local and global challenges, shaping an economy that makes a meaningful difference to the world. Working at Catalyst A certified Great Place to Work® and awarded as one of the top 100 Best Workplaces in the UK for 2024, Catalyst is one of Northern Ireland’s most exciting employers. With a strong vision of Opportunity for all from world-leading innovation, this is a workplace brimming with ambition to create social, cultural and economic advantage. We are a force for good, bold in our approach with integrity at our core and passion in everything we do. Diversity and Inclusion at Catalyst Diversity and inclusion aren’t boxes to tick on a CSR list. At Catalyst, they are part of our DNA lived, breathed, seen and heard across our community, projects and co-working spaces. We not only want to foster and empower a culture of innovation but also an environment where people can be their true, authentic self and thrive and we are proud to be recognised by the Diversity Charter for achieving silver status, with ambitions to progress to Gold. As an equal opportunity employer, we recruit based solely on the individual’s ability to perform the role and that’s allowed us to create an inclusive workplace which celebrates the diversity of our teams and community. What we are looking for? As the Director of Innovation Partnerships, you will lead the development of high-impact consortiums bringing together industry leaders, academia and funders. You will drive collaborations that result in strategic competitive advantage for both multinational corporations and scaling companies by leveraging Catalyst’s open innovation ecosystem to solve real-world challenges and create sustainable growth. This role focuses on delivering commercial outcomes that support Catalyst’s mission to make it easy for companies to innovate. This is a key leadership role within Catalyst. As part of the Executive Team, you will play a critical role in enabling strategic partnerships that will impact the Northern Ireland economy as a whole while also delivering new sustainable income streams to support the Catalyst vision and goals. Key information - Reporting to: CEO - Location: The role will be based at Catalyst, Belfast. Hybrid working arrangements are available. - Salary & benefits : In line with the seniority of this role, an internationally attractive salary will be available in addition to a comprehensive benefits package including private healthcare and generous pension contribution. - Closing Date: Monday 9th December 2024 at noon Key responsibilities 1. Strategic Partnership Development: Drive impact for the Northern Ireland economy by leading high-value partnerships with industry partners, research institutions and funding bodies (including public sector and government agencies) to build R&D consortiums and ecosystem development addressing real-world challenges. 2. Business Development & Relationship Management: Develop and manage key strategic relationships in innovative multinational corporations and scaling companies, identifying opportunities for commercial growth and target impact aligned with Catalyst’s goals. 3. Technology Exploitation: Drive commercial value by identifying and leveraging emerging technologies and intellectual property (IP) within consortium projects. Ensure that innovations translate into sustainable business opportunities. 4. Income Generation: Generate new revenue streams through innovative R&D partnerships and public-private collaborations. 5. Leadership: Provide strategic leadership across multi-disciplinary teams, fostering a culture of innovation, collaboration and high performance. Essential criteria 1. Proven leadership experience in highly innovative, commercial science or technology-driven private sector environments. 2. Proven track record in strategic business development, relationship management at executive level and value creation. 3. Understanding of global innovation ecosystems and the ability to translate research and development into commercial value for Catalyst and companies in the Catalyst ecosystem. 4. Successful experience convening or managing complex partnerships high-impact consortiums with diverse partners, including industry, academia and regional, national and European funders. 5. Demonstrated success in generating sustainable revenue through innovative partnerships and/or R&D collaboration. 6. Proven track record in leading and developing diverse, high-performing teams in fast-paced, innovative environments. Personal Attributes: - Innovative Mindset: Demonstrates a proactive approach to identifying and capitalising on emerging technologies and intellectual property, with a passion for translating ideas into tangible business opportunities. - Technically Credible: Possesses deep expertise in science, technology, and innovation, with the ability to engage confidently and knowledgeably with industry, academic, and technical stakeholders to build trust and foster collaborative partnerships. - Strategic Thinker: Skilled at balancing long-term vision with short-term priorities, with a demonstrated ability to see the big picture, analyse complex challenges, and make decisions that align with Catalyst’s mission and goals. - People-Centric Leader: A strong communicator and relationship-builder who prioritises collaboration, listens to diverse perspectives, and inspires high performance in teams and partners alike, ensuring everyone feels valued and empowered.