Director of Innovation and Industry Engagement

Cork, Munster, Ireland
Research
Professional Support & Services
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Director of Innovation and Industry Engagement
Contract: Full Time/Fixed Term

Tyndall National Institute is an international leader in semiconductor research and innovation and a key actor and hosting partner in the delivery of the European Commission’s ‘Chips for Europe Initiative’ (EU Chips Act).

As Ireland’s leading research and innovation organisation and a flagship Institute of University College Cork, Tyndall’s mission is to have a significant impact on the economic development of Ireland within a European and global context. Tyndall plays a major role in the delivery of ‘Silicon Island’, Ireland’s national semiconductor strategy through its collaboration with industry, the commercialisation of intellectual property and the creation of new semiconductor related start-ups. With an annual turnover of around €60 million, the Institute has a community of 700 researchers, innovators, engineers, support staff, postgraduate students, and industry researchers-in-residence.

Significant progress has been made against the ambitious goals set out in the last Strategic Plan (Tyndall 2025) and the foundations have been laid for a new strategy that will see additional growth with more focus on the semiconductor sector out to 2030 and beyond. With significant committed Irish government support and EU Chips Act funding, our emerging strategy will see Tyndall scale in both capacity and capability for its innovation and industry engagement activities.

The new senior executive role of Director of Innovation and Industry Engagement was established in response to these investments and to ensure that we realise our ambitions for Ireland and the global semiconductor sector.

Reporting to the Tyndall CEO, the role will be responsible for all aspects, strategic and operational, of the Institute’s innovation (commercialisation and new ventures, start-ups, spin-outs and spin-ins) and industry engagement (business development, collaborative research, EU Chips Act Pilot Lines) activities and portfolio. As a core member of the Tyndall Executive Leadership Team (ELT), the Director of Innovation and Industry Engagement will take overall executive responsibility for the delivery of our actions and activities in support of the ‘Silicon Island’ National Strategy and for ensuring that Tyndall remains best-in-class in working with the semiconductor and related sectors.

Duties and Responsibilities

  • Leadership and oversight of all aspects of Tyndall’s innovation and entrepreneurship strategy and delivery, including the creation of spin-outs, support for start-ups, IP commercialisation, externally funded initiatives, ecosystem development activities, and entrepreneurial culture and capability.

  • Leadership and oversight of all aspects of Tyndall’s industry engagement strategy and delivery, including the development and maintenance of strategic industry partnerships with large enterprises, development of the Irish semiconductor sector and support for SMEs, business development across the Institute, and support for research teams seeking industry partners.

  • Ensuring the success and sustainability of major externally funded activities such as the EU IC³ Chips Competence Centre and Tyndall’s EU Chips Act Pilot Line Activities and the MCCI Technology Centre.

  • Executive responsibility for our partnership and mission delivery for relevant State Agencies such as Enterprise Ireland and IDA Ireland.

  • Close coordination and partnership with relevant units of University College Cork (UCC), particularly UCC Innovation and the wider Office of the Vice-President for Research and Innovation, and with the wider higher education ecosystem in Ireland.

  • Engagement with international research organisations in relation to strategic cooperation for innovation and development to the global semiconductor industry.

  • As part of the Tyndall ELT, ensure the development and delivery of the forthcoming Tyndall 2030 Strategic Plan with direct responsibility for delivery of relevant theme(s).

  • Direct line management of all senior managers within the Innovation and Industry engagement portfolio including all relevant hosted centres.

  • Carry out any additional duties as may reasonably be required given the executive-level nature of the post.

Essential Criteria

  • A primary degree in engineering, science or technology (or related field) and an MBA or other relevant postgraduate qualification.

  • Ability to develop, implement and lead innovation and industry engagement strategies aligned with the Institute’s mission and strategy and the Silicon Island Semiconductor Strategy.

  • Strong knowledge of the semiconductor value chain and ecosystem trends, particularly in the context of the EU Chips Act and industrial research and development.

  • Proven senior-level commercial management experience ideally in the ICT sector with broad technical knowledge of the market for specialist ICT technologies and new venture development.

  • Successful business unit leadership in a similar management role within industry or a research organisation.

  • A proven track record in successfully managing strategic partnerships, fostering long-term collaborations and client relationship development, negotiating major bids, and high-value contract negotiation.

  • Demonstrable leadership capability to influence, inspire, motivate and manage an experienced team in a high-technology international business.

  • Skilled in structured processes and governance, with experience in large corporates or entrepreneurial environments.

  • Excellent communicator, able to articulate vision and value propositions clearly.

  • Experience in the management, transfer and licensing of technology within the public or private sectors.

  • Experience operating at executive or board level and collaborating effectively across multidisciplinary teams, with the ability to influence senior stakeholders across academia, government, and industry.

Desirable Criteria

  • Experience of operating with or within the Higher Education sector or the public sector and/or a demonstrated understanding of the related wider issues and challenges and the capacity to work effectively in partnership with public sector research teams.

  • Experience in the generation or development of technology-based start-up companies is desirable.

  • Knowledge/experience of national and international public funding environments, structures and procedures.

  • Experience of working with government agencies and officials at a senior level.

Conditions of Employment
Salary scale (new entrants): Senior Admin IIA (Grade 10) Salary scale €128,368– €150,759 (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 Professor William Scanlon.
Closing date of applications is 1 pm Monday 15 September 2025.

Application Instructions
Please 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.

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