Head of Enterprise and Operations
€100.5k - €120.9k/yr
Expert
PhD
Cork, Ireland
In Person
Business & StrategyBusiness Operations
About the job
Requirements
- A PhD or equivalent in a relevant scientific or commercial discipline.
- Typically 10 years of significant research and development-related management experience in industrial or academic settings.
- A successful track record of significant contributions to managing large public-sector research centres at a senior level, particularly in business development, commercialisation, and external stakeholder management.
- Demonstrated writing capability contributing to successful large research funding proposals exceeding €5 million to national or European funding bodies.
- Experience reporting to key stakeholders and delivering key performance indicators, ideally in a large public-sector research centre.
- Ability to make significant contributions to policy formulation and organisational or departmental strategy.
- Experience managing key customer relationships and securing significant industry revenue exceeding €1 million per annum.
- Knowledge and experience of intellectual property development, management, and commercialisation, including supporting the creation of successful start-up companies.
- Experience leading the successful planning and delivery of major external events such as industry days and trade shows involving senior stakeholder engagement.
- Excellent report-writing skills.
- Excellent written and verbal communication and negotiation skills.
- Excellent organisational skills and experience working to deadlines while coping with competing priorities.
- Excellent leadership, resource, and people-management skills, with the ability to influence and motivate staff.
- An entrepreneurial, flexible, responsive, and diplomatic style.
- Proven ability to exercise timely, independent, evidence-based judgement in complex situations, considering wider organisational implications.
- Demonstrated experience managing resources and budgets, achieving targets, driving continuous improvement, and ensuring efficiency and compliance with governance requirements.
- Proven ability to build consensus, influence senior stakeholders, and resolve complex disagreements constructively in a multi-stakeholder or multi-institutional environment.
- A strong understanding of relevant national and international research, innovation, and industrial policy, funding environments, and sectoral trends, together with a commitment to continuous professional development.
Responsibilities
- Coordinate strategic engagement and management of key stakeholders, including government agencies, industry partners, and academic partners.
- Support income generation totalling approximately €20 million per annum, including Rinn Semiconductors and associated cost-share commitments, with an industry income target of approximately €2 million per annum.
- Coordinate Rinn Semiconductors operations functions spanning Tyndall, University College Cork, and multiple university partners.
- Work with the Director to continuously evolve and develop the Centre’s mission, vision, and strategy.
- Manage the Centre’s day-to-day operations, including strategic development and management of a large operations team covering business development and industry engagement, contract negotiation, commercialisation and entrepreneurship, intellectual property development strategy, programme management, financial management, European research programme coordination, education and public engagement, event management, and communications; manage interfaces with internal and external colleagues and stakeholders to deliver the Centre’s objectives.
- Lead the operations team by setting objectives and high performance standards, managing performance, and developing team capability.
- Foster an inclusive, open working environment that encourages idea exchange, collaboration, continuous learning, and professional development.
- Lead the planning and implementation of significant organisational change and service improvement initiatives, ensuring effective communication, stakeholder engagement, and adoption of new ways of working.
- Manage risk and compliance matters, including related reporting requirements.
- Exercise sound, timely, evidence-based judgement in resolving complex operational, financial, and strategic issues, evaluating options and implications, and balancing Centre priorities with wider interests, policies, and objectives.
- Ensure effective allocation of financial, human, and operational resources in response to changing priorities, promoting cost efficiency and delivery against agreed plans.
- Review the effectiveness of Centre operations, projects, and services; identify and implement improvements, including appropriate use of information and communications technology, digital systems, and new delivery models.
- Lead and coordinate the Centre’s commercialisation activities, including licensing and start-up creation, in partnership with the University College Cork Technology Transfer Office Director and Tyndall Commercial Director.
- Ensure delivery of key non-research-related targets.
- Represent the Centre, as required, on committees and boards of external partners and stakeholders.
- In partnership with the Director, develop the Centre’s strategy and funding plan; manage Governance and Advisory Board meetings and reporting, as well as Research Ireland reporting and site reviews; ensure the Centre achieves its strategic vision and delivers its key performance indicators.
- Play a leading role within and across Tyndall and coordinate with relevant University College Cork offices and individuals, including the Technology Transfer Office Director and Vice President for Research, reflecting the senior nature of the position.
- In conjunction with the legal office, lead significant contractual negotiations with third parties, including national and international university partners and industry partners.
- Build consensus and constructively manage competing priorities and disagreements across internal and external stakeholders, recognising differing perspectives and institutional requirements.
- Maintain up-to-date knowledge of relevant national and international research, innovation, industrial, and funding policies, and economic, political, and sectoral developments affecting the Centre’s strategy and operations.
- Promote and uphold Tyndall’s values, demonstrating integrity, accountability, respect, and ethical leadership, and ensure the Centre’s activities contribute positively to the wider Institute, University, and public-service agenda.
- Demonstrate resilience, sound judgement, and a balanced approach when managing competing demands, uncertainty, and challenging situations, while maintaining a commitment to personal and professional development.
- Participate in and support Engaged Research activities, as required.
- Ensure all activities support and comply with the Tyndall Quality Management System.
- Ensure all activities support and comply with required health and safety standards.
- Carry out additional duties reasonably required within the general scope and level of the post.
Desired Qualifications
- Demonstrated experience leading and developing multidisciplinary teams, including performance management, effective delegation, coaching, staff development, and organisational change.
- Prior experience working in the semiconductor industry.
- Prior experience working with principal investigators in the academic sector to support development and delivery of major research projects, particularly with industry.
- Experience directing European Union funding acquisition, together with related project management and delivery.
- Experience managing complex communication strategies involving multiple brands.
- Hands-on experience organising and delivering large-scale events.
About the company
Tyndall National Institute is a research institute focused on deep technology. It conducts research in microelectronics, photonics, semiconductors, sensors, energy, communications, and related advanced technologies. The institute works with universities, public research programs, industry partners, and technology developers moving ideas from research toward application. Its environment combines fundamental and applied research with laboratories, fabrication, engineering, doctoral training, program management, technology transfer, and technical operations. Work spans scientific research, engineering, cleanroom work, fabrication, doctoral study, project management, and research support.
Company Size
201-500
Company Stage
Grant
Total Funding
$15.2M
Headquarters
Cork, Ireland
Founded
2004
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Simplify's Take
What believers are saying
- On September 23, 2026, Tyndall helped advance a 6G-ready semiconductor chip.
- The July 1, 2026 optically powered micro-camera and FLIM endoscope expand medtech commercialization paths.
- Tyndall surpassed €83 million in European research funding and launched ASPIRE on April 14, 2026.
What critics are saying
- The €100m expansion approved July 3, 2026 still depends on contract finalization and 2028 delivery.
- Tyndall’s roadmap depends on public programs like INSPIRE, Chips JU, and Research Ireland.
- Imec, CEA-Leti, Fraunhofer, and VTT pressure Tyndall on talent, visibility, and pilot-line relevance.
What makes Tyndall National Institute unique
- Tyndall bridges lab-to-fab semiconductor research through NanoIC, PIXEurope, and INFRACHIP access.
- Its packaging depth spans photonics, chiplets, cryogenic devices, and 3D power delivery.
- Cork-based UCC affiliation gives Tyndall Ireland’s densest public semiconductor research infrastructure.
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Benefits
- Flexible Work Hours
- Remote Work Options
- Paid Vacation
- Professional Development Budget
- Life Insurance
- Disability Insurance