Head of Enterprise and Operations - Rinn Semiconductors

The Head of Enterprise and Operations - Rinn Semiconductors will play a significant leadership role within Rinn Semiconductors and the associated Tyndall photonics research centre activities (collectively “the Centre”), with overall responsibility and accountability for review, formulation and co-ordination of a substantial centre operations management function. In particular, he/she will ensure the high level of coordination and strategic operations planning required to achieve the overall goal of international leadership in Semiconductor and Photonics research, as defined in the Rinn Semiconductors and Tyndall 2030 strategies. The role will have specific primary responsibility for business development and external stakeholder engagement, as well as overall responsibility for overseeing effective day-to-day operational management of the Centre.  He/she will also provide specialist strategic advice to the Director and will be directly involved in the development of long term Centre strategy.

Responsibilities

• Strategic engagement and management of key stakeholders including government agencies (e.g. Research Ireland, EI and IDA) and industry and academic partners;
• Support income generation totalling approximately €20 million per annum, including Rinn Semiconductors and its associated cost share commitments which include an industry income target of approximately €2 million per annum;
• Co-ordinate operations functions for Rinn Semiconductors that span across Tyndall, UCC and multiple university partners; 
• Work with the Director to continuously evolve and develop the Centre’s mission, vision and strategy;
• Responsible for day-to-day operational management of the Centre including the strategic development and management of a large operations team, that includes a diverse range of responsibilities, including business development and industry engagement, contract negotiation, commercialisation and entrepreneurship, IP development strategy, programme management, financial management, European research programme co-ordination, education and public engagement (EPE), event management and communications. This role will also manage the interfaces to internal and external colleagues and stakeholders as required to deliver the Centre’s objectives across this full range of disciplines;
• Provide effective leadership to the operations team, setting objectives, high performance standards, managing performance and developing team capability.
• Foster an inclusive and open working environment that encourages the exchange of ideas, 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 the successful adoption of new ways of working.
• Management of all risk and compliance matters including related reporting requirements;
• Exercise sound, timely and evidence-based judgement in resolving complex operational, financial and strategic issues, evaluating options and their implications, and balancing Centre priorities with the wider interests, policies and objectives.
• Ensure the effective allocation of financial, human and operational resources in response to changing priorities, promoting cost efficiency and delivery against agreed plans.
• Critically review the effectiveness of Centre operations, projects and services, identifying and implementing improvements, including the appropriate use of ICT, digital systems and new delivery models.
• Lead and coordinate Centre’s commercialisation activities including licensing and start-up creation, in partnership with UCC TTO 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/reporting and Research Ireland reporting and site reviews; ensure that the Centre achieves its strategic vision and delivers on its KPIs;
• Play a leading role within and across Tyndall and a lead coordination role with relevant UCC offices and individuals (e.g. TTO Director, VP for Research etc.) that appropriately reflects the senior nature of this position;
• In conjunction with the legal office, lead the Centre’s significant contractual negotiations with third parties including national and international university partners and industry partners.
• Build consensus and manage competing priorities and disagreements constructively across internal and external stakeholders, recognising the differing perspectives and institutional requirements of partner organisations.
• Maintain up-to-date knowledge of relevant national and international research, innovation, industrial and funding policies, and the economic, political and sectoral developments affecting the Centre’s strategy and operations.
• Promote and uphold the values of Tyndall, demonstrating integrity, accountability, respect and ethical leadership, and ensuring that 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 are in support of and in compliance with the Tyndall Quality Management system.
• Ensure all activities are in support of and in compliance with the required Health and Safety standards.
• Carry out any additional duties as may reasonably be required within the general scope and level of the post.

Essential Criteria

The successful candidate is expected to have the following qualifications and experience:

• A PhD (or equivalent) in a relevant scientific or commercial discipline;
• Typically 10 years significant R&D related management experience, in either industrial or academic settings; A successful track record of significant contributions to the management of large public sector research centres at a senior level, particularly in the key focus areas of business development, commercialisation and external stakeholder management;
• Demonstrated writing capability contributing to the development of successful large (>€5M) research funding proposals to national and/or European funding bodies;
• Experience of reporting and KPI delivery to key stakeholders, ideally in the context of a large public sector research centre;
• Ability to make significant contributions to policy formulation and organisation/department strategy;
• Experience of relationship management of key customers and securing significant industry revenue (>€1M p.a.);
• Knowledge and experience of IP development, management and commercialisation activities including supporting the creation of successful start-up companies;
• Experience of 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 of working to deadlines whilst 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, cognisant of the wider organisational implications.
• Demonstrated experience of managing resources, 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 within 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.

Desirable Criteria

• Demonstrated experience of leading and developing multidisciplinary teams, including performance management, effective delegation, coaching, staff development and the delivery of organisational change.
• Prior experience of working in the semiconductor industry;
• Prior experience of working with PIs in the academic sector to support them to develop and deliver major research projects, particularly with industry;
• Experience of the directing of EU funding acquisition, together with related project management and delivery;
• Experience of the management of complex communication strategies involving multiple brands;
• Hands-on experience of the overall organisation and delivery of large-scale events.

Appointment may be made on the Senior Admin IV Salary Scale B €100,534 - € 120,851 per annum. Salary placement on appointment will be in accordance with public sector pay policy. 
For new entrants to the public service, the successful appointment will be at the first point of the scale. Note that there may be more than one appointment through the interview process for this role.

Contract Type - Full Time
Contract Category - Fixed Term

Informal enquiries can be made in confidence to Paul Townsend.

Closing date: 1pm Friday 6th November 2026

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.
The University, at its discretion, may undertake to make an additional appointment(s) from this competition following the conclusion of the 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.