Director of Infrastructure & Technical ServicesContract: Full Time/Fixed Term Tyndall is a critical national research resource and key national research infrastructure at University College Cork (UCC), 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.
We are currently in expansion mode and expect to double both our physical footprint and headcount within the next 5 years. As a result, Tyndall now has a requirement for an acknowledged proven leader in best-in-class infrastructure and technical services management and service delivery, who will be a key enabler of the next Tyndall strategic plan. The successful candidate will have a continuous improvement ethos, strong leadership skills, and will have customer delivery as a key focus.
An ability to motivate managers and team members, as well as obtaining the support of internal customers, will be important in terms of introducing new initiatives, new approaches, and in developing synergies within existing functions.
As Tyndall embarks on this significant growth strategy over the next 5 years, this role will be critical in helping to drive this growth seamlessly in terms of the effective management of a multi-disciplinary team, large-scale infrastructure projects, related change planning, commissioning, large-scale tool installation, and related maintenance, and through the coordination of a multi-site environment and all that entails.
The role will also be responsible for providing day-to-day oversight of the Health & Safety function at Tyndall.
Reporting to the Tyndall CEO or nominee, and working in close collaboration with other institutional leaders as a member of the senior management team, key responsibilities of the role include:
Leadership & management: Manage and mentor managers in facilities, maintenance and H&S and related teams, fostering a culture of innovation and continuous improvement.Develop and implement strategies, objectives, and relevant metrics to drive performance, synergies, and accountability.Provide operational leadership to and motivate a diverse group of professionals covering areas including building management, facilities services, infrastructure management, research tool maintenance, energy management, health & safety, and general soft services to the site.With best-in-class customer service as a key objective, instill this focus in all activities while driving optimal service delivery.Strategic planning: Collaborate with the Tyndall senior leadership team to define and deliver on long-term strategic vision and objectives.Plan appropriately for the agreed Tyndall strategic growth objectives.Drive a strong quality focus in all areas, and continue progressing the benefits of ISO50001 accreditation, while considering other accreditations of relevance.Identify and implement innovative technologies and methodologies to enhance productivity and efficiency across all operations.Project oversight: Direct and manage complex projects from conception to completion, ensuring adherence to timelines, budgets, and quality standards.Ensure all 3rd party interactions are managed effectively, and that service delivery is optimised.Coordinate with cross-functional teams (internally and externally) to ensure successful project and service delivery.Manage and maintain all external key relationships effectively.Budget management: Drive effective cost control across all activity areas, using new initiatives to introduce operational efficiencies.Ensure strong budget management across all functions, and oversee effective resource deployment.Drive a value-for-money culture within the team, with the objective of cost efficiencies where possible.Be proactive in seeking financial/grant aid for new initiatives as appropriate.Talent development: Foster a collaborative and inclusive work environment that encourages professional growth and innovation.Develop a best-in-class team of technical and support managers and professionals.Reporting: Develop key metrics that clearly monitor performance and delivery, which inform strategic decisions and assist in optimal resource allocation.Report on a regular basis to the CEO, to the management team and to the Tyndall Board as required.Carry out any additional duties as may reasonably be required within the general scope and level of the post.Selection Criteria Decisions made at shortlisting and interview will be based on the following:
Essential: At least 10 years' leadership experience in a similar demanding role, with a clear record of delivery.An honours degree in a relevant discipline, with additional relevant postgraduate or professional engineering qualifications.Strong track record of achievement in career to date.Extensive operational and management experience in a senior role within a process-intensive environment, ideally in the semiconductor area.Prior business unit/segment responsibility in industry or in a commercially focused research organisation.Demonstrable strong experience of significant project management of complex infrastructure projects, and the efficient management of large-scale related budgets.Strong background in developing and managing formalised accredited systems (e.g. ISO) with extensive compliance and audit management experience.Proven analytical and problem-solving abilities, always focusing on the big picture.Experience of organisational change programmes, strategic planning, and implementation.Exceptional interpersonal, communication, and negotiation skills.Desirable: Knowledge/experience of public funding environments, structures, and procedures.Experience of the third level sector and an understanding of the related wider issues and challenges.Conditions of employment Salary scale (new entrants): Senior Admin III Salary €87,455– €123,915 (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 Prof William Scanlon at ******
Closing date of applications is 5pm, 25th October 2024.
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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