We are seeking an experienced, dynamic leader with strong expertise and experience in establishing clusters in the manufacturing sector and working across supply chains to maximise the collective impact of innovation and productivity to grow business opportunities and create economic wealth. In this role, you will be a horizon-scanner, market-shaper and thought leader, ambitious for positioning AMIC as a pioneer amongst manufacturing RTOs in enabling competitive clusters and supply chains and supporting individual businesses to scale.
As a member of the AMIC senior management team, the Head of Ecosystems and Cluster Development will work with the executive leadership and Heads of Group to develop and implement our Supply Chain and Cluster strategy, connected into our business development (BD). The successful applicant will develop novel approaches to driving cluster and supply chain competitiveness, building on international best practice. Working in partnership within and beyond AMIC, this person will establish and secure funding for interventions that will drive cluster and supply chain growth and investment.
About The Person
ESSENTIAL CRITERIA:
1. Honours degree, equivalent or higher qualification in Manufacturing, Engineering, ICT, Physics, Business or a related field OR substantial relevant working in a similar role.
2. Significant evidence of leadership in developing supply chains, clusters and manufacturing ecosystems.
3. Significant experience of securing R&D grant funding from a range of sources including NI, UK and EU funding sources.
4. Strong track record in securing or contributing successfully to multi-million (+£1m) R&D funding applications from local, national and international bodies.
5. Evidence of successful financial and operational delivery of collaborative R&D programmes
6. Evidence of building stakeholder networks and securing collaborative innovation funding
7. Robust and resilient, with strong presence and the ability to confidently deliver complex messages to a diverse and demanding audience and the ability to negotiate and influence at all levels.
8. An analytical mindset with the ability to manage and mitigate risk, with a positive creative instinct to develop solutions to support the objectives of the Advanced Manufacturing Innovation Centre.
9. Excellent communication skills - ability to communicate effectively with colleagues across the institution as well as with outside agencies and a strong commitment to collaboration and collegiality.
10. Demonstrable ability to build networks with and to influence funding bodies, major corporate partners and key stakeholders.
11. Demonstrable commitment to the mission and values of Queen's University Belfast, AMIC and the objectives of the Belfast Region City Deal
12. Passionate about innovation and driving business growth through technology.
To be successful at shortlisting stage, please ensure you clearly evidence in your application how you meet the essential and, where applicable, desirable criteria listed in the Candidate Information on our website.
What we offer:
Beyond a competitive salary, the University offers an attractive benefits package including a holiday entitlement of up to 8.4 weeks a year, pension schemes and development opportunities. We support staff wellbeing with flexible working options, work-life balance initiatives and support for physical and mental health. You can find more detail on all of this and more at
Queen's University is committed to promoting equality of opportunity to all. We subscribe to Equality Charter Marks such as the Diversity Charter Mark NI and Athena Swan and have established staff networks such as iRise (Black, Asian, Minority Ethnic and International Staff Network) and PRISM (LGBTQ+) which help us progress equality. For further information on our commitment to Equality, Diversity and Inclusion, please visit
If you are an international applicant and don't already hold a visa that permits you to take up the role you are applying for, please use the information provided on our website to self-assess whether the University is likely to be able to support a visa application -
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