Non-Executive Directors and Chairperson to join the Catalyst Board
Catalyst wishes to invite candidates who share our passion for entrepreneurship, inclusive innovation, and ambition for Northern Ireland, to submit applications in the form of their CV for the appointment of up to four Non-Executive Directors to the Board including the position of Chair.
As an Equal Opportunity employer, we prioritize merit-based appointments and are committed to fostering diversity on our Board and throughout our organisation.
Catalyst particularly encourages female candidates to apply for these positions as part of our efforts to ensure diverse representation at the board level.
If applying for the role of Chair, please note that, in addition to the responsibilities outlined below, candidates will also be expected to undertake the following additional duties:
1. Chair board meetings to drive strategic progress and effective governance, ensuring discussions are focused and decisions are well-informed.
2. Develop and set agendas in consultation with the CEO/Company Secretary and board committees to align with strategic priorities and address key issues.
3. Ensure that board members receive complete and timely briefings from the CEO and executive team to support informed decision-making.
4. Foster open communication and balance among executive and non-executive directors to enhance board cohesion and effectiveness.
5. Ensure board committees are structured effectively and align with board objectives, contributing efficiently to strategic and governance tasks.
6. Track the organisation’s performance against strategic goals and provide guidance on corrective actions to ensure alignment with the strategic plan.
7. Lead annual evaluations of board performance and the CEO, while facilitating training and development to improve board governance and strategic capability.
8. Oversee the recruitment, succession planning, and induction of new board members to build a complementary and high-performing board.
9. Provide strategic leadership and represent the organisation to external stakeholders to support its objectives and enhance its public image and standing within the ecosystem.
For a quarter-century, Catalyst and our partners have been empowering businesses and communities in Northern Ireland and the Northwest region of Ireland.
Since opening our original site, Catalyst has grown to span eight buildings over two campuses in Belfast and Derry-Londonderry and is now home to more than 140 innovative start-ups, scale-ups and large companies employing up to 3,000 people in technology-focused jobs. Our programmes, which support every stage of the entrepreneurial journey, include Generation Innovation, INVENT, Co-Founders, Springboard, Way to Scale and Inbound Investors.
We look toward a future filled with possibility and prosperity.
Candidates applying for the role of Chair will also be required to demonstrate each of the following capabilities in their CV:
1. Demonstrated experience as a chairperson with a track record of guiding organisations through complex governance and strategic challenges.
2. Strong leadership abilities with a proven capacity to inspire and lead a diverse board, promoting a highperformance culture.
3. Ability to create a collaborative and constructive board environment, facilitating effective teamwork and balanced dialogue among board members and executives.
4. High level of diplomacy and tact in managing sensitive or confidential issues, with a demonstrated ability to handle complex situations with discretion and professionalism.
5. Exemplary integrity and a deep commitment to upholding the organisation’s vision, mission, and values, ensuring all actions and decisions align with the organisation’s long-term objectives.
6. Excellent communication skills, with the ability to articulate information clearly and persuasively to diverse audiences, including stakeholders, the board, and external partners.
7. In-depth understanding of corporate governance principles, with the ability to ensure compliance with best practices and regulatory requirements, while also promoting high standards of governance.
8. Proven ability to manage and resolve crises effectively, demonstrating strong problem-solving skills and maintaining strategic focus during challenging times.
9. Proficiency in engaging with a wide range of stakeholders, including government, academia and industry partners, to build strong relationships and enhance the organisation’s reputation and standing.
Catalyst is an independent, non-profit science and technology hub focused on fostering innovation and entrepreneurship in Northern Ireland.
The epicentre of innovation in Northern Ireland, we provide everything that innovators and entrepreneurs need to reach higher and succeed faster – a home, a powerful community, enhanced by international networks of venture capital, and market development support.
Inclusivity is at the core of what we do at Catalyst, we are working to remove the barriers that prevent people from accessing opportunities in the innovation economy, such as access to entrepreneurship and learning the skills to innovate.
We invest, pro bono, all surplus profits from our property portfolio into nurturing a community-led innovation ecosystem that supports technology-focused startups, entrepreneurs, and innovators so they can create, scale, and flourish.
Diversity and inclusion aren’t boxes to tick on a CSR list. At Catalyst, they’re part of our DNA, lived, breathed, seen, and heard across our community, projects, and co-working spaces.
We not only want to foster and empower a culture of innovation, but also an environment where people can be their true, authentic self and thrive, and we’re proud to be recognised by the Diversity Charter for achieving Bronze status, which is the first step as we progress to Gold.
As an equal opportunity employer, we recruit based solely on the individual’s ability to perform the role, and that’s allowed us to create an inclusive workplace which celebrates the diversity of our teams and community.
Catalyst is Northern Ireland’s most exciting employer. With a strong purpose of creating world class innovation communities in Northern Ireland, this is a workplace brimming with ambition to create social, cultural, and economic advantage.
We approach everything with a straightforward, open and honest attitude. Every new challenge requires a brave, smart, and flexible way of thinking and we put integrity at the heart of every decision. Our strong moral code intuitively understands what doing the right thing means in every situation.
We love what we do. We are committed to our members and partners, ready to go above and beyond for the future we are building together. This is the ‘Catalyst Way’. We sharpen our senses, take calculated risks together and work hard for a brighter future.
Be ambitious and dare to be different. We are the catalyst that connects entrepreneurs and businesses to an eco-system and community that transforms ideas and innovation into real-world reality with global impact.
Catalyst - © 2024
