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A Programme Manager to join our team

Programme Manager, Design Hub

Catalyst is seeking an experienced and highly motivated Programme Manager to join our team.

Design Hub is a new Catalyst programme that will provide bespoke one to one support for individuals at the very beginning of their innovation journey and will create a new track for more diverse non-tech/non-STEM founders to start innovation led businesses.

The Design Hub programme will serve as a safe space for innovation and the development of new ideas, products, services, and solutions. Working in collaboration with the Entrepreneurship for All Programme, the Design Hub will support the increased entrepreneurial activity and success, by improving ambition knowledge and confidence in under-represented audiences.

 

Key Information

  • Fixed term contract ending July 2024 with a possibility for extension.
  • Competitive salary: £35,000 – £40,000 subject to experience.
  • A comprehensive benefits package.
  • Opportunity for part time role is available minimum 3 days per week.
  • Based at the Innovation Centre, Queen’s Road, Belfast (hybrid working arrangement available).
  • Reporting to Entrepreneurship for All Programme Manager.
  • Closing 24th September at 5pm.

Interested?

Benefits of working at Catalyst

Competitive Benefits Package
Private medical insurance for you and your dependents
Generous pension contribution
Generous life assurance policy
Enhanced parental leave packages
Free open access to company organised events
Free parking onsite
Learning and development opportunities

The Role

What are we looking for?

As the Programme Manager for the Design Hub, you will be responsible for overseeing the development, implementation, and continuous improvement of the programme. You will work closely with various stakeholders and partners, to cultivate a vibrant and supportive ecosystem that nurtures creativity, innovation, and business growth.

This is a unique opportunity to make a lasting impact on the entrepreneurial ecosystem by championing diversity, equity, and inclusion.

Responsibilities

  • Conduct user research and collaborate with both internal and external stakeholders to ensure the Design Hub incorporates best practices and industry standards for promoting inclusivity and diversity.
  • Design and deliver a range of initiatives that cater to participant’s needs including design sprints, prototyping sessions, ideation workshops, coaching and networking events.
  • Oversee the end-to-end delivery of the programme, ensuring actions are delivered on time, within both scope and budget.
  • Monitor and evaluate the programme’s effectiveness, making data-driven adjustments, to continually improve impact and alignment with Catalyst’s strategic goals.
  • Oversee a fair and inclusive participant recruitment process, to identify and target audiences.
  • Provide personalised support and mentorship to participants, to remove barriers to entrepreneurial pathways.
  • Foster an environment of continuous learning and growth, assisting participants to navigate and refine their design concepts and business process.
  • Identify and nurture partnerships with existing and new stakeholders to enhance the Design Hub’s offering and benefit to programme participants.
  • Set and manage budget for design and delivery of the programme.
  • Oversee and manage external resources, such as Design coaches, to maximise programme effectiveness.
  • Prepare and present regular progress reports, evaluations, and impact assessments to key-decision makers, including Executive Team, and external stakeholder or funding partners.
  • Work with other programme managers to leverage synergies between programmes for entrepreneurs.
  • Maintain a strong working relationship with the Brand and Marketing team to ensure the programme is appropriately marketed to reach target audience.
  • Undertaking any other reasonable duties which fall within the remit of this role.

Essential Criteria

  • At least 3 years’ experience in a similar position, including creative design and delivery of programme/project management and/or community development.
  • Proven experience of user centric design.
  • Strong interpersonal and communication skills with the ability to connect with diverse audiences.
  • Collaborative mindset with the ability to work effectively with cross functional teams and external partners.
  • Ability to organise and plan work to achieve performance targets and deliver against strict deadlines.
  • Demonstrated commitment to the mission and values of Catalyst.

Desirable Criteria

  • Experience of being a founder, especially a non-technical founder.
  • Lived experience of the product development process and challenges involved.
  • Experience accessing funding and support for bringing an idea to market and/or funding a programme activity.

Special Requirements

  • Proof of right to work in the UK

Criteria may be enhanced to aid shortlisting. Exceptional candidates who do not meet the criteria may be considered for the role provided they have the necessary skills and experience.

More info about Catalyst

  • About Catalyst

    Catalyst is an independent, not-for-profit organisation. We work for the greater good to build an inclusive innovation community in an entrepreneurial ecosystem throughout Northern Ireland. The epicentre of Northern Ireland’s tech sector, we provide everything that innovators and entrepreneurs need to reach higher and succeed faster – a home, business support, connected networks and much more besides. We invest, pro bono, all surplus profits from our property portfolio into nurturing a community-led innovation ecosystem that supports over 900 start-ups, entrepreneurs, and innovators so they can grow, scale and flourish. 

  • Diversity and Inclusion at Catalyst

    Diversity and inclusion aren’t boxes to tick on a CSR list. At Catalyst, they are 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 are proud to be recognised by the Diversity Charter for achieving silver status, with ambitions to 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. 

  • Working at Catalyst

    A certified Great Place to Work®, Catalyst is one of Northern Ireland’s most exciting employers.  

    With a strong vision of Opportunity for all from world-leading innovation, this is a workplace brimming with ambition to create social, cultural, and economic advantage. We are a force for good, bold in our approach with integrity at our core and passion in everything we do.  

  • Our Values

    INTEGRITY

    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.

    PASSION

    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 BOLD

    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.

Have a question?

Contact Emma at emma.green@wearecatalyst.org

Emma Green

Emma Green

HR Officer

Emma Catalyst”s HR Officer and works in the People & Culture team. As HR Officer... read more
Emma Green

Emma Green

HR Officer

Emma Catalyst”s HR Officer and works in the People & Culture team.

As HR Officer, in a small and busy team, Emma is responsible for providing expert support on daily activities and key HR projects.

Prior to joining Catalyst, Emma obtained a Master’s degree in Human Resource Management and is an Associate member of the Chartered Institute of Personnel and Development.

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