We are hiring...
A Programme Manager to join our team
Programme Manager – SEPI
Catalyst is seeking an experienced and highly motivated Programme Manager to lead the delivery of the Shared Education for Positive Innovation (SEPI) programme. This is a senior, delivery–focused role with responsibility for ensuring the successful implementation, governance, impact and sustainability of a flagship PEACEPLUS–funded programme operating on a cross–border, cross–community basis.
The Shared Education for Positive Innovation programme (SEPI) is funded under the SEUPB PEACEPLUS Programme, Area 3.1 – Shared Learning Together
Key Information
- Fixed-term contract ending until March 2028
- Competitive salary up to £40,000, depending on qualifications/experience
- Attractive benefits package – including flexible working options
- Based at the Innovation Centre, Queen’s Road, Belfast (with travel required)
- Reporting to the Youth & Ambition Manager
- Closing date: 2nd March 2026
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
About the Role and SEPI
As Programme Manager – SEPI, you will hold responsibility for the leadership, operational delivery and compliance of the programme. You will lead on programme planning, partnership management, financial oversight, monitoring and evaluation, and funder reporting, ensuring delivery against agreed outcomes, outputs and PeacePlus requirements. You will work closely with internal Catalyst teams, external delivery partners, schools, funders and stakeholders across Northern Ireland and Ireland. The role will also contribute horizontally across Catalyst, sharing expertise and supporting alignment with wider Youth & Ambition and organisational objectives. The role will require a large amount of travel (claiming for fuel is permitted).
Shared Education for Positive Innovation (SEPI) is funded under the SEUPB PEACEPLUS Programme, Area 3.1 – Shared Learning Together. The programme aims to foster meaningful cross-community and cross-border collaboration between schools, educators and young people by embedding innovation, entrepreneurship, climate action and peacebuilding into shared learning experiences. Delivered in partnership with Co-operation Ireland, SEPI will engage 500 schools, 4,000 students and 900 educationalists over a four-year period through two complementary strands:
- Core Student Programme – including training days, virtual learning, Impact Day design sprints, and an all-island Climate Summit and Awards.
- Transformational Schools Leadership Programme – supporting school leaders and educationalists to explore shared leadership challenges through structured development opportunities.
The programme is designed to energise young people’s aspirations, strengthen relationships across communities, and increase awareness of future pathways in innovation, entrepreneurship and technology.
Responsibilities
- Provide operational leadership for the SEPI programme, ensuring high-quality delivery across all strands.
- Develop and manage detailed programme plans, timelines, risk registers and delivery frameworks.
- Ensure programme activities align with PeacePlus objectives, shared education principles and Catalyst’s mission.
- Oversee the design and delivery of impactful, inclusive and innovative learning experiences for young people and educators.
- Build and maintain strong relationships with schools, educational stakeholders, community partners, industry partners and delivery suppliers.
- Represent Catalyst and SEPI at regional, cross-border and sectoral events as required.
- Set, manage and monitor programme budgets in collaboration with the Youth & Ambition Manager and finance team.
- Ensure procurement and supplier management is compliant with SEUPB and Catalyst policies.
- Maintain robust governance, data protection, safeguarding and risk management processes.
- Prepare and submit high-quality reports to funders and internal stakeholders in line with contractual requirements.
- Use learning and data insights to continuously improve programme quality and outcomes.
- Work collaboratively across Catalyst programmes to ensure joined-up delivery and shared learning.
- Contribute to funding development, sustainability planning and organisational priorities where appropriate.
- Undertake any other reasonable duties within the remit of the role.
Special Requirements
- Proof of right to work in the UK.
- Full current driving license (occasional requirement to drive a van as part of programme delivery).
- Enhanced Access NI check.
- Access to transport and willingness to travel across Northern Ireland and Ireland.
- On occasions to work evenings and weekends where required to support programme delivery.
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.
Essential Criteria
- Minimum 3 years’ experience in a programme or project management role of similar scale and complexity.
- Proven experience managing multi-stakeholder, funded programmes, ideally within education, youth, innovation or social impact contexts.
- Proven experience of organising successful events and/or programmes for young people (14- to 18-year-olds), including creative design and delivery.
- Working knowledge and experience using the Design Thinking Methodology.
- Experience of working with and motivating young people.
- Strong experience in budget management, reporting and compliance.
- Demonstrable ability to lead teams and manage delivery partners effectively.
- Excellent organisational, communication, and stakeholder engagement skills.
- Have an entrepreneurial mindset.
- A proven team player.
- Passionate about inspiring young people to innovate.
- Strong public speaking skills and ability to present to large audiences.
- Experience working with diverse communities and a strong commitment to inclusion, equality and shared learning.
Desirable Criteria
- Experience working on PEACEPLUS, PEACE, Interreg or EU-funded programmes.
- Knowledge of the education sector and/or youth development programmes.
- Experience of cross-border and cross-community programme delivery.
- Project management qualification (e.g. PRINCE2, Agile, or similar).
More info about Catalyst
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About Catalyst
We are a non-profit organisation that supports science and technology innovation in Northern Ireland with buildings and hubs in Belfast and Derry/Londonderry where companies can use our flexible workspaces to operate from. We use the profits generated from our property portfolio to deliver entrepreneurial support programmes, facilitate funding, inform policy and accelerate technology-based research and development, by linking with academia and government.
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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.
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Working at Catalyst
A certified Great Place to Work® and recognised as one of the top 100 Workplaces in the UK for 2024, receiving awards for Best Place to Work, Best Workplace for Development, Best Workplace for Employee Wellbeing, and Best Place to Work for Women, 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.
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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 Joe at joe.finnegan@wearecatalyst.org
Joe Finnegan
HR Officer
