BRIEFING DOCUMENT AND SELECTION PROCESS FOR
HEAD OF INNOVATION
LIMERICK CITY AND COUNTY COUNCIL
3 Year Fixed Term Contract
The Position
Limerick City and County Council has an exciting opportunity for an individual interested
in playing a significant role in the economic transformation of the Limerick region. The
Local Government Reform Programme ‘Putting People First’ places a strong emphasis
on the role of local government in creating and sustaining employment.
Limerick City and County Council has established the company Limerick Innovate
Limited to lead the process to develop the Limerick region as a centre of economic
growth with a strong reputation for innovation in a number of key business sectors.
The Head of Innovation will report directly to the Director of Economic Development and
Planning, and will manage a small dedicated team. Their objective is to develop, lead
and support policies, programmes and initiatives to deliver a new nationally and
internationally recognised brand for Limerick being at the leading edge of innovation in a
number of the following business sectors:1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
7.
Food Science
ICT and Software
Medical Technologies
Sports Science
Renewable Energy
Internationally Traded Services
Tourism.
The Head of Innovation will be required to bring together state agencies, third-level
educational institutes and the business community in Limerick in order to ensure that
there is a co-ordinated approach to developing a brand for innovation clearly identifiable
and connected with Limerick.
Role Specifics
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Produce and maintain a register of local companies operating in distinct business
sectors and their existing capacity and future potential for innovation;
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Identify the potential benefits for clustering businesses together which operate in
certain business sectors;
Work closely with the University of Limerick Nexus Centre and the Limerick
Institute of Technology Hartmann Enterprise Centre in assisting start-up and
established companies to maximise their capacities for innovation;
Develop and manage a Limerick brand for innovation and ensure consistency
and coordination of approach of branding by other agencies;
Work in partnership with senior management of existing innovative companies to
promote their research and development expertise;
Promote and market Limerick as a location for certain indigenous and FDI
investment in partnership with other agencies including EI, IDA, Connect Ireland,
etc.;
Develop proposals to deliver an Innovation Centre which would provide facilities
for businesses with high innovation and growth potential;
Report to Board of Innovation Hub Company and/or Elected Council at regular
intervals each year;
Develop and implement an innovation mentoring programme for businesses;
Lead and engage with public sector agencies in scoping, assessing and
implementing innovative practices in the delivery of key public services;
Identify and monitor the influence that the Innovation Hub has on attracting jobs
and investment to Limerick;
Develop innovation marketing programmes in partnership with national agencies,
higher-level education institutes and others.
Salary and Other Benefits
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€64,426 with yearly increases subject to satisfactory performance
Working hours 37 per week
Public Service sick leave and pension scheme applies
Annual Leave
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30 days per annum
Contractual Relationship
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Fixed term contract employee of Limerick City and County Council but seconded
to Innovate Limerick for the duration of the contract
The Person
The Head of Innovation will require
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A minimum level 7 educational qualification in business/related discipline or work
experience at an equivalent level to the satisfaction of the Council
Proven leadership skills at a managerial level in a business or government
organisation
Excellent communication and interpersonal skills
Proven ability to network and develop strategic partners
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Proven skills in use of technology
Knowledge and Understanding of the current/emerging business environment at
a national and international level and measures to stimulate economic activity
Proven ability to influence and negotiate outcomes
Current full class B drivers licence and access to own car
Assessment Procedure
A short-list of candidates will be developed from the applications received based on the
job and person specifications. It may be necessary, subject the numbers applying, to
establish a formal short listing assessment board.
Candidates invited for interview will be required to make a presentation outlining how
they will succeed at this particular position. Candidates in the presentation must also
demonstrate their competency in the area of economic development. Details of any
specific requirements for the presentation will be given in advance of it.
The interview panel will make their assessment in accordance with the marking scheme
below.
MARKING SCHEME
Organisational skills
including leadership and
managerial
Personal Skills relevant
to the Job and Person
Specification
Economic development
Competency,
Knowledge and
Understanding
100
100
100
Candidates at interview must achieve a minimum 50% of the total marks available in
each of the three areas above to qualify for inclusion on a panel.