Director of Projects

Responsible to the IBEC/CBI Joint Business Council Chief Executive (based in Dublin) the successful post holder will work in the CBI Northern Ireland office in Belfast. The position will involve extensive liaison with companies and with senior government officials delivering a programme of initiatives. IBEC and CBI are the leading business organisations on the island of Ireland and since 1991 have taken a leading role in developing trade, enhancing co-operation and improving the competitiveness of the island with an excellent track record providing strategic leadership and achievement.

Since 2007 the Joint Business Council has embarked on a new strategic direction aiming to improve the competitiveness of Small and Medium Enterprises on the island of Ireland. The IBEC/CBI Joint Business Council has secured funding from Interreg IV for a major programme through to 2013.

A small team working under the Chief Executive are charged with delivering a programme of cross-border activities aimed at improving the competitiveness of the business environment on the island of Ireland. These initiatives fall under three headings: people and skills; infrastructure; and innovation and entrepreneurship. These initiatives will be delivered by the Joint Business Council and in partnership with other organisations.

The Director of Projects will be responsible for designing, managing and implementing a number of these initiatives and will work closely with colleagues in Dublin, as well as with other CBI staff in Belfast. Administrative support is available and the project envisages the involvement of a part-time project manager in Belfast. Considerable engagement with companies and partner organisations will be required, while some initiatives will require an ability to engage and influence senior government officials and political representatives. The initiatives are varied and will require a range of skills and experience. Current initiatives are focusing on education/university links, freight transport requirements by 2020, barriers to investing in energy efficiency, the development of a renewable energy policy, and addressing barriers to labour mobility on the island. Up to 40 initiatives will be addressed in the period to 2013.

The individual will be expected to spend a reasonable amount of the time working outside the Belfast office, including frequent meetings in the Republic of Ireland.

The executive team report to a Joint Steering Committee which meets four times per annum to provide strategic direction as well as a monitoring and advisory role. During the course of the year two Joint Business Councils are held involving key members from CBI and IBEC.

• Responsible for developing, managing and implementing a number of initiatives to improve the competitiveness of SMEs
• Manage relationships with key partners organisations and with selected government departments on issues relating to the Joint Business Council programme
• Effectively manage administration support and ensure budgets are met and strong financial control of budgets are in place as required by funding authorities
• Represent IBEC/CBI views on a range of bodies and participate in events to promote the Joint Business Council agenda and initiatives
• Work closely with other members of the Executive team to ensure the overall objectives of the Joint Business Council are achieved
• Develop policy papers and reports, prepare written articles for journalists, and effectively and professionally represent the Joint Business Council's position to the media

Belfast

Salary in the order of £60,000 - depending on skills and experience plus benefits

Skills and Experience

• Essential
• Excellent interpersonal skills and communication skills (both verbal and written)
• Proven project management skills
• Experience of managing budgets
• Good organisational skills with the ability to co-ordinate and prioritise the completion of a range of concurrent tasks
• Good analytical and problem solving skills
• Ability to influence
• Effective word processing skills
• Capacity to work on own initiative as well as working in a small team.
• Self-motivation and commitment are important

Desirable

• Experience of working in the Republic of Ireland
• Experience of undertaking research or policy development work
• Public speaking and media experience

Other Requirements

Essential

• Good judgement and high level of integrity
• Flexibility to work out of normal working hours
• Access to a car and current Driving licence