Business Development Manager

Trinity is Ireland’s leading university and is ranked 75th in the world (QS World University Rankings 2026). Founded in 1592, the University is steeped in history with a reputation for excellence in education, research, and innovation, which has been inspiring generations of thinkers for over 400 years. Thrive: Trinity College Dublin's Strategic Plan 2025 - 2030

Trinity College Dublin seeks to appoint a Business Development Manager to support the establishment of its new Research Ireland research centre in quantum information, science and technology, Rinn Quantum. The centre brings together researchers across academia and industry to develop a responsible and thriving quantum ecosystem which will enable the cultivation of a diverse and sustainable talent pipeline. To support its establishment and growth, Rinn Quantum is seeking a dynamic and strategic Business Development Manager to expand partnerships, drive commercialisation opportunities, and strengthen the Centre’s position as a national and international leader in quantum science, technology and innovation.

The Business Development Manager will play a pivotal role in connecting Rinn Quantum’s research capabilities with industry, government, and funding bodies. This position requires a blend of strategic thinking, relationship‑building, and commercial acumen, with the ability to navigate both academic and industry environments. The successful candidate will identify new opportunities, develop strategic partnerships, support technology transfer, and contribute to the Centre’s long‑term sustainability and impact. The successful candidate must assume a higher level of leadership and responsibility with respect to ownership and delivery of the industry strategy ensuring cohesion through the team, shared goals and target definition for monitoring of performance.

Post Status: Specific Purpose

This role is for the specific purpose of leading and supporting the development, growth, and delivery of the Rinn Quantum Research Centre’s business development and industry engagement activities. This includes identifying and securing new partnership opportunities, supporting the commercialisation of research outputs, and contributing to the expansion of the Centre’s collaborative and funding portfolio across its thematic research areas.

Employment is not offered on an indefinite duration basis, as all activities are directly linked to the scope and duration of the Rinn Quantum Research Centre and are expected to come to an end. The role is dependent on the continued requirement for specialised business development and external engagement support within the Rinn Quantum Research Centre.

Hours of Post: 35 hours per week

Salary: Appointment will be made on the Administrative Officer 1 (€71,651- €113,454 per annum) and in accordance with the Department of Finance guidelines.” https://www.tcd.ie/hr/employee-services/pay-scales/

How to Apply: In order to assist the selection process, applicants should submit a curriculum vitae and a cover letter (1x A4 page) that specifically addresses the following points in their application.

• Outline how their experience aligns with the role’s responsibilities.

• The applicant’s vision for industrial engagement in a quantum research context.

Closing Date: 12 noon (Irish Standard Time) 2nd November 2026 Application will only be accepted by applying online through the Trinity Jobs Portal

https://my.corehr.com/pls/trrecruit/erq_jobspec_details_form.jobspec?p_id=039298 Applications must be made by the date and time specified. Please allow enough time to make your application. Any applications which are still in progress at the closing time on the specified closing date will be cancelled automatically by the system Late Applications will not be accepted.

Please see the Job Description below for this position.

Interviews will take place in November 2026

Informal enquiries on the role can be addressed to Professor John Goold, Centre Co-Director, School of Physics at [email protected].

Values matter. They are key to the success of our Strategic Plan. We centre our behavioural values around the importance of belonging. We recognise that the university will thrive by each of us respecting and caring for one another. We know we can achieve much more through working together. We know too that we must take responsibility for our actions and be accountable. We must, and will never stop, imagining. And through being nature positive we connect not just with the environment but with our ambitions for a sustainable future.

At Trinity, we are committed to equality, diversity, and inclusion. Trinity welcomes applications from all individuals, including those applicants with disabilities, those who may have had non-traditional career paths, those who have taken time out for reasons including family or caring responsibilities. We also welcome international applicants including those who have been displaced due to war.

Trinity College Dublin is Ireland’s premier University. We are an EU Sustainable Gender Equality Champion and we hold an Athena Swan Silver award, recognising our ongoing work to advance gender equality both within Trinity and in the Higher Education sector. Trinity is committed to supporting work-life balance and to creating a family-friendly working environment.

Job Description Comp ID: 039344 Job Title: Business Development Manager School/Department: School of Physics/Rinn Quantum Job Category and Level: Professional, Administrative & Support; A01 The Purpose of the Role Trinity College Dublin seeks to appoint a Business Development Manager to support the establishment of its new Research Ireland research centre in quantum information, science and technology, Rinn Quantum. The centre brings together researchers across academia and industry to develop a responsible and thriving quantum ecosystem which will enable the cultivation of a diverse and sustainable talent pipeline. To support its establishment and growth, Rinn Quantum is seeking a dynamic and strategic Business Development Manager to expand partnerships, drive commercialisation opportunities, and strengthen the Centre’s position as a national and international leader in quantum science, technology and innovation.

The Business Development Manager will play a pivotal role in connecting Rinn Quantum’s research capabilities with industry, government, and funding bodies. This position requires a blend of strategic thinking, relationship‑building, and commercial acumen, with the ability to navigate both academic and industry environments. The successful candidate will identify new opportunities, develop strategic partnerships, support technology transfer, and contribute to the Centre’s long‑term sustainability and impact. The successful candidate must assume a higher level of leadership and responsibility with respect to ownership and delivery of the industry strategy ensuring cohesion through the team, shared goals and target definition for monitoring of performance. Context Rinn Quantum aims to establish Ireland as a global leader in quantum information science and technology. It will leverage existing strengths and unite the national sectors in quantum science and technology between academia and industry. Rinn Quantum’s establishment will position Ireland as a strategic participant in the EU’s quantum technology initiatives while at the same time enabling strong engagement with the Foreign Direct Investment (FDI) ecosystem. To achieve this, the Centre

will deliver an ambitious programme of carefully selected research activities designed to stimulate scientific breakthroughs, growth, and to further strong industrial partnerships.

The Centre will accelerate innovation, attract investment, and build a robust quantum economy, ensuring quantum advancements benefit both industry and society. As quantum advancements reshape industries and societies, Ireland can leverage its research strengths, growing ecosystem, and international partnerships. By uniting academia, industry, and public bodies, Rinn Quantum will drive fundamental discoveries and real-world applications, securing future expertise and talent in fundamental quantum science, quantum computing, networking, secure communications, and sustainable quantum technology. Main Responsibilities This position has key responsibilities for ensuring the sustainability and growth of research collaboration between industry and academia, industry funding and commercialisation activities and managing risks regarding the attraction of industry funding across multiple industries over multiple years. This position is also responsible for co-development and implementing the Centre’s industry funding strategy, development new industry involvement realising licensing and spin-out opportunities. The position will be based in Trinity College Dublin however the postholder will be expected to support all partners in the development of and delivery of the industry engagement strategy. Therefore, the position will require national and international travel, as well as a flexible approach to working hours.

The key requirement is the successful delivering on increased industry engagement with committed industry partners and the further development of industry partnerships to provide a platform for long-term growth.

The tasks, duties and responsibilities for the role include: Strategic Leadership • Identify, cultivate, and manage relationships with industry partners across key sectors. • Play a leadership role in the delivery of industrial investments for centre industry targets and key performance indicators (KPIs). • Advise the leadership team on significant and new strategic opportunities to maximise industry investment from national and international based companies. • Develop partnership models that support collaborative research, technology adoption, and long‑term engagement.

• Represent Rinn Quantum at national and international events, conferences, and industry forums e.g. IDA, Enterprise Ireland, etc. • Drive a culture of industry and government engagement, delivery measurable impact across the centre.

Commercialisation & Innovation • Work closely with management team on the successful delivery of existing industry projects. • Work with Trinity Innovation & Enterprise to support IP management, licensing opportunities, and spin -out creation. • Lead, develop and co-manage a robust pipeline of New Business Opportunities across the Co-Centre in collaboration with our Academic Investigators, Programme managers, Business Development Assets, Contracts, IP and Commercialization stakeholders, ensuring alignment and communication or priorities and efficient translation of opportunities from scoping to project initiation and conclusion. • Translate research outputs into commercially viable propositions, including market assessments, value propositions, and business cases. • Support researchers in identifying pathways to impact for quantum‑related technologies and applications.

External Engagement and Partnerships • Identify, cultivate, and manage relationships with industry partners across key sectors. • Lead or support the development of large‑scale collaborative proposals involving academic and industry partners. • Maintain strong relationships with funding agencies and contribute to strategic planning for future calls. • Identify forums, networks and business individuals, source market reports, data trends for the identification and development of new business opportunities or key stakeholder partnerships to grow and sustain the industry partner pipeline. • Design, attend and lead Industry stakeholder workshops to engage potential partner companies on key business initiatives and strategic partnership development.

• Develop working relationships with central business development and technology transfer offices within our institutional partner with respect to benchmarking and new initiatives for improvements, business development and shared best practice. Centre Growth & Stakeholder Engagement • Contribute to Rinn Quantum’s strategic planning, including industry engagement strategy and long -term sustainability models. • Oversee the creation and maintenance of necessary industry databases and reports, including liaison with other team members in Rinn Quantum. • Develop communication materials, case studies, and impact reports to showcase the Centre’s capabilities and achievements. • Provide coaching and support to the Centre’s research investigators and core team members as required in relation to development of successful industry engagement. • Support the organisation of workshops, industry days, and outreach activities.

General • Work with the Rinn Quantum Co-Directors as required on any reporting requirements that arise as part of the Centre’s work. • Working with the Rinn Quantum finance team to support the deliver reports on Industry cash target performance and business plan implementation which meet the Centre’s reporting obligations including Research Ireland annual reporting, progress reporting and site reviews.

Person Requirements The role-holder will require the following knowledge, skills and attributes for successful performance in the role.

Qualifications • A postgraduate qualification in science or engineering or significant (>10 years relevant experience working in a technology sector. • Master's in Business Administration (desirable).

Knowledge • Knowledge of the university and industrial sectors, either through working in/and across both sectors. • Strong understanding of emerging technologies, ideally in quantum science. • Understanding of the Irish and European research funding landscapes. • General office IT systems and software (spreadsheets, word processing, communications, databases). • Understand of Trinity College Dublin procedures and University-like structures is desirable and would be an advantage.

Experience • Demonstrated experience working across academia and industry (essential). • Demonstrated experience in business development, technology transfer, research commercialisation, or innovation management. • Proven ability to secure competitive research funding. • Experience working within a research‑intensive environment or with tech start‑ups. • Experience supporting spin‑out formation or early‑stage technology ventures. • Experience developing partnerships with industry, government, or international collaborators. • Experience with large scale research infrastructure or national research initiatives. • Experience in technology transfer, commercialisation, or innovation ecosystems.

Skills • Strong strategic planning and organisational leadership skills. • Ability to influence individuals at all levels across industry, public sector agencies and university stakeholders. • Ability to drive a culture for industry engagement and research impact.

• Proven ability to build and manage strategic partnerships across academia, industry, and government. • Excellent communication, negotiation, and stakeholder‑management skills. • Ability to foster interdisciplinary collaboration and support diverse research teams. • Strong analytical, problem-solving, and decision-making skills. -solving, and decision-making skills. • Ability to research and evaluate complex data (both financial and non-financial) to make clear timely and well-grounded decisions considering the wider implications of on a range of stakeholders.

Personal attributes • Pro-active delivery of complex projects. • Collaborative leadership style. • Team player. • Committed to achieving results, putting in additional effort as required. • Flexible approach to working hours as the demands of the post maty require work outside of normal office hours from time to time. • Strategic, adaptive thinker with a proactive, opportunity driven mindset. • Comfortable operating at the interface of science, industry, and policy. • Able to translate complex technical concepts into clear, compelling narratives. • Collaborative, adaptable, and motivated by impact and innovation. This role may involve occasional national/international travel for meetings or consortium events. As this is a new research centre, additional hours may be required during the initial set-up phase.

Applications In order to assist the selection process, applicants should submit a curriculum vitae and a cover letter (1x A4 page) that specifically addresses the following points in their application. • Outline how their experience aligns with the role’s responsibilities. • The applicant’s vision for industrial engagement in a quantum research context.

Informal enquires on the role can be addressed to Prof John Goold, Co-Director, Rinn Quantum, School of Physics, Trinity College Dublin ([email protected]).

Trinity Competencies In Trinity there are 6 Core Competencies that are applicable to all roles across a range of professional, administrative and support jobs, unlike specialist or technical skills which may be job specific. They provide a common language for describing performance and the abilities/attributes displayed by individuals. They focus on ‘how’ tasks are achieved, not ‘what’ is achieved. Below is a summary definition of the 6 Core Competencies. Competency Summary Definition 1 Agile Leader Sees the big picture and harnesses opportunities to achieve the University’s goals. Creates clear direction for the future and how to get there. 2 Unlocks Potential Energised, capable and confident to take ownership and responsibility for their development and goals. Motivates, supports and develops people to perform to the best of their ability. 3 Service Ethos Finds ways to increase stakeholder and customer satisfaction. Builds relationships, is proactive and delivery focused in order to anticipate, meet & exceed expectations. 4 Builds Trusted Relationships Communicates in a clear and respectful manner building trust and commitment for mutually beneficial outcomes. 5 Decision-making Confidently makes timely decisions based on knowledge, evidence and sound judgement. 6 Achieves Results Delivers results by setting direction, planning, executing and evaluating impact.