Atlantic Technological University (ATU) was established on 1 April 2022 following the merger of Galway/Mayo Institute of Technology, Institute of Technology Sligo, and Letterkenny Institute of Technology. In November 2023, St Angela’s College Sligo also became part of ATU. ATU has approximately 27,000 students and 2,500 staff across its nine campuses in the West and North West region of Ireland, making it one of the largest multi-campus universities on the island. The University serves a diverse group of learners, staff, communities and organisations, playing a major role in supporting development in the region and further afield. Since its inception, ATU can already point to considerable achievements such as becoming a member of European University Alliance EU GREEN, successfully bidding for new nationally relevant higher education programmes in Pharmacy and Veterinary Medicine and becoming the first university in Ireland to be designated an Accredited Institution of Advance HE. ATU has also recently launched its inaugural strategic plan, Open Minds, Bright Futures, which centres around five guiding lights: Enabling Education, Engaged Research, Connected Ecosystem, Transformed Organisation, and Sustainable Future. This is an exciting time to join ATU as the organisation delivers on its first strategic plan and continues to drive impact and support the North and North West region.  

During this time of development and growth, ATU now seeks to appoint a Chief Officer Research, Innovation & Engagement (CORIE). Reporting to the President, the CORIE will be a key member of the University Senior Leadership Team and will be responsible for the leadership and coordination of research, innovation, enterprise and community engagement and national and international relationships. This role is fundamental in driving “Engaged Research” and “Connected Ecosystem”, two of the five strategic Guiding Lights and the successful appointee will work directly with deans of faculties and other leaders to promote a strong, outward-facing research and innovation culture across the University, building on the strengths inherited from each legacy institute. The CORIE will drive external stakeholder relationships and strengthen ties with funding agencies to ensure the successful growth of the University in parallel with supporting the Northern and Western region’s progress from region “in transition.” Utilising the funding obtained through TU RISE, the CORIE will also oversee the creation of required infrastructure to support ATU’s research and innovation goals.  

The successful candidate will be an experienced strategic thinker with strong leadership skills and a demonstrable research profile and reputation. They will bring extensive experience in strategy development and implementation alongside research management, innovation or related roles within higher education, public, private, or non-profit sectors. They will have proven experience of managing financial and physical resources as well as the ability to lead and motivate both academic and professional services staff, including those over whom one  does not have line management responsibility. The ideal candidate will have a proven track record of promoting equality and inclusion within an organisation. The successful individual will also have experience of building and maintaining partnerships at the regional, national and global level and have an excellent understanding of trends in higher education.  

How to Apply  

Perrett Laver, the appointed advisers of ATU, are conducting an executive search exercise alongside the public advertisement for this role. Perrett Laver will support the Search Committee in the discharge of its duties. Applications should consist of a full curriculum vitae detailing academic and professional qualifications and experience, full employment history showing the more significant positions, responsibilities held, relevant achievements and budgets and staff managed. CVs should be accompanied by a covering letter describing how candidates meet the criteria outlined in the candidate profile and why the appointment is of interest. Candidates are asked to set out briefly their vision for the role.   

Applications can be uploaded to https://perrettlaver.com/atu-senior-appointments/ referencing the project number 7337. The closing date of applications is 12 noon Irish local time on Friday, 4th April 2025.  

Atlantic Technological University is an equal opportunities employer.  

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