Learnovate is an industry-led Technology Centre hosted by Trinity College Dublin and funded through Ireland’s Technology Centres Programme, managed by Enterprise Ireland with support from IDA Ireland.

The Chair of the Centre Steering Committee (CSC) is an independent governance role responsible for leading the CSC in providing strategic direction, effective oversight and balanced, impartial governance for the Centre. The Chair ensures that the CSC operates effectively in accordance with the Technology Centres Programme Terms of Reference and that the Centre remains focused on delivering impact for industry while meeting its public funding obligations.

The Chair works closely with the Centre Director, the Host Academic Sponsor and Enterprise Ireland to ensure appropriate oversight of the Centre’s strategy, performance, governance and long-term sustainability. The Chair does not have executive responsibility for the day-to-day management of the Centre, which rests with the Centre Director.

Leadership of the Centre Steering Committee

• Lead the CSC to operate in a balanced, independent and effective manner.
• Foster constructive challenge, consensus-based decision-making and high standards of governance.
• Ensure all members contribute appropriately while avoiding undue influence by any individual organisation or stakeholder.
• Promote a culture of integrity, transparency and accountability.

Strategic Oversight

• Lead the CSC in providing strategic direction for the Centre and ensuring that the research, development and innovation (RDI) agenda remains industry-led, market-focused and aligned with national priorities.
• Work with the Centre Director to review, prioritise and approve the Centre’s Business Plan and strategic priorities prior to submission to Enterprise Ireland.
• Ensure that Centre activities remain aligned with the approved Business Plan, agreed KPIs and the public-purpose objectives of the Technology Centres Programme.

Performance, Governance and Risk

• Oversee performance against the Centre’s Business Plan and KPI framework.
• Ensure the CSC maintains effective oversight of strategic, operational, financial and reputational risks.
• Monitor governance arrangements, compliance obligations and stewardship of public funding.
• Support oversight of recruitment of key leadership positions, succession planning and long-term sustainability.

Working Relationship with the Centre Director

• Develop a constructive and collaborative working relationship with the Centre Director while maintaining appropriate governance independence.
• Support the Centre Director through strategic guidance while recognising that responsibility for the management and delivery of the Business Plan rests with the Centre Director.
• Ensure the CSC receives timely information on performance, finances, risks and significant strategic developments.

Stakeholder Engagement

• Act as an ambassador for Learnovate and promote the Centre within the wider innovation ecosystem.
• Foster strong relationships between industry members, research partners, the Host organisation, Enterprise Ireland, IDA Ireland and other stakeholders.
• Champion collaboration across the Centre membership and ensure that decisions reflect the interests of the Centre as a whole rather than individual organisations.

Governance of CSC Meetings

• Chair CSC meetings to ensure effective discussion, balanced participation and timely decision-making.
• Work with the Centre Director to develop meeting agendas focused on strategic priorities, Business Plan delivery, KPI performance, financial oversight, risk management and industry engagement.
• Ensure conflicts of interest are appropriately declared and managed and that CSC business is conducted in accordance with the Centre’s Terms of Reference.

The successful candidate will demonstrate:

• Significant senior leadership experience within industry, innovation or research-intensive organisations.
• Previous experience chairing a Board, Steering Committee or comparable governance body.
• Strong understanding of corporate governance, strategic oversight and public accountability.
• Experience overseeing organisational performance, risk management and strategic planning.
• Excellent communication, facilitation and stakeholder engagement skills.
• The ability to lead discussions impartially, build consensus and manage differing perspectives.
• A strong understanding of innovation, research commercialisation and industry collaboration.
• A commitment to the principles of integrity, objectivity, independence, transparency, equality, diversity and
  inclusion.

In accordance with the Technology Centres Programme Terms of Reference, the Chair will be an independent, senior and experienced industrial leader who is able to act impartially in the interests of the Centre as a whole. The Chair must avoid conflicts of interest and maintain independence from individual member companies or other organisations that could compromise objective decision-making.

• The CSC meets at least four times annually, with additional meetings as required.
• The Chair should expect additional time for preparation, stakeholder engagement and governance activities between meetings.
• The initial appointment will normally be for two years and may be renewed in accordance with the Technology Centres Programme Terms of Reference, subject to continued independence, performance and the approval processes set out by the Centre, Host organisation and Enterprise Ireland.

Applicants are invited to submit via email to nessa.mceniff@learnovatecentre.org,with email title ‘Chairperson role’:

1. A statement of suitability (approximately 300 words) demonstrating how they meet the requirements of the role.
2. A current Curriculum Vitae or professional biography.

Shortlisted candidates will be invited for an interview. Appointment will be subject to confirmation that no actual or perceived conflicts of interest exist and completion of the governance and approval processes applicable to the Technology Centres Programme.

For informal queries please contact: nessa.mceniff@learnovatecentre.org

Closing date: noon November 20th, 2026. No late applications will be considered.