Basic Function:

Applications are invited for the post of VistaMilk Centre Manager. This is a temporary full-time post, based in Teagasc, Moorepark Research Centre, Fermoy, Co. Cork, P61 C996. Reporting to the Centre Director, the primary role of the VistaMilk Centre Manager will be to oversee the operational management of the entire VistaMilk center across the different research institutes and industry partners.  The successful appointee will be responsible for the day-to-day operations and running of the Centre, including providing support to the center’s staff.

Background:

The VistaMilk Science Foundation Ireland Research Centre (www.vistamilk.ie), which has been operating out of Teagasc Moorepark since 2018, has entered its second 6-year phase (2024-2030). The VistaMilk SFI Centre aims to be an agent of growth for the Irish dairy industry by being a world leader in fundamental and translational research for precision pasture-based dairying. VistaMilk’s vision for Phase II will advance the construction of a federated set of digital twins, each representing a module in the soil-to-gut pathway but with the ability for upstream and downstream communication and interaction – a system-of-systems. Such an integrated collection of independent systems for the dairy sector will enable whole system scenario modelling of a multitude of features and perturbations such as climate change adaptation, policy, farm advice, and research/hypothesis generation, the scale of which has never before been achieved. The outcome is informed direction and policy on how best to tackle Ireland’s unique challenges.

VistaMilk represents a unique collaboration between 14 Agri-Food and ICT Research Institutes and leading Irish/multinational food and ICT companies. The Centre is hosted by Teagasc, the national agency with responsibility for agriculture and food research.

The Centre consists of one Director and 11 co-applicants (applicant group; 42% female) with skillsets in agriculture (soil, pasture breeding and management, animal breeding and management), food (processing and food for health), sensing, communications, social and behavioural sciences and analytics. The applicant group are supported by 64 funded investigators (FIs; 42% female) from 13 institutes and 54 industry collaborators; opportunities will be created to expand this Academic and Industry Team during this phase. 

Main Duties and Responsibilities:

The core remit of the Centre Manager includes:

• Partner with and support the Centre Director and Deputy-Director in developing and executing the strategic plan and vision of the VistaMilk Centre to ensure its growth and long-term sustainability.
• Manage the Centre and maintain positive relationships with all interested stakeholders and parties such as the hosting institution and the industry members, as well as other industry parties and academic research performing organisations.
• Ensure that resources, procedures and systems are robust and appropriate to meet the Centre’s objectives and business plan in accordance with governance arrangements.
• Ensure the Centre’s financial resources are utilised optimally, and managed appropriately, to achieve the objectives of the Centre.  This includes the costing plans for the attainment of the approved annual programme, to ensure a high level of efficiency and productivity, and diligence in financial management and decision-making.
• Support the active participation and engagement of the industry partners in the Centre.
• Liaise with Teagasc and government departments to ensure the VistaMilk strategy is being implemented in line with agreed sanctions

Administrative responsibilities

• Lead the Administration Team, comprising of two Programme Managers, a Commercialisation and Business Manager, an EU Grants Manager, a Communications Manager, a Public Engagement Manager.
• Support the Director and Deputy-Director in coordinating the various work programme areas.
• Act as the delegated financial signatory for the Centre on behalf of the Director.
• Carry out duties and assignments delegated by the VistaMilk Director and Deputy-Director.
• Work closely with the relevant support bodies of the research performing organisations to structure and negotiate the various engagements both with funding bodies and industry stakeholders (e.g. legal and contractual activities).
• Oversee the organisation of workshops, seminars, meetings and open days.
• Support the Center Director and Executive Team in monitoring, reviewing and evaluate progress with regard to strategic goals and targets. 
• Collate and draft all reports to SFI from the various work programmes.
• Guide, support and/or lead the development standard operating procedures for efficient and effective center management
• To assist Teagasc in meeting the commitments of the Quality Customer Service Charter and Action Plan.
• To actively participate in the annual business planning and Performance Management Development System (PMDS) processes.
• Fully co-operate with the provisions made for ensuring the health, safety and welfare of themselves, fellow staff and non-Teagasc staff and co-operate with management in enabling Teagasc to comply with legal obligations. This includes full compliance with the responsibilities outlined in the Safety Statement.
• Any other duties as may be assigned from time to time

* This job specification is intended as a guide to the general range of duties and is intended to be neither definitive nor restrictive.  It will be reviewed from time to time with the post holder.

 Note:  The ‘essential’ qualifications, knowledge, skills and behavioural competencies outlined above are ‘must-have’ which will be used in the selection process.