Programme Manager Generation Innovation
Catalyst is seeking an experienced and highly motivated Programme Manager to lead the delivery of Generation Innovation, Catalysts flagship youth innovation and entrepreneurship experience. This 12-month role is focused on the oversight, coordination and high-quality delivery of a programme that helps young people build confidence, develop entrepreneurial skills, explore venture ideas and see themselves as future innovators, founders and leaders.
About the Role
The Programme Manager will lead the operational planning, coordination and delivery of Generation Innovation for a 12-month period, ensuring the programme is delivered to a high standard, within budget and aligned with Catalysts strategic objectives.
The role will oversee the full programme lifecycle, from pre-programme engagement and partner coordination through to Ideas Bootcamp, the flagship Generation Innovation Festival and participant progression into wider entrepreneurship opportunities. A key responsibility will be managing the Generation Innovation Steering Team, bringing together Youth & Ambition partners, sponsors and key stakeholders to ensure strong governance, collaboration and continuous programme improvement.
Key Information
- Full-time, 12-month fixed-term contract
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Salary Up to £40,000 depending on qualifications and experience
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Based in Innovation Centre, Queens Road, Belfast, with hybrid working and travel across Northern Ireland as required
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Reporting to Youth & Ambition Manager
Employee Benefits
- Generous pension contribution
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Generous life assurance policy
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Private medical insurance
- Enhanced parental leave packages
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Free access to Catalyst organised events
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Free onsite parking
Free access to onsite gym and PT sessions
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About Generation Innovation
Generation Innovation is Northern Irelands flagship youth innovation and entrepreneurship experience. It exists to ignite ambition and equip young people across Northern Ireland with the innovation mindset and entrepreneurial skills to activate them for their future.
Generation Innovation is not a traditional work placement, careers workshop or one-day event. It is a multi-stage, immersive programme that creates a clear pathway from early inspiration into venture-building, future of work exploration and follow-on entrepreneurship opportunities.
The annual programme includes:
Pre-programme engagement with schools, FE providers, youth and community organisations, Catalyst partners and alumni.
Ideas Bootcamp for motivated applicants, alumni and young founders to develop venture ideas and innovation challenges.
Generation Innovation Festival, where participants develop ventures, explore future skills and connect with founders, mentors and employers.
About Catalyst
Catalyst is an independent, non-profit science and technology hub, driving innovation-led growth in Northern Ireland. We help founders, SMEs, researchers and global organisations turn ideas into real-world impact through space, support and collaboration. Every surplus we generate is reinvested into inclusive entrepreneurship, innovation programmes and community impact, building a more competitive, resilient and inclusive economy. Our vision is opportunity for all from world-leading innovation.
Working at Catalyst
A certified Great Place to Work® and recognised as one of the top 100 Workplaces in the UK for 2024, receiving awards for Best Place to Work, Best Workplace for Development, Best Workplace for Employee Wellbeing, and Best Place to Work for Women, Catalyst is one of Northern Irelands most exciting employers. With a strong vision of Opportunity for all from world-leading innovation, this is a workplace brimming with ambition to create social, cultural, and economic advantage. We are a force for good, bold in our approach with integrity at our core and passion in everything we do.
Diversity & Inclusion
Diversity and inclusion arent boxes to tick on a CSR list. At Catalyst, they are part of our DNA, lived, breathed, seen, and heard across our community, projects, and co-working spaces. We not only want to foster and empower a culture of innovation, but also an environment where people can be their true, authentic self and thrive, and we are proud to be recognised by the Diversity Charter for achieving silver status, with ambitions to progress to Gold.
As an equal opportunity employer, we recruit based solely on the individuals ability to perform the role, and thats allowed us to create an inclusive workplace which celebrates the diversity of our teams and community.
Key Responsibilities
- Programme Leadership & Delivery
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Lead the planning, coordination and delivery of Generation Innovation, ensuring the programme is delivered successfully, within budget and aligned with Catalyst's strategic objectives.
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Manage the full programme lifecycle, including planning, recruitment, Ideas Bootcamp, the Generation Innovation Festival and participant progression opportunities.
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Develop and maintain programme plans, budgets, timelines, risk registers and operational processes to support effective delivery.
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Design and deliver engaging learning experiences, events and innovation activities that inspire and develop young people.
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Stakeholder & Partnership Management
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Manage the Generation Innovation Steering Team, ensuring effective governance, collaboration and delivery against agreed actions.
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Build and maintain strong relationships with sponsors, education providers, community organisations, employers, mentors, founders and other key stakeholders.
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Work with partners to develop meaningful opportunities for young people through mentoring, innovation challenges, workplace experiences and industry engagement.
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Participant Experience
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Lead participant recruitment and engagement, ensuring an inclusive, accessible and high-quality experience for young people across Northern Ireland.
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Foster a safe, welcoming and engaging environment that builds confidence, creativity, collaboration and entrepreneurial thinking.
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Support participants to progress into Catalyst's wider Youth & Ambition and entrepreneurship programmes.
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Operational Management
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Manage programme budgets, suppliers, venues and delivery partners, ensuring effective use of resources and value for money.
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Work collaboratively with internal teams to coordinate programme delivery, marketing, communications and operational support.
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Ensure compliance with safeguarding, health and safety, data protection and organisational policies.
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Monitoring & Reporting
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Monitor programme performance, evaluate impact and prepare reports for funders, sponsors and internal stakeholders.
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Represent Catalyst and Generation Innovation at meetings, events and external engagements.
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Undertake any other reasonable duties commensurate with the responsibilities of the role.
Essential Criteria
- Minimum of three years' experience in programme or project management, ideally within youth, education, entrepreneurship, innovation or social impact settings.
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Proven experience designing and delivering programmes, events or engagement activities for young people, ideally within the 1418 age range.
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Strong understanding of how to support young people to build confidence, develop entrepreneurial skills and explore entrepreneurship pathways.
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Strong programme management skills, including planning, budgeting, risk management, supplier coordination and delivering against deadlines.
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Experience managing a diverse range of stakeholders, including education, community, corporate, funder and partner relationships.
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Ability to design and facilitate engaging, inclusive and creative learning experiences, workshops and events.
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Working knowledge of, and experience using, Design Thinking methodology.
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Strong presentation and public speaking skills.
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Excellent organisational skills with the ability to manage multiple priorities while delivering an exceptional participant experience.
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Strong understanding of safeguarding, data protection and inclusive practice when working with young people.
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Collaborative, proactive and solutions-focused, with a passion for inspiring young people through innovation and entrepreneurship.
Desirable Criteria
- Experience working with schools, FE colleges, youth organisations or community partners across Northern Ireland.
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Experience working with corporate partners, founders, mentors or volunteers to deliver programmes or events.
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Knowledge of entrepreneurship, innovation, Disciplined Entrepreneurship, AI, emerging technologies or future skills.
Special Requirements
- Proof of right to work in the UK.
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Full current driving licence, with occasional requirement to drive a van as part of programme delivery.
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Enhanced AccessNI check.
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Access to transport and willingness to travel across Northern Ireland and Ireland.
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Occasional evening and weekend work to support programme delivery.
Criteria may be enhanced to facilitate shortlisting. Exceptional candidates who do not meet all criteria may still be considered where relevant skills and experience are demonstrated.
