Manufacturing NI is seeking a Business Development Manager to represent the company in the E-DATA Programme.
E-DATA is a cross-border initiative funded through the PEACEPLUS Programme, managed by SEUPB, designed to accelerate digital adoption, innovation, and sustainability among SMEs across Northern Ireland and the Border Counties of Ireland.
Led by Ulster University in partnership with Atlantic Technological University (ATU), Innovate-NI, Sustainable NI, and Manufacturing NI, the programme aims to:
- Support 1,040 SMEs to enhance productivity, resilience, and competitiveness through digital transformation.
- Facilitate cross-border collaboration by establishing the E-DATA Collaborative Network — a shared innovation ecosystem connecting SMEs, academia, and industry.
- Provide mentoring and workshops that enable SMEs to explore technologies such as data analytics, automation, and carbon reduction systems.
- Develop and disseminate toolkits, case studies, and knowledge resources to embed learning and promote ongoing innovation.
- Contribute to climate resilience and sustainability goals, targeting a measurable 30% improvement in carbon performance among mentored SMEs.
E-DATA is structured into distinct Work Packages (WPs):
- WP1 – Business Support & Knowledge Transfer (Led by Innovate-NI): delivering SME workshops, mentoring, and toolkits.
- WP2 – Skills & Capacity Building (Led by Ulster University): building data and digital capabilities through training.
- WP3 – Innovation & Sustainability Pathways (Led by ATU and Sustainable NI): fostering green innovation and sectoral transition.
- WP4 – Management & Evaluation (Joint): ensuring effective coordination, compliance, and impact measurement.
Through these, E-DATA will promote a peaceful, prosperous, and digitally inclusive cross-border economy, aligning with PEACEPLUS’s objective of supporting sustainable growth and cooperation across the region.
We are seeking a Business Development Manager to Tsupport Manufacturing NI in delivering Work Package 1.
The postholder will, with project partners, promote the EDATA project opportunities to SMEs in Northern Ireland and the Border counties through workshops, B2B sales and network-building through business groups and other agencies across Northern Ireland and the border counties.
- Support the delivery of WP1 objectives, ensuring all outputs and milestones are achieved on time and within budget.
- Developing a marketing plan to promote the programme throughout the region.
- Recruit and manage participation of minimum 1040 SMEs across networks, workshops, and mentoring sessions.
- Coordinate and facilitate co-design workshops in Derry, Cavan, and Hillsborough during project initiation.
- Organise up to 26 innovation clinics and 26 cross-border knowledge transfer events throughout the programme. Assess and prioritise the needs of the participant SMEs
- Track and report progress towards WP1 targets
- Monitor and report SME engagement, outputs, and satisfaction levels in line with SEUPB audit requirements.
- Contribute to periodic and final progress reports to SEUPB and support data collection for KPIs.
- Assist in the development and dissemination of the Digital Transformation Toolkit and Case Studies demonstrating successful SME interventions.
- Liaise with Ulster University, ATU, Sustainable NI, and Innovate NI to ensure cohesive cross-border delivery.
- Manage financial reporting and claims to the lead partner
To apply for the role, please complete the following application form, and return it to the email in the application form by December 19th, at 12 noon
Business Development Manager Application Form.
More information is found here: Business Development Manager Programme Synopsis