Research Centre Manager: Robotics and Future Production

SUMMARY:
The incumbent will be responsible for the provision of strategic research, development and innovation (RDI) leadership to the Centre and consolidate research and technology to develop deep excellent capability to support multiple areas of applications across the organization.

POSITION INFO:

Research Centre Manager: Robotics and Future Production

About the job:

Our client has a vacancy for a Research Centre Manager in the Centre for Robotics and Future Production, within the Manufacturing Cluster. The incumbent will be responsible for the provision of strategic research, development and innovation (RDI) leadership to the Centre and consolidate research and technology to develop deep excellent capability to support multiple areas of applications across the organization. This position is based in Pretoria..

Key responsibilities:

• Develop and implement a business plan for operation, sustainable growth, impact and robustness of area (including RDI strategy, goals, mission, HR, finances, technology transfer, Intellectual Property (IP) and commercialization);
• Ensure relevance, resilience and performance of the Research Centre.
• Ensure that research, technology and services remain aligned with the strategic mandate of the organization and strategy.
• Lead the Research Centre’s business development and strategic stakeholder interactions (internally and externally).
• Responsible for the financial sustainability of the Research Centre.
• Develop world-class capabilities, cutting-edge infrastructure and skills development in line with global technology trends and industry needs.
• Deliver world-class and globally competitive outputs, technology, products and services, as integrated solution(s) for industry or service challenge/opportunity/risks.
• Manage an integrated and cross-cutting RDI portfolio that makes impact across clusters and divisions.
• Ensure the Research Centre remains strategically relevant and aligned with the National System of Innovation agenda, as well as science and technology and industry trends;
• Manage the Research Centre’s RDI groups.
• Establish and service strategic alliances (institutional) according to RDI strategy.
• Propose and/or contribute to the strategic investment plan and implement Parliamentary Grant, other grant-funded projects and programmes.
• Establish and position the Research Centre brand (presence) as a world class national/international facility, with international exposure.
• Establish and manage long term plans to develop, attract, nurture and sustain a national cohort of high-level scientific leadership and international talent and capability;
• Identify, develop and nurture scarce skills for the domain.
• Contribute to Divisional and Organisational Human Capital strategy.
• Ensure staff development, performance management and strategic Human Capital Development to advance individual staff through their research careers, and ensure alignment with the Industrial Development Focus and National Science Strategy.
• Provide strategic oversight and implement Human Capital Development (HCD) strategy for the purpose of developing highly skilled specialists in the relevant domain, this may include learnerships, pipeline development, bursaries, etc.
• Establish HCD collaborations, networks and alliances (national/international);
• Ensure demographic transformation of the Research Centre.
• Ensure compliance to Health and Safety standards of all facilities, services and infrastructure/
• Ensure implementation of quality initiatives/
• Ensure SET outputs (productivity) and quality across a broad range of technology maturity
• Deliver on all KPIs of the area and ensure that all outputs are achieved, including transformation, profit and loss, quality, health, safety and environment as per agreed targets.
• Implement and comply with appropriate financial, business and governance systems, including operational approvals.
• In collaboration with the Business Development and Commercialization portfolio:

ü  Drive the transfer of technology and solutions design to industry/user environment;

ü  Create solutions for the needs of industry by integrating sector knowledge in multi-dimensional research and development programs in order to deliver industry aligned RDI;

ü  Ensure delivery of solutions on brief, budget and time;

ü  Package technologies for commercialisation or develop an “investment ready business” through financial modelling market assessment and business plan development.

Qualifications, skills and experience:

• A Doctoral degree in mechanical / electronic / computer engineering / industrial engineering or related fields with at least ten years’ R&D experience with recognition as a world leader in science and technology.
• Proven track record of leadership and strategic direction across the field(s) thereby influencing the trends in RDI with strategic national impact.
• Ability to galvanize national and global funding;
• Leading role in or having led large multi-disciplinary product development and/or service offering solution teams or research programmes.
• Solid track record of appropriate national and international RDI engagement among peers.
• Solid basket of RDI outcomes (publications, technology outputs, etc.).
• Ability to understand, integrate, and provide technical leadership across all domains.
• Ability to provide thought leadership and high level conceptualisation.
• Ability to work independently as well as in teams.
• Ability in HCD implementation and capacity development.
• Interpersonal communication skills.
• Business Development and financial acumen.
• Excellent communication (verbal and written) and presentation skills.
• Project and programme management experience including people, infrastructure, financial, planning and project / programme execution skills
• Excellent, emotionally intelligent people management skills
• Conflict management skills.
• Decisiveness and action orientation.
• An understanding of the research to market ‘innovation’ value chain.

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