Business Support Executive

Business Support Executive- Decarbonisation

12 month contract- Cork

The Business Supports and Transport Department develops, administers, and manages a number of focussed energy programmes, designed to support a range of small to large businesses to implement energy efficiency and renewable approaches to deliver on the Climate Action Plan targets.

The programme provides support for businesses to adopt deep energy efficiency and decarbonisation approaches led by an Energy Efficient Design (EED) process.

The Business Decarbonisation Supports Executive will provide project management and technical support to the Programme Manager across the full grant scheme lifecycle, from project application through evaluation, grant offer, grant management support, inspection, and payment.

Reporting to the EXEED Programme Manager, the successful candidate will join an enthusiastic and innovative team who are committed to the high-quality delivery of supports to small and large commercial energy users. 

Key Responsibilities, Knowledge and Skills

·       Providing project management, technical and operational support to the EXEED Programme Manager and Head of Business Supports & Transport Department.

·       Supporting the delivery of programme related activity including service delivery and grant management, application and payment processing, client and supplier engagement, and ongoing programme evaluation and enhancement. 

·       Administering and coordination of grant schemes for EXEED supports including service delivery and end-to-end grant management, stakeholder engagement (applicant, outsourced business partners, IT, and supplier interactions), identification and delivery of programme enhancements, and ongoing evaluation and reporting of scheme performance data.

·       Carrying out technical reviews of commercial and industrial grant applications and providing feedback and support to applicants.

·       Developing and delivering educational and training supports, tools and resources including new content for internal academy.

·       Development and management of third-party resources as required by the programme.

·       Communication with, and mentoring of, interested parties, stakeholders or participants of the Programme including development of web content, webinars, case studies, ‘how-to’ guides, social media engagement and responses to programme inquiries.

·       Representing at meetings and events (including presentations and speaking engagements). 

·       Inputting to the ongoing development of the programme strategy and work programme. 

·       Participating in strategic policy development supporting both national policy (including the Climate Action Plan)

·       Keep informed of and disseminate relevant policy in the programme area at EU and national levels. 

Knowledge & Skills

·       Project management/organisation of concurrently running work and competing demands.

·       Strong proactive approach to setting and achieving results, including managing scope, time, risks, cost, and quality.

·       Flexibility to deliver short term and long-term goals.

·       Ability to work on own initiative and to deadlines/milestones.

·       Analysis and problem-solving skills with strong attention to detail and ability to think strategically and use sound judgement on complex issues.

·       Strong written and verbal communication skills, including report writing, presenting, public speaking, and the ability to communicate technical information (written and oral) to non-technical audiences.

·       Strong interpersonal skills, including ability to foster positive working relationships and work collaboratively with internal colleagues (multi-disciplinary), third party experts and external stakeholders.

·       Technical knowledge on renewable energy technologies and energy efficiency in commercial and industrial applications.

·       Knowledge of wider context, including broader policy goals for the energy sector at EU and national level.

·       Awareness of key challenges for successful sustainable energy policy including the need to ensure lifecycle sustainability, stakeholder acceptance and value for money.

ESSENTIAL REQUIREMENTS

·       A degree level (a minimum of NFQ Level 7or greater) or equivalent professional qualification in a relevant discipline such as Engineering, Science, Business or Social Science.

·       A minimum of three years’ work experience in energy or business-related roles (postgraduate studies may be included).

·       Strong project management and organisation skills and knowledge of business process development.

·       Experience building and maintaining effective working relationships internal and external stakeholders.

·       Strong written and verbal communication skills (including report writing, presenting and public speaking) with an ability to communicate complex concepts to non-technical audiences.

·       Well-developed IT skills including proficiency with MS Excel or equivalent.

DESIRABLE REQUIREMENTS

·       Experience working in sustainable energy and/or with the SME or Industry sector.

·       Commercially focused, with a good understanding of the challenges facing Irish businesses.

·       Experience delivering training and educational supports to varied audiences.

·       Experience analysing, reporting, and communicating insights from data.

·       Experience in working in building energy retrofit activities, industry energy efficiency, or business sustainability.

·       Experience in delivering high volume grant programmes, or other high volume client facing services.

·       Experience with energy / environmental / quality management systems.

Minimum Stamp 1G visa valid for duration of contract required

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