Deadline for applications: 16 January 2026
1. Role Overview
The Programme Manager will lead the delivery of The Mill's 3-year Sustainable Scaling Programme. This senior role carries responsibility for achieving programme KPIs, recruiting and selecting participant companies, managing programme partners, ensuring high-quality SME engagement, and overseeing all reporting and governance requirements. The Programme Manager ensures the programme delivers strong scaling, innovation and sustainability outcomes across the region.
2. Key Responsibilities
A. Programme Leadership & Delivery
* Oversee full delivery of the programme over the 3-year cycle.
* Ensure achievement of programme KPIs across innovation, sustainability, export-readiness and job creation/safeguarding.
* Develop annual delivery plans, schedules and quality assurance processes.
* Ensure the programme operates in line with governance and funding requirements.
B. Recruitment & Selection of Participant Companies
* Lead recruitment campaigns across Louth, Meath, Cavan and Monaghan.
* Manage screening, assessments and selection of eligible SMEs.
* Conduct structured onboarding and capture baseline metrics.
C. Relationship Management
* Act as the senior relationship lead for all participating companies.
* Engage directly with founders and C-suite teams to support progress and identify challenges.
* Oversee mentoring, advisory and partner interactions to ensure alignment with company needs.
D. Bi-Annual Company Visits
* Conduct bi-annual, on-site visits to each participating SME.
* Interview founders and leadership teams to assess progress against programme KPIs.
* Identify barriers, opportunities and priority actions to accelerate sustainable scaling.
* Support implementation of positive change based on Scaling and Sustainability roadmaps.
* Produce follow-up action notes and monitor commitments.
E. Partnership & Contractor Management
* Manage all external programme partners, including scaling, sustainability, leadership and financial experts.
* Coordinate contract deliverables, timelines, budgets and quality standards.
* Ensure seamless collaboration across the programme ecosystem, including Skillnet Innovation Exchange and regional stakeholders.
F. Team Leadership
* Line-manage the Scaling Manager and provide strategic guidance on SME engagement.
* Work collaboratively with the Market & Events Manager on road shows, showcases and communication outputs.
* Foster a culture of excellence, accountability and innovation.
G. Reporting & Impact Measurement
* Fulfill all mandatory reporting requirements set out under the teams of the funding agreement
* Ensure that the programme is delivered in line with the terms set out by the programme funding partners
* Lead baseline, midline and endline impact measurement.
* Produce quarterly and annual progress reports for the CEO and funders.
* Lead input into the Final Impact Report at the end of Year 3.
3. Required Skills & Experience
Essential
* 7–10 years' experience in programme management, consulting or enterprise development.
* Strong understanding of SME scaling challenges, regional enterprise dynamics and sustainability drivers.
* Proven ability to engage, influence and build trust at C-suite level.
* Demonstrated experience managing delivery partners, contractors and multi-stakeholder environments.
* Strong analytical, reporting and KPI management skills.
* Excellent communication, facilitation and presentation abilities.
* Comfort working in a flexible work environment and able to operate autonomously with minimal supervision.
* Comfortable travelling regionally for company visits and events.
Desirable
* Experience in ESG, sustainability programmes or digital transformation.
* Experience working with enterprise agencies (EI, LEO, Skillnet, etc.).
* Background in accelerators, incubators or scaling programmes.
* Experience developing micro-credentials or training products.
4. Personal Attributes
* Strategic thinker with strong execution capability.
* Team player, adaptable and willing to engage in additional areas to support other team members in The Mill when required.
* Highly professional, relationship-driven and confident engaging with senior leaders.
* Results focused, organised, proactive and solution oriented.
* Self-motivated and comfortable working independently in a flexible, evolving environment.
* Passionate about supporting SME growth, innovation and sustainability.
5. Key Milestones
* Delivery of Programme Key Performance Indicators (KPIs)
* Regional recruitment and selection of companies.
* Delivery of Scaling Labs and Sustainability Labs (Years 1–3).
* Bi-annual on-site SME visits and continuous support.
* Annual impact reviews and KPI measurement.
* Final Impact Report (Year 3).
About the Programme
The Sustainable Scaling Programme is a new 3-year regional initiative led by The Mill Enterprise Hub to accelerate the growth of SMEs across the Northeast. The programme supports ambitious companies to scale in a commercially focused and environmentally sustainable way, combining structured Scaling Labs, Sustainability Labs, ESG health checks, leadership development, peer mentoring, financial capability supports, and specialist advisory input.
Delivered in partnership with national enterprise agencies, sector experts and regional stakeholders, it provides a comprehensive framework for SMEs to build resilience, strengthen competitiveness, adopt sustainable practices and unlock new market opportunities. The programme also incorporates bi-annual company visits, tailored mentoring, micro-credential development with educational partners and innovation challenges through Skillnet Innovation Exchange.
The Programme aims to enhance innovation, job creation, export readiness and long-term environmental performance across the region, while building stronger cross-sector value chains and collaboration networks