Summary
I am an experienced business and product development strategist focusing on leadership, sustainability, R&D and owning the product development lifecycle based in Oslo Norway with more than a decade of experience.
I have held a variety of roles from heading up the Quality Assurance and Functional Testing operations through to Chief Operating Officer and Director of Special Projects as well as being hands on physically designing and testing proof of concepts and MVP creation through to mass market consumption.
Within these roles and more I bring a demonstrated history of tackling challenges head on with proven success in delivering on projects and products with constricted timelines, resources and budgets across a variety of products, markets and fields and my experience spans companies and operations at varying stages of growth and funding.
Throughout all of these challenges and projects, the central driving force has been a people first approach with a focus on honest transparent leadership, quality and sustainability both with our products and processes and externally to clients and the community.
I emphasise developing the strengths and skills of the people around me and my strength lies in collaboration, leadership, ownership and developing then acting on short and long term strategies, balancing multiple competing project timelines with clearly defined goals and motivating myself and colleagues to achieve it. This helps momentum and through clearly communicated goals key deliverables can be met. It is these skills and qualities that I can bring to augment your organisation to achieve your short and long term goals.
References can be provided upon request and for further information on the products I have designed/collaborated on, my skills or background please review my design and development portfolio at declanmccourt.com.
Experience
Quality Assurance and Functional Testing
Defigo AS
Feb 2023 – December 2023
By identifying the need and transitioning into this role at Defigo I established the QA team and by crafting the company wide QA policies and processes it enabled me to put a microscope style focus
on our finished product and accessories and what we were delivering to customers. This ensured
that they met our standards as well as identifying critical deficiencies in our internal and external documentation, product manufacturing process’s, software development and deployment. Additionally I was involved with a number of AI projects within this role and provided critical advice and direction on the implementation, use and consequences of such projects.
Director Of Special Projects
Defigo AS
Aug 2019 – Feb 2023
As the Director of Special Projects I not only oversaw internal development of products and projects but I had the opportunity to push the envelope on experimental products in and out of Defigo and novel applications for our product. Additionally I was able to focus on aspects that Defigo did not the mainline capacity to undertake, such as ISO certification and multiple sales, sustainability and accessibility projects amongst many others.
Product Designer and Manufacturer
Homehive
Jun 2020 – Feb 2021
At Homehive I primarily worked with the product directly, contributing to the industrial and mechanical design such as overseeing modifications to increase manufacturability, reducing cost, and increasing the hive’s lifespan. Additionally research was undertaken to investigate the integration of AI in the detection and management of the hive.
Product Designer and Materials Specalist
Climb Norway
Jan 2018 – Dec 2019
At Climb Norway I was responsible for the concept creation, design, development and manufacturing of next generation rock climbing equipment using advanced materials such as Titanium and novel manufacturing processes to address existing issues within the field. Additional responsibilities within this role involved coordination with research institutes such as Sintef as well as proving grounds in and outside of Norway.
Chief Operating Officer
Ding Dong AS
Jan 2017 – Aug 2019
At DingDong as the COO I primarily oversaw the product design and development processes; procurement processes and building the supply chain. Additionally I managed internal processes and administrative tasks. A number of highlights involve the total CAD design of the core product, in-house development of prototype’s through to managing third parties involved with the scale manufacturing, assembly and distribution of the core product.
Product Designer
PAT Mailbox Systems
Apr 2017 – Dec 2017
At PAT Mailbox Systems I oversaw the aesthetic and mechanical design of the physical product from paper concept through to finished product, including using additive manufacturing for prototyping through to coordinating with overseas partners for scale production.
Business Development Manager
Creative Concrete Pool and Paint
Jun 2016 – Dec 2017
Within this BDM role I managed product auditing operations, eCommerce operations, B2B and critical stakeholder coordination as well as the management of online advertising utilising social media tools/ google analytics and more.
Education
QUT (Queensland University of Technology)
Master’s degree in Business, Majoring in International Business/Trade/Commerce
2014 – 2016
The Masters of Business provided an advanced education on conducting and executing business operations across borders, facilitating trade and commerce internationally, as well as global negotiations and the product development pipeline.
QUT (Queensland University of Technology)
Bachelor’s degree, Justice, Majoring in Criminology 2012 – 2014
Bachelor of Justice provided a solid legal foundation, the degree focused on multiple aspects of law including criminology, business law, and intelligence analysis. The major provided further skills in intelligence gathering and analysis, underlying drivers and stressors as well as operational experience.
TAFE Queensland
Diploma, Criminal Justice/Law Enforcement Administration
2007 – 2009
Education focused on criminal justice methodologies, administrative procedures, law enforcement processes and court processes.
TAFE Queensland
Certificate III, Business Administration and Management 2007 – 2009
TAFE Queensland
Certificate III, Network Engineering and System Administration 2007 – 2009
TAFE Queensland
Certificate II , Information Technology 2007 – 2009
TAFE Queensland
Recognition of Education in Engineering and Drafting, Industrial Engineering 2007 – 2009
Padua College, Kedron
High School Diploma
2004 – 2009
Dux of Information Communication Technology Yr 12
Skills
Logistics and Procurement Management • Business Development • POC to Scale Manufacturing Operations • Key Stakeholder Collaberation • Figma/QA/Functional Testing • Design for Manufacturing • Strategic Planning • Project Management
References can be provided upon request.
GET IN TOUCH
I am always available for projects, opportunities and talks worldwide. If you want to chat about design, sustainability or the current challenges you are facing please reach out.
Email : declang.mccourt@gmail.com.
Phone: +47 465 45 880
Linkedin : http://www.linkedin.com/in/declanmccourt
Declan McCourt 