She is former Director of the Ulster University/QAHE Partnership and headed up the University’s Branch campuses in London and Birmingham. Professor McCoy has spearheaded the establishment of a new Affiliate College of Ulster University in Doha, Qatar and is currently responsible for the development and strategic oversight of the Business School’s international teaching and research collaborations across the globe.

Professor McCoy is a recognised authority with regard to business and management development and has acted as advisor to government on issues pertaining to the NI economy and skills, enterprise development, business growth and the development of the third sector.

She joined the faculty at Ulster in early 1990 following 10 years in the small business sector including five years in self-employment. She has been responsible for the design and delivery of a significant portfolio of management and business development initiatives and has carried out extensive consultancy projects and strategic collaborations nationally and internationally.

Jackie’s civic contribution includes: founder member of the School for Social Enterprises in Ireland established in 2005 as a joint Ulster University//Flax Trust initiative; former Chair of the Belfast Local Strategy Partnership with responsibility for the allocation of PEACE Funding across Belfast; voluntary board positions include Director of Ortus The Business Development  Agency and Chair of the Belfast International Arts Festival.