Programme Manager

Role Purpose

Taighde Éireann - Research Ireland is the national research and innovation funding agency which was established on 1 August 2024; it amalgamates the activities of the Irish Research Council and Science Foundation Ireland. Research Ireland drives world class research and innovation in Ireland, funding research and innovation excellence in all disciplines across the spectrum of Arts, Engineering, Humanities, Mathematics, Science, Social Sciences, Technology and others.

We are now recruiting for a Programme Manager to join the Research for Society Directorate. This represents an exciting career opportunity for a suitably qualified individual to be part of, and to influence, highly ambitious, innovative and potentially high impact research programmes. As a Programme Manager you will play a critical role in the delivery of Research Ireland’s mission.

Successful candidates will report to the Head of Public Engagement for Research (Dr Rachel Iredale) and will work across a number of workstreams in the Directorate on the basis of current business needs. The Research for Society Directorate strengthens the connection between Ireland's research system and society by enabling research to inform public policy, improve public services, address societal challenges, and enhance public engagement with research. Through funding programmes, strategic partnerships, and collaborative initiatives, the Directorate supports researchers, policymakers, communities, and civic organisations to work together in generating and applying knowledge that delivers tangible benefits for Ireland.

One of the core themes of Research Ireland’s Strategic Plan 2026-2030 (Curiosity, Capability, Competitiveness - Charting Ireland’s Research and Innovation Future) is Society.

Underpinning this theme is Research Ireland’s intent to promote innovative research for social good, delivering societal benefit and generally enriching public life for the people of Ireland. It recognises the value research in Arts, Humanities, Social Science and Business disciplines brings, and the enduring impactful nature it can have on how we engage, perceive and interact with the world around us.

Research Ireland is committed to increasing on our overall investment with the intention to launch a Societal Initiative of Scale programme. The establishment of a Programme Manager primarily focused in this area reflects this. As a new role, based within our Research for Society team, the successful candidate will have direct input into the initial design, promotion and launch of this strategically important programme.

Thereafter, they will have primary responsibility for the on-going management of established activities alongside identifying opportunities for continuous improvement whilst also contributing to the wider Research for Society work through matrix-working structures.

Role Responsibility

Principal Duties and Accountabilities of this Role include:

Initial emphasis will be on establishment of a new Societal Initiative of Scale which will include:

• Management of a broad consultation programme including analysis of information to inform programme design
• Creation of reports and/or briefing documents arising from the consultation
• Leading on the design of the programme working in close collaboration with Head of Public Engagement with Research
• Launching the programme through appropriate channels including management of queries and feedback

In addition, the regular duties relating to Programme Manager position include:

• Lead on the development and management of new and existing programme calls aligned to Research Ireland and national research strategies to enhance research and innovation capability in Ireland.
• Project management of large-scale long-term projects involving multiple cross-team members working to tight deadlines with many diverse, internal and external stakeholders
• Management of programme review processes including the review of proposals, preparation of review documentation, conducting internal and panel reviews and evaluations.
• Budget management of complex multi-partner programmes and financial oversight of co-funded programmes and events
• Management of direct reports, and/ or training and mentorship of junior team members
• Collaborating with other managers in matrix-style resource allocation and management
• External stakeholder engagement, including representing the agency on national and international fora, such as research strategy steering/ implementation groups.
• Development of innovative strategic initiatives and partnerships with external stakeholders, including those in the public and private sectors.
• Provision of technical consultancy to government agencies, departments, and external stakeholders.
• Work closely with the Corporate Communications, IT, Strategy and Research Policy teams on programme calls and strategic initiatives.
• Periodically, there will be a requirement to travel as part of this role.
• Any other duties which are commensurate with the skill, effort, working conditions and level of responsibility associated with employees at this grade (Level E)

Essential Criteria for the Role

Experience of research and research funding are the main criteria for this role.

Underpinning all activity at Research Ireland is the requirement for deep consultation with relevant stakeholders, resource and budget management, teamwork, strategic planning alongside operational delivery, evaluating impact, demonstrating adaptability and resilience, exercising sound judgement and championing Research Ireland’s values.

Please note, as a new role candidates should expect some level of evolution and adaption of duties which shall grow alongside the programme development lifecycle.

Skills, Knowledge and Experience

Essential:

• Hold a minimum of a NFQ level 8 qualification in a relevant area
• Have a minimum of five years relevant experience which demonstrates;

at least two years of managing projects and/or programmes

at least one year with direct people line management responsibility

• Demonstrate an ability to translate strategic objectives into meaningful operational activities, with strong attention to detail.
• Demonstrable experience of developing, and maintaining, meaningful partnerships or relationships with external stakeholders.
• Experience of managing a portfolio of work with the ability to multitask, prioritise, meet deadlines and manage competing and changing priorities in a dynamic environment.
• Proven ability to deal with ambiguity through analytical and problem-solving capabilities.
• Hold valid driving licence

Desirable:

• Hold a higher NFQ level qualification such as a Masters (Level 9) or PhD (Level 10) in a relevant area.
• Experience of working in research organisation with a multidisciplinary or interdisciplinary focus.
• Experience of designing and delivering a strategic programme.
• Experience working in a matrix structure and/or of leading and motivating cross functional teams, including staff outside of formal reporting lines.
• Direct experience of managing, or working on, projects within any AHSS discipline.

Application Process:

To apply for this post, applicants must submit a cover letter demonstrating how the applicant meets the requirements for this role (maximum of two pages) as set out in the job specification together with an up-to-date CV. Please note that the cover letter is essential.

Applications must be submitted as one document online through the online applicant management system Cezanne on or before 20th November @ 1pm

Shortlisted applicants will be invited to attend for an interview, which may include a competency-based interview, a presentation on a topic of relevance to the role, psychometric assessment and/ or other such assessment methods as deemed appropriate.

The first round of interviews will take place on the 8th & 9th December and the second round of interviews will take place 17th December. Please note that all interviews will be in-person and we have no flexibility with the interview dates.

Salary:

The salary for this post will be €83,113 per annum for new entrants to the Public Sector. This salary will rise over time, as per the salary scale detailed below.

Level E salary scale: €83,113 - €108,355 (inclusive of long service increments) with contributory superannuation (pension). Government policy continues to be that starting pay on recruitment from open competition for all posts within the public sector should be at the minimum of the relevant salary scale and are not subject to negotiation. Remuneration may be adjusted from time to time in line with Government policy.

Hybrid Policy:

This role is required 2 days per week minimum in the office.

Benefits:

We offer several key Benefits and perks, such as:

· Competitive salary with defined progression through the grade

· Defined Benefit Pension Scheme (Single Public Service Pension Scheme)

· Excellent progressive Policies including a favourable Blended Working Policy, Sick Leave, and other family-friendly policies

· Modern office facilities with a subsidised canteen

· Life Insurance

· 30 Days Annual Leave (Increasing with service years)

· Learning and Development opportunities

Salary: €83,113 per year