Assistant Director Development, Iarnród Éireann (Irish Rail)

Norman Broadbent Plc; Dublin; On-site; EUR 120,000 - 180,000; Full time

Job summary

Iarnród Éireann (Irish Rail) invites applications for the Assistant Director Development to shape the early development of major rail projects in Ireland. Reporting to the Development and Design Director, the role leads multidisciplinary teams, governance, and business case development to ensure options are robust and ready for delivery.

Ideal candidate has 15+ years in rail or major capital programmes, Chartered status, and a track record in stakeholder engagement with government bodies.

Qualifications

• 15+ years in rail or major capital programmes development.
• Chartered professional status (e.g., CEng or equivalent).
• Degree-level qualification in Engineering/Transport Planning or related field.

Responsibilities

• Provide strategic leadership across early development of projects and business case development.
• Lead multidisciplinary teams across planning, governance and stakeholder engagement.
• Oversee business case development, optioneering and scope definition for capital programmes.
• Ensure governance, assurance and quality standards across early-stage projects.
• Mentor and develop high-performing teams while fostering collaboration and delivery excellence.

Skills

Leadership

Stakeholder engagement

Governance

Communication

Education

Degree-level qualification

Chartered status

Job description

Iarnród Éireann (Irish Rail) is delivering one of the most ambitious rail investment programmes in the history of the State. This senior leadership appointment will play a pivotal role in shaping the early development of nationally significant rail infrastructure projects, supporting the delivery of the All-Island Strategic Rail Review and the long-term transformation of Ireland's railway network.

Reporting to the Development and Design Director, the Assistant Director Development will act as their deputy, providing strategic leadership across project development, business case preparation, planning, design governance and stakeholder engagement. The role will lead multidisciplinary teams to ensure projects are strategically aligned, robustly governed and successfully transitioned into delivery.

Key Responsibilities:

• Provide strategic leadership across the early development of Irish Rail's Capital Investments portfolio, acting as deputy to the Development and Design Director.
• Lead multidisciplinary teams responsible for delivery strategy, transport planning and project development activities.
• Oversee project strategy, feasibility studies, optioneering, business case development and scope definition for major capital investment programmes.
• Ensure robust governance, assurance and quality standards are applied across all early-stage projects.
• Lead the development of delivery strategies, gateway readiness plans and transition arrangements into design and delivery.
• Build and maintain effective relationships with Government departments, the National Transport Authority, funding bodies, regulators and industry stakeholders.
• Represent the Development and Design function at senior governance forums, presenting project options, risks and recommendations.
• Lead the commissioning and management of consultants, designers and technical advisers supporting early project development.
• Drive continuous improvement across governance, planning, risk management and project development processes.
• Mentor and develop high-performing teams while fostering a collaborative culture focused on innovation, delivery excellence and continuous improvement.

Ideal Candidate:

• Hands-on senior leader with a strong background leading and managing multidisciplinary teams in rail infrastructure development, transport planning, major capital programmes or public-sector project development.
• Proven track record in early-phase project leadership, optioneering, business case development, planning and stakeholder engagement.
• Strong understanding of public-sector governance, funding, procurement and assurance processes.
• Exceptional communication, analytical and negotiation skills, with the credibility to operate effectively with the Executive Group and Board, as well as senior Government and industry stakeholders.
• Experience in developing delivery strategies, gateway readiness plans or transition frameworks between development, design and delivery.
• Proven experience to effectively lead, motivate, manage and optimise the performance of teams across multiple locations.
• Driven and tenacious, with the confidence to challenge delays, hold people to account and keep projects moving.
• Rail experience would be helpful, but strong experience of major linear infrastructure, leading multidisciplinary teams and working in complex stakeholder environments is equally relevant.
• Ability to work effectively in a complex, fast-paced environment.

Qualifications:

• Minimum 15 years’ experience in development of significant rail, transport or other major capital development programmes/projects.
• Chartered professional status (e.g., CEng, MRTPI, MRICS, MCIOB or equivalent).
• Demonstrated ability to lead multiple multidisciplinary teams and manage complex stakeholder environments at a senior level.
• Minimum Degree-level qualification in Engineering, Transport Planning, Project Management or related discipline.

Norman Broadbent Plc has been retained by Iarnród Éireann (Irish Rail) to support this appointment. All enquiries and applications will be handled by Norman Broadbent Plc and treated in the strictest confidence.