Chief Executive Officer

publicjobs; Dublin; On-site; EUR 150,000 - 190,000; Full time

Job summary

Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage seeks a Chief Executive Officer (Designate) for the new Building Standards Agency. The appointee will report to an independent Board and drive the establishment and early operation of the Agency, shaping its culture, governance, and national building control oversight.

The CEO will lead strategic vision, organisational change, and resourcing, building a high-performing leadership team and ensuring delivery of statutory functions while engaging

Qualifications

• Proven senior leadership experience in a regulatory or public sector setting.
• Strong understanding of governance principles and high integrity.
• Experience delivering strategic, organisational and financial oversight.

Responsibilities

• Provide strategic, operational and organisational leadership for the Agency.
• Lead the establishment and early development of the Agency and its governance framework.
• Build a senior leadership team and define the strategic vision, resourcing and processes.
• Ensure delivery of statutory functions and achievement of objectives.
• Foster effective relationships with Government, local authorities and stakeholders.

Skills

Regulatory leadership

Public sector governance

Strategic planning

Stakeholder management

Change management

Job description

Title : Chief Executive Officer (Designate) Building Standards Agency

Employer: Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage

County: Dublin

Closing Date: 3pm, Thursday, 19th November 2026

About the Employer

Candidates are being sought for the position of Chief Executive Officer (CEO) (Designate) of An Ghníomhaireacht um Chaighdeáin Foirgníochta / the Building Standards Agency. It is expected that an Order to establish the Building Standards Agency will be signed by the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage before the end of 2026. The Agency will be established as soon as is practicable thereafter, pending the completion of the appointments process for the Board and CEO (Designate).

On establishment, the Building Standards Agency will operate as an independent statutory entity under the aegis of the Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage.

This appointment offers a unique opportunity to shape the future of Ireland's built environment through the establishment of a new national organisation that will strengthen building control oversight, support local authorities and improve public confidence in the sector.

About the Role:

An experienced and visionary person is sought to serve as the CEO of the new Building Standards Agency, reporting to an independent Board, to be appointed by the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage. The appointment of a CEO (Designate) is sought to provide early-stage leadership on the establishment of the Agency and maintain continuity during its development into a fully operational body. As such, the Minister wishes to appoint a candidate with the requisite experience, qualifications and expertise.

The CEO will be responsible for providing strategic, operational and organisational leadership of the Building Standards Agency. As the Agency's CEO, the successful appointee will have the opportunity to play a central role in the creation of a new state body, shaping its culture and values and strengthening building control nationally while also preparing for the establishment of the future Building Standards Regulatory Authority.

The CEO will lead the establishment of the Building Standards Agency and will build a senior leadership team, develop a strategic vision for the Agency, and put in place appropriate resourcing, protocols and processes to deliver on the objectives of the Agency. Strong corporate leadership with a focus on change management will be required to deliver on the Agency’s mandate and to prepare for the opportunities and challenges ahead.

Reporting to the Board of the Agency, the CEO will be accountable for the effective management of the organisation, the delivery of its statutory functions and the implementation of its strategic objectives. The role requires an accomplished leader with the ability to deliver organisational change, develop high-performing teams, establish robust governance arrangements and build constructive relationships across government, local authorities and the wider construction sector.

About You:

• Proven senior leadership experience in a regulatory, public sector, housing, construction or built environment organisation;
• An understanding of and commitment to organisational excellence, with a good knowledge of the characteristics, values and governance principles that underpin a high-performing Irish State body;
• Strong corporate governance, oversight and management expertise; with excellent financial, regulatory and governance acumen;
• Ability to establish and deliver organisational strategy, functions and services – experience of attainment and achievement at a senior level.
• Proven track record of managing and identifying improvement opportunities and actively engaging in implementing improvements and managing change, including execution and delivery of change in a structured environment;
• Proven track record as a team player and in leading multi-disciplinary teams and developing and executing strategies;
• Proven record for critical thinking, problem solving, independent assessment and decision making, sound judgement and decisiveness;
• Exceptional managerial and organisational ability, including the ability to think and operate strategically, and implement change in a dynamic environment;
• High levels of personal integrity, drive and enthusiasm;
• High levels of professional integrity imbued with a progressive public sector ethos;
• Excellent interpersonal and stakeholder management skills, with an ability to build effective relationships, internally and externally at a senior level with Government Ministers, key government bodies, local authorities, professional bodies, industry representatives, and other stakeholders.

Full details of the role, including specific eligibility requirements, is available on www.publicjobs.ie.

The closing date for receipt of completed applications is 3pm, Thursday, 19th November 2026.