Chief Executive Officer (Designate)

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

Job summary

The Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage is establishing the Building Standards Agency to advance governance, inspection capacity, and building control oversight in Ireland. This role leads the formation of a new national agency and ensures robust structures, policies and strategic direction in the public interest.

The Chief Executive Officer (Designate) will work with the Board, Local Authorities and senior government bodies to deliver on the Agency’s mandate and shape the

Qualifications

• The Candidate information Booklet contains the duties and eligibility criteria.

Responsibilities

• Lead the establishment and development of a new state body to promote compliance with building regulations.
• Develop and oversee organisational structures, systems, policies and procedures.
• Provide leadership through strategic objectives for modern building control.
• Establish high standards of corporate governance in line with the Code of Practice for the Governance of State Bodies.
• Develop and deliver a strategic workforce plan for the Agency.
• Lead, develop and manage the performance of the senior management team.
• Manage the Agency’s budget, resources and reporting obligations to Government.

Job description

at Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage

Candidates are being sought for the position of Chief Executive Officer (CEO) (Designate) of An Ghníomhaireacht um Chaighdeáin Foirgníochta / the Building Standards Agency.

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. The overarching purpose of establishing the Building Standards Agency is to expedite the development of appropriate governance and management structures for the future Building Standards Regulatory Authority, as well as to increase building control inspection capacity by recruiting competent technical staff to support Local Authorities.

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.

Main Duties of the Role:

• Leading the establishment and development of a new state body to promote a culture of compliance with building regulations and building control legislation in the interests of protecting public health, safety and welfare
• Developing and overseeing the organisational structures, systems, policies and procedures necessary to support the Agency's mandate
• Providing effective leadership through the development and implementation of the Agency’s strategic objectives and functions in relation to effective, modern and progressive building control
• Establishing high standards of corporate governance in line with the Code of Practice for the Governance of State Bodies;
• Developing and leading the delivery of a strategic workforce plan for the Agency
• Leading, developing, and managing the performance of the senior management team within the Agency
• Managing the Agency’s budget, resources, and reporting obligations to Government while complying with public financial procedures, including procurement and value-for-money principles.
• Working closely with the Board, local authority sector and thSCSIe Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage to achieve the objectives and functions of the Agency

A full list of duties and eligibility criteria can be found in the Candidate information Booklet.

• the establishment of the Building Standards Agency (interim arrangement), and
• the subsequent move to the Building Standards Regulatory Authority (long-term arrangement).

As a first stage, a Building Standards Agency is being established under the Local Government Services (Corporate Bodies) Act, 1971.

In tandem, primary legislation is being drafted to establish a Building Standards Regulatory Authority as an independent legal entity. It is intended that the Building Standards Agency and its structures will transfer to the Building Standards Regulatory Authority upon its establishment.

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

We are committed to a policy of equal opportunity and encourage applications under all nine grounds of the Employment Equality Act.