Executive Director, Strategy and System Development

Solas; Dublin; On-site; EUR 172,000 - 196,000; Full time

Job summary

SOLAS is seeking an Executive Director, Strategy and System Development to lead the Strategy and System Development Division, owning FET system strategy, architecture and development. As a member of the Executive Leadership Team, you will shape policy and drive cross‑organisational priorities.

The successful candidate will oversee the implementation of the new FET Strategy, collaborate with DFHERIS and sector stakeholders, and lead governance, learner services and workforce planning.

Qualifications

• Strong strategic leadership and systems thinking to drive system-wide initiatives.
• Ability to govern strategy implementation and workforce planning across the FET sector.
• Experience working with national policy and public governance structures.

Responsibilities

• Lead SOLAS’s contribution to the implementation of the new FET Strategy.
• Oversee responsibilities arising from the National Tertiary Education Strategy and Apprenticeship Action Plan.
• Partner with DFHERIS and sector stakeholders to deliver cross-organisational priorities.

Job description

Executive Director, Strategy and System Development

S OLAS is the state agency responsible for Further Education and Training (FET) in Ireland. We drive the responsiveness, innovation, transformation, sustainability and success of the FET and apprenticeship systems. We do this by setting strategy, channelling investment, leading implementation, and ensuring accountability across FET providers, with an overriding focus on the needs of their learners and apprentices.

SOLAS EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR

SOLAS wishes to appoint an individual to the position of Executive Director, to lead the Strategy and System Development Division, with overall ownership of FET system strategy, architecture and development. As a member of the Executive Leadership Team, the Executive Director will contribute to the strategic leadership and effective management of SOLAS, including organisational capability, culture, digital transformation, risk, performance and the delivery of cross-organisational priorities.

THE ROLE

The successful candidate will lead SOLAS’s contribution to the implementation of the new FET Strategy and will oversee the implementation of SOLAS responsibilities arising from relevant elements of the National Tertiary Education Strategy, the forthcoming apprenticeship action plan and the Adult Literacy for Life Strategy.

THE PERSON

The position requires strong strategic leadership, systems thinking and the capacity to drive system-wide initiatives that further enhance the FET sector and its contribution to the wider tertiary system. This work will be progressed in partnership with DFHERIS and relevant sectoral stakeholders, within agreed national policy and governance arrangements, and will include governance, strategy implementation, learner services, specialisation, workforce planning and development.

Closing date is 5pm, Thursday 3 December 2026.

This appointment is on a permanent basis. The rate of pay for the post is at Grade 03X, from €171,517 to €196,205 per annum. The rate of remuneration may be adjusted from time to time in line with government pay policy.

SOLAS is an equal opportunities employer.