Governance Lead - Operations Systems Support

Electricity Supply Board; Dublin; Hybrid; EUR 71,000 - 84,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Hybrid work arrangements

Staff well‑being programmes

Parental leave entitlements

Job summary

Electricity Supply Board (ESB) Networks seeks a Governance Lead for Operations Systems Support to drive OT governance across SCADA, GIS and NMS landscapes. The role sits within the OSS, partnering with technical teams, vendors and ESB stakeholders to strengthen resilience, ensure compliant change and robust incident handling while guiding risk-aware decision processes.

The successful candidate will embed governance into everyday operations, support audits, and contribute to Ireland’s critical

Qualifications

• Minimum of 8 years post‑graduate experience in OT governance or related field.
• Experience in governance, risk, compliance or assurance roles within regulated or safety‑critical industries.
• Formal training or certification in IT Service Management (ITIL) or hands‑on ITSM implementation.

Responsibilities

• Define, implement and maintain OT governance frameworks aligned with standards.
• Ensure OT regulatory compliance and support audit activities.
• Oversee governance of OT change, configuration and asset management; ensure incident management processes are defined and followed.
• Act as liaison across OT, IT, engineering and risk teams to enable governance decisions.
• Monitor governance effectiveness, risk exposure, and incident management; drive continuous improvement.

Skills

OT governance

ITIL/ITSM

Risk management

Stakeholder engagement

Change management

Incident management

Governance frameworks

Vendor management

Cross-functional collaboration

Clear communications

Education

Engineering/CS/IS degree

Tools

SCADA

GIS

NMS

OMS

Job description

Governance Lead - Operations Systems Support

Vacancy Number: 29252

Category: Human Resources

Job Type: Full-time

Position Description

The Operations Systems Support (OSS) team within ESB Networks' Distribution Markets and System Operations (DMSO) function are seeking to fill the role of Governance Lead. ESB Networks operates a suite of mission-critical Operational Technology (OT) systems that enable the monitoring, control, and management of Ireland's electricity distribution network. This includes Supervisory Control and Data Acquisition (SCADA), Electricity Distribution Network Management System (NMS), and Geographic Information System (GIS). These systems support real-time network operations, outage management, fault response, service restoration, and data exchange across multiple business and operational platforms.

The OSS Governance Lead will serve as the primary point of contact for all aspects of OT Governance across SCADA, NMS, and GIS operational environments, ensuring secure, reliable, and efficient operations. This role provides a unique opportunity to support capabilities that form part of Ireland's critical national infrastructure. You will work at the forefront of Operational Technology, supporting the processes that underpin transformation of the electricity network as ESB Networks delivers the systems required for increased renewable generation, network flexibility, electrification and the transition to a net-zero future.

Acting as a strategic central ‘control point’ for governance within the OSS, the successful candidate will work closely with technical teams, vendors, and key stakeholders across ESB to strengthen operational resilience, aligning operational activities with over-arching objectives and ensuring technology decisions, risks, changes and incident management practices are consistently governed and embedded.

Key Responsibilities

OT Governance & Policy Leadership

• Define, implement and maintain fit‑for‑purpose OT governance frameworks aligned with relevant standards (ITIL, IEC etc.) and organisational requirements.
• Identify, assess, and manage OT risks while ensuring effective control design, implementation, and ongoing assurance.

Compliance & Regulatory Oversight

• Ensure OT operations comply with regulatory, safety, and internal policy requirements and support audit activities.

Operational Governance & Change Control

• Oversee governance of OT change, configuration, and asset management to ensure controlled and risk‑assessed operations.
• Ensure that incident management processes for operational technology are properly defined, compliant, and consistently followed, with effective oversight, coordination, and continuous improvement across OT teams

Stakeholder Engagement (Internal & External)

• Act as the key liaison across OT, IT, engineering, risk teams, vendors and the wider organisation to enable effective governance and decision‑making.

Performance & Reporting

• Monitor and report on governance effectiveness, risk exposure, change and incident management.
• Drive ongoing improvement in governance maturity and promote a culture of risk‑awareness and accountability across the organisation.

Essential Knowledge, Skills and Experience

• Minimum of 8 years post‑graduate experience in Engineering, Computer Science, Information Systems, Risk or a related discipline, providing a solid foundation in OT governance oversight
• Proven ability to deliver on the “key responsibilities” outlined above.
• Proven experience working in governance, risk, compliance or assurance roles within regulated or safety critical industries (e.g., electricity, utilities, industrial operations), ensuring robust governance, compliance with regulatory requirements, and effective incident management processes are consistently applied and continuously improved
• Ability to embed governance into operational ways of working, supported by change management and pragmatic delivery in fast‑paced environments
• Experience supporting Operational Technology systems (e.g., OMS, ADMS, SCADA, GIS or equivalent), including close collaboration with vendors, and specialist engineering teams, to align operational activities with over‑arching governance objectives
• Demonstrated experience in designing, implementing and continuously improving governance frameworks, policies and decision‑making structures
• Demonstrated leadership experience influencing and guiding teams without direct line management, with experience coaching teams on governance responsibilities and ways of working
• Proven experience bridging OT and IT domains, with the ability to communication effectively with both technical and non‑technical stakeholders.
• Formal training or certification in IT Service Management (e.g., ITIL or equivalent), or demonstrable hands‑on application of ITSM practices in change, incident, and configuration management.
• Proven track record supporting audits, regulatory reviews, and assurance activities, with strong governance reporting and metrics capability
• Strong stakeholder management, facilitation, and influencing skills, with experience leading cross functional forums and working groups.
• Service Delivery Experience in contract management, vendor engagement, incident oversight etc.
• Self‑starter with ability to manage own work and support otherswithin theOSS and project teams.
• Sound judgement, attention to detail, and a structured, risk‑aware mindset.
• Ability to technically mentor junior team members.
• Excellentcommunicationandreport writingskills.

Desirable Knowledge, Skills and Experience

• Relevant certifications or training in governance, risk, cyber security, safety, or compliance (e.g. COBIT, ITIL, ISO standards, CRISC, CISM)
• Experience in energy, utilities, or other safety‑critical/regulated environments, including exposure to cyber, safety, and regulatory oversight
• Leadership experience (line or matrix), including developing capability, mentoring, and embedding governance practices across teams
• Strong behavioural leadership, role‑modelling risk awareness, safety, accountability, and effectiveness in ambiguity and change

Reporting to

Operations Systems Support Manager

Location

ESB Networks, Leopardstown Road, Dublin 18

Smart Working at ESB is designed to make ‘in‑person’ time together as purposeful as possible while also enabling the effective use of digital tools and hybrid arrangements to preserve our commitment to flexibility. The successful candidate may work flexibly within thejurisdictionwhere they have been employed, with attendance at the workplace for in‑person collaboration at least two days per week. All Smart Working arrangements are subject to regular review based on the operational requirements of the role, the team, and the business.

Why Work with Us?

• Opportunity to lead Ireland’s transition tonet zero carbon future
• Career developmentthrough mentoring andtraining
• Corporate Social Responsibility Opportunities
• Sports and Social Clubs
• Networking opportunities
• Credit Union
• Access to staff well‑being programmes
• Generous parental leave entitlements
• Strong values‑based and inclusive culture
• Strong commitment to diversity, equity and inclusion
• Great team environment working to our Core Values: Courageous, Caring, Driven and Trusted

€71,00 to €84,000 per annum

Closing Date

23rd October 2026

Interview

Candidates who are shortlisted for interview will complete a Behavioural Interview based on each of the following Behaviours, which underpin how we work at ESB and are critical to delivering our strategy:

• Your application will be held in reserve for 6 months should you be suitable for the role.
• The successful candidate will be required to evidence their right to work in the Republic of Ireland prior to commencement of employment.

Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Statement

ESB is committed to being an equal opportunities employer. We welcome applications from all sections of society and ensure that no one is discriminated against on the grounds of race, religion or belief, ethnicity or nationality, disability, age, citizenship, marital status, domestic or civil partnership status, sexual orientation or gender identity, or any other basis as protected by law.

Applicants who anticipate requiring assistance or reasonable accommodations for any part of the application or interview process may contact, in confidence, [e-mail].

About ESB

Join us in our mission to achieve a net-zero electricity system by 2040. ESB is Ireland’s leading energy utility, with activities spanning electricity generation, transmission and distribution, energy supply, energy services and international consultancy. Operating in Ireland, Northern Ireland and Great Britain, we invest over €1 billion each year to deliver a new energy future based on reliable, affordable zero‑carbon electricity.