Head of Corporate Services

National Standards Authority of Ireland; Dublin; On-site; EUR 20,000 - 40,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading regulatory authority in Dublin seeks a Head of Corporate Services to oversee key functions and contribute to strategic objectives. The ideal candidate will have extensive management experience and strong leadership skills in a public sector context. This role involves strategic planning, stakeholder engagement, and ensuring effective governance across various service areas. Competitive package offered.

Qualifications

• Minimum of 5 years’ experience in a senior management role.
• Demonstrated capacity to analyze and communicate complex issues.
• Experience leading high-performance teams and mentoring staff.

Responsibilities

• Oversee Corporate Services functions including Legal, Marketing, and Procurement.
• Lead the development of strategic objectives and manage resources.
• Represent NSAI at external meetings and develop stakeholder relationships.

Skills

Leadership

Strategic Planning

Change Management

Stakeholder Engagement

Policy Formulation

Education

Minimum Level 8 NFQ qualification in Management, Business, Law or relevant discipline

Master’s qualification (Level 9 NFQ or equivalent)

Job description

Job Description

Job title: Head of Corporate Services

Division: Corporate Services

Reports to: Director of Strategy and Corporate Services

No. of direct reports 7

Status: Permanent – Full Time

Ref: 71-24

Location: Northwood, Santry, Dublin 9

Job Overview

The Head of Corporate Services is a key member of the NSAI Leadership Management Team (LMT) and actively contributes to the successful achievement of the organisation’s strategic objectives. They are responsible for managing the full range of Corporate Services functions including Legal & Policy, Quality & Risk Management, Facilities, Marketing and Communications, Procurement, Access to Information. They are also responsible for ensuring efficient and effective liaison and engagement with NSAI’s parent Department of Enterprise, Tourism and Employment, and with other key stakeholders in the broader civil and public service. Pending a review of the structure and resourcing of NSAI’s IT Department, the Head of Corporate Services may also have oversight of that function on an interim basis.

A key senior management position within NSAI, this is a hands-on role, which is critical to the effective functioning of the Authority, with day-to-day oversight and management of corporate services to ensure that NSAI’s business units can operate effectively to enable the achievement of strategic goals, divisional targets, annual work programmes and budgets.

As a member of the NSAI’s LMT, the Head of Corporate Services will contribute to the development and operations delivery of the Authority’s strategic objectives for the development of world class standards, realisation and maintenance of the national measurement infrastructure, delivery of regulatory and non-regulatory conformity assessment services and inspection obligations. NSAI will shortly commence a body of work related to the development of a new Strategic Plan, and the Head of Corporate Services will play a key role in this process. In summary, this role represents an exciting opportunity for a high calibre manager to bring their strong strategic leadership and operational management experience to this critically important role.

Key Tasks and Responsibilities

Support Infrastructure

• Development of the key strategic objectives of the Corporate Services Department and to lead and coordinate the corporate work programme in order to deliver these objectives effectively and efficiently.
• The overall leadership and management of the support services function ensuring appropriate facilities, resources and internal policies are in place to fulfil statutory, governance and operational objectives.
• Manage and allocate budget and financial resources, including planning, controlling and ensuring that resources are aligned with departmental objectives within organisational budgets.
• Oversight and management of external service delivery contracts including Legal, Marketing and Communications, Internal Audit, Insurance Facilities, Catering, and others which may be appropriate in the context of delivering the divisional strategy.
• Provide organisational direction, advice and guidance on policy, procedures and compliance matters.

Facilities and Services

• Direction and management of the Facilities services for the efficient utilisation, operation and maintenance of the NSAI property portfolio.
• Direction and management of the NSAI procurement service.
• Directing the insurance renewal processes (with the Risk & Quality and Legal and Compliance teams as appropriate) ensuring a scope and terms of cover appropriate to the requirements of NSAI.
• Leading the implementation of energy and environmental management systems. Leading the development of policies and practices to ensure compliance with all legal and regulatory requirements, including the following areas:
• Health and Safety
• Public Procurement and Expenditure Code
• Code of Practice for the Governance of State Bodies
• Customer Contact Policy
• Irish Language Obligations
• Access to Information
• Accessibility to premises

Governance and Internal Control Environment

• Management and oversight of Quality, Risk Management and Business Continuity Systems/Structures.
• Ensuring that risk is identified and managed to an acceptable level in the organisation. Support the NSAI Audit and Risk Committee (ARC) and ensure best practice in the internal control environment and risk management.

Marketing, Communications and Awareness

• Lead the development and implementation of a marketing, communications and awareness strategy for all aspects of the NSAI’s work across the spectrum of NSAI stakeholders and media channels.
• Lead the development of innovation in marketing and communications with staff, stakeholders and the wider public. Lead the development of NSAI’s Brand and the production of Corporate Communications and Publications.

Representation

• Represent NSAI at external meetings including on matters such as current and emerging Government initiatives etc.
• Representing NSAI on the Cross Agency Insurance Group (CAIG)
• Contribute effectively and constructively as a member of the broader management group and/or other management groups as part of the corporate management and strategic development of NSAI.
• Develop a strong stakeholder interface and relationships with the Liaison Unit in the Department of Enterprise, Tourism and Employment.
• Any additional tasks as may be assigned from time to time by the Director of Strategy and Corporate Services, the CEO, and the NSAI Audit and Risk Committee.

This job specification is intended as a guide to the general range of duties for this post. It is intended to be neither definitive nor restrictive and will be subject to periodic review with the post holder.

Qualifications and Experience

Essential

•Minimum Level 8 NFQ qualification in Management, Business, Law or other relevant discipline.

• Minimum of 5 years’ experience in a senior management role.

• A strong track record in strategy and policy formulation and a demonstrable capacity for meeting the challenges of the position.

• In depth knowledge and understanding of public sector governance and familiarity with the Code of Practice for the Governance of State Bodies.

• Demonstrated capacity to analyse and communicate complex issues with clarity.

• Demonstrated capacity to manage and implement change management programmes.

Desirable

• Master’s qualification (Level 9 NFQ or equivalent) in Management, Business, Law or other relevant discipline.
• Highly experienced in building relationships and networks and influencing internal and external stakeholders.
• Highly experienced in representing organisations at high-level meetings, with excellent report writing and presentation skills.
• Experience leading high-performance teams and a proven ability to develop, coach and mentor staff.
• Strong awareness and understanding of NSAI’s mission, vision and strategic objectives.