Head of Enterprise - Kilkenny County Council

publicjobs; Kilkenny; On-site; EUR 74,000 - 91,000; Full time

Job summary

Kilkenny County Council is recruiting for a Head of Enterprise to drive enterprise development and job creation across Kilkenny. Reporting to the Director of Service, you will lead a team delivering a high-standard, coordinated State support to micro and small businesses.

The role sits within the Local Enterprise Office (LEO) structure and requires shaping a strategic plan to support enterprise, entrepreneurship and local job creation. Closing date is 19 November 2026.

Qualifications

• Experience in local government or economic development preferred.
• Strong leadership and people management skills.
• Ability to develop and implement strategic plans for enterprise growth.

Responsibilities

• Lead the development and implementation of Kilkenny County Council’s Local Enterprise Development Plan to support enterprise at local level.
• Manage the Local Enterprise Office (LEO) operations to deliver commitments with Enterprise Ireland and other agencies.
• Monitor economic performance and identify gaps to drive growth for micro and small businesses.

Job description

Job title: Head of Enterprise

Employer: Kilkenny County Council

Location: Kilkenny

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

Starting Salary: €82,595

About the Employer:

Kilkenny County Council provides services to a population of over 103,000 citizens in County Kilkenny in areas of housing, roads, transportation, planning, environment, economic and community development, tourism, libraries, fire and emergency response, parks, amenities, heritage, arts and water services.

We have over 750 employees and can offer exciting careers across our services in various roles such as engineering, technical, financial, management, administration, library services, fire services and general services. Our headquarters are in Kilkenny City and we have area offices throughout the county.

The Council operates within an annual revenue budget of €129.4 million and a multi-annual six-year capital budget of €1,015 million. The Local Authority has a broad remit in the business and economic development area with a focus on supporting and encouraging economic activity and jobs growth in the County.

Kilkenny County Council is committed to working with the people of Kilkenny to develop sustainable, connected, economically thriving and proud communities with the consideration of climate change embedded into all of our policies and services.

About the Role:

A vacancy currently exists in Kilkenny County Council for Head of Enterprise. Reporting to the Director of Service, this is a senior role within the broad Economic Development function of the Local Authority. Kilkenny has a rich culture of entrepreneurship and a thriving business community with key strengths in agri-food, creative industries, engineering, financial services, tourism and retail industries locally.

The Head of Enterprise will work to ensure an ‘enterprise-friendly’ county for companies and individuals setting up or expanding their businesses and will lead a team to support enterprise and economic development. The Head of Enterprise will lead a team charged with delivering a high standard quality system of coordinated and cohesive State support to small business sector.

This is a key position within the Local Enterprise Office (LEO) structure of the Local Authority. The successful candidate will be required to make a significant contribution to the development and implementation of a strategic plan to support enterprise, entrepreneurship and job creation at a local level. Success will be measured by ensuring that the LEO serves as a First Stop Shop to provide services to start, grow and develop micro and small business in the local area.

The Head of Enterprise duties include but are not limited to the following:

• Lead the development and implementation of Kilkenny County Council’s Local Enterprise Development Plan for the Local Authority (LA) to support enterprise at local level in line with national Government policy objectives and commitments on enterprise, entrepreneurship and job creation.
• Lead a team to achieve key enterprise and economic development objectives in the Local Economic and Community Plan (LECP) and support the on-going implementation monitoring and review of LECP.
• Manage the day-to-day operations of the LEO to deliver all commitments between Enterprise Ireland and the Local Authority and any Protocols with other Government Departments and State Agencies.
• Delivery of Key Performance Indicators as indicated by the Service Level agreement with Enterprise Ireland.
• Monitor Kilkenny County Council’s overall economic performance and identify gaps/opportunities at county level that inhibit economic growth and in particular of small and micro businesses and identify and implement initiatives to address these.
• Work with partners to identify skills gaps and requirements and support the roll out of opportunities to help ensure the on-going growth and development of enterprise in County Kilkenny.
• Oversee the delivery of the full range of services provided by the LEO to enterprise at a local level including: a) Business Information and Advisory Services, Enterprise Support Services; b) Entrepreneurship Support Service; c) Local Enterprise Development Services. d) Kilkenny County Councils Tourism Strategy, Festivals Strategy Nighttime Economy Action plan, Kilkenny Craft Strategy and other related Kilkenny County strategies; e) Support the development, implementation and review of key regional strategies and plans to support and promote enterprise and job creation including the Regional Enterprise Plan for Jobs and other relevant plans.
• Establish and maintain relationships with key support agencies, stakeholders and partners involved in the economic development of the region.
• Work collaboratively with clients and stakeholders to provide enterprise advice/information.
• Regularly review portfolio of LEO clients and develop and implement strategies to develop and expand the portfolio to address key growth sectors.
• Develop strategies and implement actions to support the key growth sectors in County Kilkenny, which include Tourism, Food, Retail, Engineering, Emerging Technology, Creative Industries, etc.
• Promote and market County Kilkenny as a key location to live, work, invest & visit.
• Evaluate enterprise proposals and grant applications for new and expanding businesses.
• Undertake regular review of systems and processes to ensure efficiencies and compliance with key legislative and regulatory requirements.
• Manage the staff of the LEO including developing individual and team plans to deliver on the objectives of the office and motivating a team to deliver high output levels including application of Performance Management Development System.
• Mentor and coach staff and arrange for the provision of relevant training and development where required.
• Develop an enterprise friendly county in conjunction with the County Council and key partners to ensure a supportive environment for growth.
• Maintain responsibility for county specific initiatives which support new and expanding businesses (for example, management of business incubation units or enterprise centres which are within the remit of the local authority).
• Oversee and maintain the development of a strong and committed Evaluation and Approval Committee, * ensuring a mix of business skills among the members and ensuring that timely meetings of the committee are held and agreed actions followed through.

The closing date for receipt of completed applications is 3pm on Thursday, 12th November 2026.

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