Head of Modern Methods of Construction (MMC) Certification

National Standards Authority of Ireland; Ireland; On-site; EUR 120,000 - 160,000; Full time

Job summary

National Standards Authority of Ireland seeks a strategic Head of Modern Methods of Construction (MMC) Certification to lead the national program. You will shape certification schemes, drive compliance, and manage a skilled team across the certification division.

You will collaborate with government bodies and industry to support housing and infrastructure initiatives, ensuring NSAI remains aligned with the Strategic Plan and delivers high-quality certification services.

Qualifications

• Proven leadership experience in building certification or MMC programs.
• Strong grasp of EU/Irish construction regulations and standards.
• Track record in managing complex certification schemes and teams.

Responsibilities

• Lead the development and delivery of national MMC certification schemes.
• Build strategic partnerships with government departments, regulators and industry bodies.
• Oversee the monitoring and assurance systems for compliance with building regulations and standards.

Skills

Leadership

Stakeholder engagement

Strategic planning

Regulation compliance

Project management

Education

Degree in Building/Construction/Engineering/Architecture

Tools

ISO 9001 Lead Auditor

MMC Certification processes

Job description

Job Title: Head of Modern Methods of Construction (MMC) Certification

Division: Certification

Reports to: Director of Certification

Grade: Principal Scientific Officer (PSO)

Status: 5 Year Fixed Term

Job Overview

The National Standards Authority of Ireland is now offering Certification on the construction stage and sign-off of Modern Methods of Construction (MMC) products and building system installation compliance under Building Regulations. This will improve residential construction building systems assessment processes, including expanding the current NSAI Agrément approach, to facilitate the streamlined certification of new building methods, the introduction of sustainable construction materials, and oversight of on-site installations.

NSAI Certification ensures certified products are ‘proper materials’ suitable for their intended use under Irish site conditions, as per the Building Regulations 1997 to 2024. Our emphasis on quality control ensures compliance with established standards and provides reliable and precise building materials to the construction industry here.

This role will be supporting and driving NSAI’s involvement in the Government’s Delivering Homes, Building Communities initiative as well as leading a specialist team of professional and administrative staff. The Head of MMC Certification will be responsible for leading the implementation of a comprehensive building certification program for Modern Methods of Construction (MMC) across the country. This will include the development and implementation of certification schemes, as well as the creation of a system for monitoring and ensuring compliance with the building system scheme requirements.

The role holder will also be a key member of the NSAI Leadership Management Team (LMT) and will actively contribute to the successful achievement of both divisional and organisational strategic objectives. The Head of MMC Certification will collaborate closely with the Head of MMC Innovation and Industry Engagement in providing leadership across the department and will play a key role in delivering the relevant objectives of NSAI’s Strategic Plan 2027–2031.

Key Tasks and Responsibilities

• Build strategic relationships with Government Departments, State Agencies and other bodies to support the national building certification program and the broader Delivering Homes, Building Communities initiative.
• Develop and implement building certification schemes for Modern Methods of Construction (MMC) based on regulations, and standards in place and other Codes of Practice documents.
• Create an environment and system for monitoring, and ensuring compliance with building regulations, and standards.
• Develop strategic and operational interfaces with policy makers/key stakeholders through existing advisory structures to ensure optimised use of standards in support of Delivering Homes, Building Communities plan.
• Expand on NSAI’s existing services by driving the creation of new services to meet growing demands of Government and industry, with a focus on Modern Methods of Construction (MMC).
• Coordinate with local and regional governments and manufacturers to ensure consistency in building standards and regulations.
• Support the development of training programs for building inspectors and other relevant personnel.
• Assist in the development of the NSAI Construction Implementation Program, reflecting input from key stakeholders in the construction sector.
• Assist in the development of a suite of complementarity information/assessment services for SMEs with the Head of MMC Innovation and Stakeholder Engagement and identify further add-on supports for current NSAI clients.
• Development of the key strategic objectives of the department and lead and coordinate the developed work programme in order to deliver these objectives effectively and efficiently.
• Implement and oversee a Quality Management System (QMS) within in the department in which the identified and implemented certification schemes will operate.
• Ensure the efficient and effective management and achievement of business, and operational objectives of the MMC department.
• Manage and allocate budget and financial resources, including planning, controlling and ensuring that resources are aligned with departmental objectives within organisational budgets, whilst sharing MMC Certification resources with the Head of MMC Innovation and Industry Engagement for an initial five-year period.
• Represent NSAI at external meetings including on matters such as current and emerging NSAI initiatives that support MMC, Delivering Homes, Building Communities and related construction industry initiatives.
• Actively participate on the NSAI Leadership Management Team (LMT).
• Provide advice and expertise to the NSAI Executive Management Team (EMT) as appropriate.
• Promotion and projection of MMC to industry through seminars, articles in professional journals and trade shows including the marketing of NSAI’s services to relevant stakeholders.
• Remain abreast of emerging modern construction methods, approaches and materials so as to ensure timely support to the changing needs of the Irish Built Environment.
• Manage, coach and mentor a team of highly committed construction/MMC professionals to further increase NSAI’s capacity to support Government and industry initiatives to deliver on the Housing for All initiative.
• Remain abreast of current and emerging technologies that further support further the digital transformation of the construction sector.
• Lead out and Support the NSAI Strategic Plan 2027 – 2031 document.

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

• Successful completion of a university or a technical college degree or equivalent qualification in Building/Construction/Engineering/Architecture or other discipline relevant to the role (NFQ level 8 or above).
• Minimum of seven years’ relevant experience in The Built Environment – within Housing, Building Control, Construction, Products & Processes.
• Deep technical understanding and knowledge of current EU Directives, EN standards, current Irish Building Regulations and other technical literature.
• Minimum of 3 years’ experience in a management role.
• Good working knowledge and experience of Modern Methods of Construction (MMC)/Certification or the ability to achieve same quickly.
• Good working knowledge of the construction stage and sign-off of Modern Methods of Construction (MMC) building system fabrication, installation and assembly compliance under current Building Regulations.
• Experience in the promotion, provision and management of technical projects and services is desirable.
• Familiarity with On-site Evaluation of As-constructed Building Systems.
• Excellent working knowledge of the Building Regulations 1997 to 2024.
• ISO 9001 Lead Auditor qualification held and experience conducting audits of offsite manufacturing facilities and on construction projects.
• Good working knowledge of the building product / building system certification process and relevant building standards and current building regulations.
• Experience in estimate process, budgeting and management reporting of same.
• Experience of leading a high-performance team and a proven ability to develop, coach and mentor staff.