Head of Operations Engineering

publicjobs; Dublin; On-site; EUR 97,000 - 119,000; Full time

Job summary

An Garda Síochána is recruiting for a Head of Operations Engineering to report to the Director of Digital & ICT and contribute to the ICT Steering Group. The role requires senior-level experience in managing ICT operations, leading large teams, and delivering technology services to high standards.

You will ensure 24/7 support for mission-critical systems, manage projects within budget, and collaborate with the PMO and TAG to align with strategic ICT goals in a national security context.

Qualifications

• Significant experience in managing ICT operations at a senior level.

Responsibilities

• Remain informed of advances in relevant technology and industry trends and recommend changes in services, products, protocols and standards.
• Manage risk within Operations Engineering and ensure business continuity strategies are in place.
• Oversee day-to-day Operations Engineering activities supporting ICT systems.
• Ensure delivery of Operations Engineering projects on time and on budget.

Job description

Job Title: Head of Operations Engineering

Location: Dublin

Closing Date: 3pm, Thursday, 8 October 2026

Salary: Starting at €108,152

About the Employer

An Garda Síochána is the national police and security service of Ireland, comprised of approximately 14,300 Garda Members, 3,600 Garda Staff and 300 Garda Reserves. An Garda Síochána is a community focused organisation with a mission of ‘Keeping People Safe’. With a dual role and responsibility for the provision of policing services, and protecting the security of the State, An Garda Síochána is committed to delivering a responsive, effective and efficient service, that meet the needs of our communities.

The organisation was established over 100 years ago at the inception of the state and has a proud history of delivering community policing. In order to build upon this strong foundation, An Garda Síochána must continue to evolve, responding as a modern police and security service to the changing face of crime, vulnerability, population and citizen expectation.

An Garda Síochána is charged with delivering on the key commitments made within the Programme for Government. In support of such, the organisation is growing at scale, with the effective use of Garda resources and capabilities as a key focus area.

An Garda Síochána has delivered on a significant organisational transformation programme including the introduction of cutting-edge technology, new methods of working and the biggest change to its structure in its history.

The Garda ICT Directorate, as one of the three Directorates (ICT, Data & Cyber Security) in the wider Data & Technology Function under the Chief Information Officer, is responsible for the effective deployment and maintenance of ICT systems, services and solutions that support the delivery of strategic business goals and priorities in An Garda Síochána.

Operations Engineering provides a service to all other areas of ICT and comprises of several teams that are collectively responsible for various functions. Examples include the datacentres that host the majority of our key systems and data, the management of end user devices such as laptops & desktops, and the delivery of new applications and services to end users.

About the Role:

The Head of Operations Engineering will report directly to the Director of Digital & ICT and will participate in and contribute to the ICT Steering Group which comprises of all ICT Head of Functions along with the Director.

The successful candidate will have significant experience in managing ICT operations at a senior level. They will have a proven track record of leading large‑scale teams in areas such as ICT Operations or ICT Modernisation or similar functions.

They will be highly customer‑focused, expected to manage projects and teams and to deliver technology services to high standards. They will ensure that all ICT activities under their remit are delivered on time, and on budget, using an appropriate mix of internal and external resources to achieve best value‑for‑money.

The Principal Duties and Responsibilities of the Role may include some or all of the following:

• Remaining informed of advances in relevant technology and emerging industry trends and being responsible for recommending changes in services, products, protocols and standards as appropriate.
• Assessing and managing risk within Operations Engineering and ensuring that appropriate business continuity strategies are in place.
• Overall responsibility for day‑to‑day Operations Engineering activities that support all of our ICT systems.
• Overseeing the delivery of Operations Engineering projects on time and on budget.
• Supporting the delivery of projects for other ICT functions on time and on budget.
• Supporting delivery of initiatives from the Data & Technology Strategy and the development of associated and underpinning strategies and roadmaps.
• Supporting the Technical Advisory Group (TAG) and ensuring all projects are presented to the group as appropriate.
• Liaising with the Project Management Office (PMO) to ensure all projects adhere to their processes and are supported by the TAG as required.
• Ensuring 24/7x365 support for mission critical systems and infrastructure.
• Developing Service Level Agreements (SLAs) with key internal and external stakeholders, communicating service levels at review meetings and publishing metrics on a monthly, quarterly and annual basis for distribution as required.
• Formulating ICT policies, procedures, and performance management processes to maximise the availability of all ICT systems and to measure and improve service delivery processes based on Information Technology Infrastructure Library (ITIL) or similar framework.
• Overseeing and continuously improving the delivery of ICT support services to ensure service levels are met and, where possible, exceeded. This includes the design and implementation of any organisational structure changes to deliver these service levels at an enterprise scale.
• Working closely with senior management to propose improvements to ICT, planning and implementing initiatives that contribute to long‑term improvements and potentially cost savings within ICT and reporting on progress.
• Assisting in the development of the overall ICT strategy and policy.
• Procuring ICT hardware, software and technical support personnel.
• Managing third party vendors and services suppliers.
• Contributing to the overall management of the ICT function as a member of the ICT Senior Management Team (Steering Group).
• Representing the ICT Branch at meetings of Project Boards, Steering Groups and cross organisational committees as required.
• Representing An Garda Síochána at inter‑departmental, national or international working groups, meetings or other decision‑making forums.
• Ensuring that financial responsibilities are managed to a high standard, including the efficient and effective management of budgets and accountability for ICT assets.
• Working with the Office of Government CIO (OGCIO) in relation to the delivery of An Garda Síochána ICT services and the objectives of current and future Public Sector ICT Strategies.
• Ensuring compliance with relevant Circulars, Guidelines and Advice Notes issued by the Office of the Government CIO and/or the Department of Public Expenditure, NDP Delivery and Reform.
• Mentoring, coaching and developing staff, including performance management and putting in place associated development and training plans.
• Performing other duties as directed or required.

A full list of essential requirements is available in the Information Booklet.

The closing date for receipt of completed applications is 3pm on Thursday, 8 October 2026.

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