Head of Project Controls and Programme Management, Iarnród Éireann (Irish Rail)

Norman Broadbent Plc; Dublin; On-site; EUR 120,000 - 170,000; Full time

Job summary

Iarnród Éireann (Irish Rail) is leading a major capital investment programme to modernise the nation’s rail network. The role of Head of Project Controls and Programme Management will steer governance, reporting, and controls across the portfolio, ensuring performance visibility, risk management, and value for money.

The post requires senior leadership of cross-functional teams, strong strategic insight, and a drive to deliver digital transformation in project controls and programme delivery.

Qualifications

• Minimum 15 years’ experience in programme management, project controls, or PMO leadership within rail or major complex infrastructure programmes.
• Degree in engineering, project management, construction economics or related discipline.
• Chartered membership (APM, PMI, Engineer’s Ireland, RICS or equivalent) desirable.

Responsibilities

• Own and lead portfolio-level project controls and programme management strategy across cost, schedule, risk, governance, assurance, and resources.
• Direct all project controls activities for Capital Investments, including planning, reporting, cost, risk, and governance management.
• Develop and maintain a standardised Project Controls Framework covering schedules, costs, risks, and reporting processes.
• Oversee programme schedules, milestones, forecasting, and dependency management using Primavera P6 or similar tools.
• Implement robust cost control and Earned Value Management (EVM) to support performance tracking and investment decisions.
• Lead enterprise-wide risk and opportunity management, ensuring effective mitigation planning and up-to-date risk registers.
• Establish and manage governance and assurance processes to ensure compliance, consistency, and effective reporting.
• Provide strategic portfolio insight through monitoring of performance, progress, supplier delivery, risks, and opportunities.
• Drive digital transformation in project controls through systems integration, data analytics, and continuous improvement initiatives.
• Build, mentor, and develop high-performing project controls teams while leading capability development and business improvement programmes.]

Skills

Strategic leadership

Programme governance

Risk management

Stakeholder engagement

Education

Engineering degree

Project management degree

Tools

Primavera P6

Job description

Iarnród Éireann (Irish Rail) is driving a major transformation to enhance Ireland’s rail network, with a nationwide capital investment programme focused on expanding passenger and freight capacity. The Head of Project Controls and Programme Management will lead the development and implementation of a robust project controls, governance and reporting framework across Iarnród Éireann’s major capital investment portfolio. This senior leadership role ensures that all projects within the rail modernisation and capacity enhancement programme are delivered with full visibility of performance, risk and value for money. The post will act as the discipline lead for the Project Controls and Programme Management resources across Capital Investments to deliver effective process frameworks, improved capability and effective controls systems for programme and project delivery.

Responsibilities:

• Own and lead portfolio-level project controls and programme management strategy across cost, schedule, risk, governance, assurance, and resources.
• Direct all project controls activities for Capital Investments, including planning, reporting, cost, risk, and governance management.
• Develop and maintain a standardised Project Controls Framework covering schedules, costs, risks, and reporting processes.
• Oversee programme schedules, milestones, forecasting, and dependency management using Primavera P6 or similar tools.
• Implement robust cost control and Earned Value Management (EVM) to support performance tracking and investment decisions.
• Lead enterprise-wide risk and opportunity management, ensuring effective mitigation planning and up-to-date risk registers.
• Establish and manage governance and assurance processes to ensure compliance, consistency, and effective reporting.
• Provide strategic portfolio insight through monitoring of performance, progress, supplier delivery, risks, and opportunities.
• Drive digital transformation in project controls through systems integration, data analytics, and continuous improvement initiatives.
• Build, mentor, and develop high-performing project controls teams while leading capability development and business improvement programmes.

Ideal Candidate:

• Strategic and analytical thinker with strong commercial awareness and focus on delivery confidence.
• Clear communicator with the ability to influence and gain buy-in across technical, operational and executive levels.
• Passionate about introducing digital innovation, process improvement and value optimisation in programme delivery.
• Committed to public service values of transparency, accountability, and stewardship of taxpayer investment.
• Solid understanding of industry regulations and standards applicable to large-scale infrastructure projects

Qualifications:

• Minimum 15 years’ experience in programme management, project controls, or PMO leadership within rail or major complex infrastructure programmes.
• Degree in engineering, project management, construction economics or related discipline.
• Chartered membership (APM, PMI, Engineer’s Ireland, RICS or equivalent) desirable.