MANAGING DIRECTOR

Principal Connections Ltd; Dublin; On-site; EUR 100,000 - 150,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading educational provider based in Dublin is seeking a commercially minded Managing Director to drive strategic growth and oversee all aspects of product development and customer engagement. The ideal candidate has proven commercial acumen, strong communication skills, and a background in education or product strategy. This position offers a competitive remuneration package and an opportunity to lead a high-performing team in a dynamic environment.

Benefits

Competitive remuneration and benefits package

Qualifications

• Proven experience in education, product strategy, sales, or marketing.
• Ability to manage cross-functional teams and complex programmes.
• Working knowledge of the Irish language is advantageous.

Responsibilities

• Accountable for strategic direction and commercial performance.
• Oversee revenue generation and effective management of contracts.
• Lead product development, sales, marketing, and customer engagement.

Skills

Commercial acumen

Strong communication skills

Negotiation skills

Relationship management

Job description

Principal Connections has been retained by a leading provider of educational products and services to identify an accomplished senior leader to assume the position of Managing Director.

With a strong reputation for innovation, partnership, and sector impact, the organisation now seeks to appoint a commercially minded and strategically focused Managing Director to lead its next phase of growth.

THE POSITION

The Managing Director (MD) will hold full accountability for strategic direction, commercial performance, and sustainable organisational growth. In addition, they will have full accountability for product development, sales, marketing, and customer engagement.

The appointee will oversee revenue generation, profitability, and the effective management of national contracts, while also directing product development, customer engagement, and marketing activities. Leading a small but high performing team, the MD will act as the primary representative of the organisation across national forums and sector events. They will maintain strong relationships with educational bodies, partners, and clients, guide the product roadmap, inform new programme opportunities, and ensure consistent brand, content, and customer experience standards.

REQUIREMENTS

The successful candidate will demonstrate proven commercial acumen, with experience in education, product strategy, sales, or marketing, and a record of building influential networks across both the private and public sectors. They will bring strong communication, negotiation, and relationship management skills, along with the ability to translate customer insight into innovative, market‑leading solutions.

They will be an effective leader of cross‑functional teams, capable of managing complex programmes, navigating the public sector and remaining well informed on policy developments, education reform, and broader national trends. A working knowledge of the Irish language would be advantageous.

REMUNERATION

A competitive remuneration and benefits package will be on offer to the successful candidate.

HOW TO APPLY

To apply, please submit a Curriculum Vitae by email to Principal Connections via the online “Apply Option” available in strictest confidence, for the immediate attention of Eilish Devine, Partner.

For a confidential discussion please contact Eilish Devine, Partner.

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION

Principal Connections is acting as an employment agency and has been retained to manage this important appointment process.

Principal Connections and our clients are committed to equality of opportunity in employment. We adhere fully to the principles of the Employment Equality Acts 1998‑2015 and the Fair Employment and Treatment (Northern Ireland) Order 1998.

Candidates for this post will be sourced through both an advertised selection and executive search process.

Only applications submitted through the available online application options or via the email address provided will be considered.

Please note that any offer of employment will be made subject to satisfactory reference checks as well as any other background checks and/or assessments deemed appropriate to the process.

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ABOUT PRINCIPAL CONNECTIONS

Principal Connections is a leading executive search and leadership consulting firm serving organisations across Ireland, the United Kingdom and internationally. We are also part of Agilium Worldwide LLC (Est. 1984), independently ranked one of the world's top global executive search groups. (55+ offices, 30+ countries, 250+ consultants).

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Skills: CEO, Senior Executive, Chief Executive