Programme Director

GCS Recruitment; Ireland; On-site; EUR 90,000 - 120,000; Full time

Job summary

GCS Recruitment seeks a Programme Director to lead a large-scale transformation programme in Dublin. Responsibilities include overseeing projects focused on fleet modernisation and operational change, ensuring alignment across multiple stakeholders.

The ideal candidate will have extensive experience in managing significant transformation initiatives, particularly in transport and public sectors. This role offers the opportunity to influence long-term strategic outcomes while working in a hybrid environment.

Qualifications

• Extensive experience leading major transformation programmes in complex organisations.
• Proven track record delivering large-scale programmes valued over €50m.
• Strong background in business transformation and operational change.

Responsibilities

• Oversee end-to-end delivery of major transformation programme.
• Develop and maintain programme roadmaps and governance frameworks.
• Lead a cross-functional team of managers and analysts.

Skills

Leadership

Stakeholder management

Risk management

Analytical skills

Problem-solving

Communication

Education

Master's degree

Project management certification (PRINCE2, PMP)

Job description

Programme Director - Large-Scale Transformation Programme

Duration: 18 mth day rate contract

Location: Dublin

Onsite Requirement: Hybrid, with regular onsite presence required across operational sites and stakeholder locations

Summary of Role

In this role, you will:

• Lead a nationally significant transformation programme with a strong focus on fleet modernisation, infrastructure development, and operational change.
• Direct the delivery of a complex portfolio of projects spanning engineering, operations, technology, and organisational transformation.
• Drive large-scale change initiatives aligned to sustainability and future transport objectives.
• Provide strategic leadership across multiple programme workstreams, project teams, and senior stakeholder groups.
• Build strong relationships across government, regulatory, operational, and delivery partners to ensure successful programme outcomes.
• Support the continued development of programme governance, project delivery capabilities, and PMO maturity within the organisation.

Job Description

Responsibilities of the Role

Oversee the end-to-end delivery of a major transformation programme, ensuring projects are delivered in line with agreed objectives, timelines, budgets, and quality standards.

Develop and maintain programme roadmaps, delivery strategies, governance frameworks, milestones, and success measures.

Lead a large cross-functional team comprising programme managers, project managers, business analysts, change professionals, and PMO resources.

Provide oversight of programme governance, reporting, budgeting, risk management, interdependencies, and quality assurance across multiple concurrent projects.

Act as the primary escalation point for programme delivery challenges, driving resolution through a pragmatic and solution-focused approach.

Develop strategic recommendations and delivery options to accelerate programme outcomes while balancing operational, engineering, technology, financial, and risk considerations.

Work closely with senior executives, government stakeholders, external delivery partners, and operational teams to ensure strong alignment and decision-making.

Lead the development of future-state operating models encompassing people, processes, technology, and governance.

Drive continuous improvement across programme delivery practices and help enhance organisational project management capability.

Provide clear and concise reporting for executive leadership teams, governance forums, and external stakeholders.

Experience and Skills Required

Extensive experience leading major transformation programmes within complex organisations, ideally across transport, infrastructure, engineering, utilities, logistics, or public sector environments.

Proven track record delivering large-scale programmes valued in excess of €50m with accountability for time, cost, quality, and strategic outcomes.

Strong background in business transformation, operational change, and technology-enabled programme delivery.

Experience managing programmes with significant engineering, infrastructure, or asset-intensive components.

Demonstrated ability to influence and engage senior stakeholders across executive, operational, government, and regulatory environments.

Experience establishing and operating programme governance structures and PMO frameworks for large-scale initiatives.

Excellent leadership, communication, stakeholder management, and report-writing skills.

Strong risk management, planning, analytical, and problem-solving capabilities.

Relevant third-level qualification, ideally at Master's level, together with a recognised project management certification such as PRINCE2, PMP, or equivalent.

Experience working within public sector organisations and/or sustainability-focused transformation programmes would be highly advantageous.

What’s on Offer

This is an opportunity to lead a high-profile transformation programme that will have a lasting impact on public services, infrastructure, and sustainability objectives.

You will work alongside senior leaders, operational stakeholders, government bodies, and delivery partners to shape and deliver one of Ireland's most significant large-scale transformation initiatives.

The role offers the chance to influence long-term strategic outcomes while leading a complex programme at the forefront of organisational and operational change.