Chief People Officer

The organisation The Irish Aviation Authority (IAA) is responsible for safety, security, economic and consumer regulation of civil aviation in Ireland and regulates to the highest professional standards to ensure a safe, secure, and consumer-focused aviation environment. Through regulation, the IAA supports world class performance and innovation in Irish and global aviation. The role The IAA is recruiting for the role of Chief People Officer. This is a unique opportunity for a dynamic and strategic individual. The Chief People Officer (CPO) is responsible for the IAA's people strategy and for managing all aspects of the IAA's human resources. This newly established role will also serve and contribute as a key member of the IAA's Senior Management Team, providing strategic business insights and innovative and insightful solutions to critical HR issues, as well as advising and supporting all members of the Senior Management Team. The person The ideal candidate should have a proven history of developing and executing effective HR strategies and initiatives. They must possess experience in successfully planning, implementing, and leading change, along with the ability to build strong relationships and positively in?uence key stakeholders throughout the organisation. Experience within the aviation industry, a state body, or a commercial semi-state company would be highly bene?cial. Mission and Values Mission: The Irish Aviation Authority regulates to the highest professional standards to ensure a safe, secure and consumer-focused aviation environment. Through regulations, we support word class performance and innovation in Irish and global aviation. Values: Our values reflect what we believe in and how we behave when engaging with each other, our clients and partners, and the society in which we live. Safety defines us: We are the industry experts and the authority in our field. The passenger is central: We protect the interests of passengers in everything we do. We champion excellence: Individually and collectively, we ensure that our practices and performance are of the highest standard in global aviation, and consistently implemented. Our value is in our people: Our professionalism and commitment are at the heart of everything we do. Clear and responsive: We are accessible. We meet and surpass our public service commitments and strive to provide clarity and promote understanding in all aspects of regulation. Collaborative: We promote teamwork within the Authority, and work with stakeholders and clients to find solutions. We promote sustainable and responsible practices: Aiming to promote the development of aviation in a sustainable and responsible way, meeting the imperative to protect our shared environment. Role Summary The role of Chief People Officer (CPO), reporting to the Chief Executive, will be responsible for the IAA's people strategy, and managing all aspects of the IAA's human resources as the most senior people strategist. The role of CPO will be a key architect and leader of a supportive HR organisation, and will oversee all aspects of human resource management, organisational development, aligning the Company's culture with its mission and strategic business plans, as well as establishing and maintaining a supportive work environment that embraces change and innovation to achieve the Company's vision through its people. In addition, the CPO will serve and contribute as a key member of the IAA's Senior Management Team and provide strategic business insights and innovative and insightful solutions to critical HR issues, as well as advising and supporting all members of the Senior Management Team. The CPO will be responsible for developing and implementing human resource strategies that support the Company's mission, vision, values, and strategic goals, while fostering a culture of safety, inclusivity, growth, and innovation. Key Accountabilities The CPO will be responsible for, but not limited to, the following: 1. Strategic & Operational HR Leadership: Develop and implement human resource strategies and initiatives that support the achievement of the Company's overall business objectives. Establish and develop an appropriate HR function and provide leadership and guidance to the HR team. Provide advice and support to the CEO and to the individual members of the Senior Management Team. 2. Talent Acquisition and Management: Oversee all aspects of talent acquisition, including recruitment, selection, and onboarding processes. Develop strategies for attracting and retaining top talent. Implement suitable performance management systems to ensure effective individual and team performance, provide feedback, and discuss employee growth and development. 3. Employee Engagement and Culture: Lead initiatives to foster a positive and inclusive work environment that leverage the power of the Company's mission, vision, values and behaviours. Develop programmes and policies that promote employee participation, engagement, satisfaction, and wellbeing. Champion diversity, equality, and inclusion efforts throughout the organisation. Act as an agent of change by advocating and anticipating HR related needs and adding value for the benefit of employees and the organisation, as well as establishing an organisation-wide leadership cadre of people and change champions. 4. Organisational Development: Work closely with department heads to assess organisational needs. Develop and implement appropriate strategies to build high-performing teams and a culture of outperformance. Develop a performance management approach which creates an environment where people can perform to the best of their abilities and in alignment with the organisation's overall goals. Provide insight and leadership on business transformation and on change management, as well as leading initiatives to support Company growth and evolution. 5. Employee Relations and Compliance: Ensure compliance with all employment laws and regulations. Ensure all employee relations issues, grievances, and investigations are dealt with in a professional, fair and timely manner. Develop and implement policies and procedures to maintain a positive and productive workplace environment. Ensure appropriate pro-active, and effective employee communication strategies and processes are in place. 6. Industrial Relations and Industrial Peace: Establish and maintain effective relationships with Trade Union officials and employee representatives. Ensure all claims and issues are processed procedurally and in a timely manner. Develop and maintain a dispute resolution procedure that exclusively provides for the peaceful resolution of all disputes through the exhaustion of all procedural steps, both internally and externally, as required. 7. Total Rewards and Benefits: Oversee the design and administration of competitive compensation and benefits programmes - including pay, pensions and other employment benefits, within the framework of a Chief People Officer, Irish Aviation Authority Forvis Mazars 4 commercial semi-state organisation. Analyse market trends and maintain benchmarking data to ensure the Company remains competitive in its offerings. 8. HR Information Technology and Data Analytics: Lead the selection, development and implementation of HR information technology solutions to streamline processes and enhance data-driven decision-making. Utilise data analytics, including AI, to assess and establish appropriate HR metrics and drive continuous improvement. 9. Learning, Development and Training: Ensure that the learning and development needs of the organisation are regularly reviewed and that suitable investment in programmes to build individual, team, and organisational capability, is provided on an ongoing basis. Establish a "learning organisation" culture and ensure that training, development and continuous improvement forms part of the offering to all staff and at all levels. 10. HR Administration, Policies & Procedures, and personal data protection: Establish and maintain appropriate best in class systems and processes regarding all aspects of HR. Administration, including such areas as; contracts of employment, promotion, probation, employee benefits statements, and retirement. Ensure that HR staff are fully aware of and are vigilant regarding all relevant data protection laws and requirements, including GDPR, and that full compliance with all such regulations is maintained. Ensure the ongoing development and review of policies and procedures, in line with best practice, in respect of all areas within HR as required. The Person Essential Requirements The successful candidate must be able to demonstrate evidence of: Bachelor's degree in Human Resource Management, Business Administration or a related field Minimum 8 years of progressive leadership experience in Human Resources with at least 5 years in a senior HR management role Excellent leadership, communication and interpersonal skills Proven track record of success leading the people agenda, including experience engaging with Unions. A deep knowledge and understanding of HR best practice, employment law and regulations Proven track record of developing and implementing successful HR strategies and initiatives Demonstrated experience in engagement at Boardroom / C- suite level A track record of successfully planning and implementing change Proven ability to build strong relationships and positively influence key stakeholders across the organisation Proven experience of being a strategic thinker with the ability to translate business objectives into HR priorities Desirable Attributes The successful candidate should also be able to demonstrate evidence of: Master's Degree in Human Resource Management, Business Administration or a related field Chartered FCIPD membership Relevant experience gained working in a state body, commercial semi-state Company or in a regulated industry (e.g. aviation) would be advantageous How to Apply Forvis Mazars have been retained by the Irish Aviation Authority (IAA) to assist with the appointment of the Chief People Officer role. Forvis Mazars, on behalf of the IAA, invites applications from suitably qualified candidates both nationally and internationally, and will be undertaking a comprehensive recruitment process as part of this recruitment campaign. Forvis Mazars will be managing all aspects of this recruitment project on behalf of the IAA. No enquiries or canvassing should be made directly to the IAA. Applications should be submitted online and must include: 1. A comprehensive CV (including an org chart from your most recent employment). 2. A comprehensive letter of motivation (no more than 2 pages) outlining a statement of key achievements and where you believe your skills, experience, personality, motivation and values meet the requirements of the position. Only applications fully submitted online will be accepted into the campaign. To apply for this role, visit and search Ref. IAA0125. 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