Chief Operating Officer

SkillnetIreland is a business support agency of the Government of Ireland. Our mandate is to advance the competitiveness of Irish businesses through enterprise-led talent development. SkillnetIreland partners with more than 57 enterprise bodies, providing talent development, upskilling and innovative business supports to 24,000 businesses and 90,136 workers throughout the country every year. The agency has been recognised as an international best-practice model by the European Commission, the OECD and the ILO, among others.

Our mission is that we are “Enabling businesses in Ireland to be the best they can be, through innovative and enterprise-driven people development”. We partner directly with companies and industry groups to ensure we understand their needs and talent priorities. We also help companies to understand and embrace innovation, to build business competitiveness through skills development.

SkillnetIreland is funded from the National Training Fund through the Department of Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science.

Role Overview

Skillnet Ireland is inviting applications for the position of Chief Operating Officer (COO). Reporting directly to the CEO and forming part of the leadership team at Skillnet Ireland. Working with the CEO and Leadership Team, this role will ensure Skillnet Ireland operates as a high performing, well governed and future focused enabling the organisation to deliver on our national mission and will have full responsibility for Finance, Operations, ICT/ Digital Transformation, Human Resources, Data Governance and Information, Risk and Compliance and Corporate Governance including the line management of a team of direct reports within these functions.

The successful candidate will contribute to strategic planning and change management, both in the context of current operational performance and in respect of the future development of Skillnet Ireland.

This is an exciting leadership opportunity in a growing and dynamic agency.

Responsibilities

- Support the Board and its sub-committees and the Chief Executive in the implementation of the strategic objectives of Skillnet Ireland.

- Responsible for overseeing the organisation's governance, risk, and compliance frameworks, the design and implementation of risk and compliance processes to ensure the organisation complies with all relevant legal and regulatory obligations.

- Responsible for the design and implementation of suitable risk and compliance processes to manage key risk areas. Provide executive support to the Risk and Compliance team.

- Oversee the operations function ensuring all business processes, systems and ‘engine’ room strategies are devised and implemented in line with the wider organization’s requirements.

- Lead the human resource strategy, employee relations, employee engagement and the HR policies for the agency. Work with the leadership and management teams to advise, coach and guide on culture and people.

- Oversight and management of all corporate resources and facilities, including preparation and maintenance of the operating and ICT budgets.

- Deliver the digital transformation strategy for the agency to include the development of new management information systems to monitor and analyse the activity/progress of Skillnet funded networks and initiatives. Maintain and enhance the existing support systems and applications, leading the relationship with our service partners.

- In collaboration with the Leadership Team, lead on the delivery of KPIs and other metrics for Skillnet funded networks and initiatives. Monitor the delivery of KPIs for operational services, promoting a culture of high performance and operational effectiveness across the organization.

- Lead on the Finance strategy for the organisation by providing executive oversight and support to the Office of the Financial Controller.

- Liaise with the External and Internal Auditors and ensure that any reported findings are actioned in a timely fashion.

- A postgraduate qualification (e.g., MBA, MSc) or professional qualification in accountancy, finance, corporate governance, information systems or organizational development would be highly desirable.

- Extensive senior leadership experience (typically 10+ years) in a complex organisation (Government agency or funded enterprise) with full responsibility for multiple support/business functions (Finance, HR, ICT/Technology, Risk/Compliance, Operations).

- Demonstrable track‑record of delivering operational performance improvements, efficiency gains, business transformation (especially digital/ICT), change management and strategic implementation across multiple business units/functions.

The Individual

- A 3rd level degree (or equivalent) in a relevant discipline (e.g., accountancy, business administration, finance, computing, management).

- Track‑record of leading enterprise‑level ICT or digital change programmes, including vendor governance, specification development, system integration, data strategy and technology procurement.

- Experience in corporate governance, risk management and compliance frameworks, preferably in a board‑reporting environment, including experience of working with a board or audit/risk committee.

- Experience in financial management – budgeting, forecasting, P&L or cost control, and managing sizeable budgets (for example multi‑million €).

- Proven ability to interpret and operationalize complex business objectives, using findings from various evaluation sources and datapoints to improve operational efficiencies and to innovate key processes and applications.

- The successful candidate will also possess significant leadership and people management experience, including considerable experience at senior organisational levels in human resource practice and employee relations.

- Excellent communicator: able to articulate vision and complex ideas, engage others, present to board/senior stakeholders and write clearly and persuasively.

- Change agent mindset: comfortable leading and driving transformation, challenging the status quo and embedding new ways of working.

- High emotional intelligence: able to manage complexity, ambiguity, conflicting priorities and build relationships.

- Must demonstrate compelling levels of commercial awareness with a ‘hands on’ track record in delivering success through a complex stakeholder environment.

- Excellent analytical and problem‑solving abilities. Possess a strong understanding of lean principles with experience in successfully implementing continuous improvement programmes of significant scale.

- Possess strong interpersonal and communication skills (both verbal and written), with an ability to collaborate effectively.

Application Details

You are invited to submit:

- A comprehensive CV (including an org chart from your most recent employment).

- A short letter of application (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.

- Closing date for receipt of applications for this position is 5pm on 15th December 2025.

The selection process for this role may involve:

- Shortlisting of candidates, based on the information contained in their application.

- A competitive preliminary interview to be held in January 2026.

- A competitive final competency‑based interview in February 2026 which may include a short‑written document and a strategic presentation.

- Comprehensive reference checks

An attractive and competitive package will be offered to the successful candidate.

Skillnet Ireland is currently operating a hybrid working model for individuals and roles that meet the business needs and the criteria of suitability.

Skillnet Ireland is an Equal Opportunities Employer that values equity, diversity and inclusion as we recognise the benefits it can bring to our workforce, our partners and external stakeholders.

If you require reasonable accommodation for any part of the application process, please do not hesitate to contact us.

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