Chief Executive - Dublin - Forvis Mazars GmbH & Co. KG
Forvis Mazars GmbH & Co. KG Dublin
3 days ago
Description
Chief Executive - Skillnet Ireland
The Position
About Skillnet Ireland
Skillnet Ireland is a Government agency mandated to lead on workforce development, partnering with industry sectors, Government departments and agencies, together with the training and education system. It delivers a responsive, agile and joined-up workforce development proposition to Ireland's enterprise sector. The team and industry partner organisations deliver substantial workforce development responses in the digital economy, SME supports, supporting the FDI sector, workforce innovation, collaboration with the tertiary sector, climate action, and regional development.
Skillnet Ireland operates via an enterprise-led ethos, partnering directly with industry groups to understand business needs and address enterprise talent priorities. It helps companies and sectors navigate the future of work, driving more successful and competitive businesses. By combining Government and private sector investment, the Skillnet Ireland approach incentivises enterprise-led talent development and drives quality and impact in the programmes delivered. Through its joint-investment model with industry, Skillnet Ireland invests €90-100M annually in Ireland's workforce, supporting over 25,000 companies nationwide. The Skillnet Ireland enterprise-led approach has received international recognition as a best practice model from the OECD and the EU Commission.
Skillnet Ireland was established by the Government of Ireland in 1999 and includes Ireland's leading enterprise bodies, sectorial associations, and employee representatives. It is funded through private sector investment, the EU Commission, and the Government of Ireland (through Department of Further & Higher Education, Research, Innovation & Science) funding allocated from the National Training Fund.
Our Organisational Values
Growing Together: This value involves fostering a culture of innovation, embracing lifelong learning, and being agile in the face of evolving challenges, all in service of excellence. Partnering Together signifies our dedication to strong relationships, agility, and transparency in all interactions. Marking a Difference Together revolves around ethical leadership, service, and stewardship, trust-building, honesty, and kindness.
Role Summary
The Chief Executive works in partnership with the Board to ensure that Skillnet Ireland implements its mandate, with specific responsibilities stated in its Oversight Agreement with the Department of Further & Higher Education, Research, Innovation & Science. The role ensures Skillnet Ireland meets training objectives and annual targets for participation in Skillnet Ireland training programmes. The Chief Executive leads and manages a dedicated team of professionals developing innovative programmes and initiatives. They actively raise the profile of Skillnet Ireland through liaison with industry, higher education, and the wider workforce development system. Travel is a key requirement, including international and domestic travel, and working outside standard office hours.
Key Responsibilities
1. Ensure Skillnet Ireland comprehensively fulfils its mandate to promote and facilitate enterprise-led training and upskilling, sustaining national competitiveness.
2. Work with the Board to execute the specific responsibilities defined within the Oversight Agreement with Government, providing sound advice and corporate governance reporting.
3. Lead joint investment targeting forward-looking, industry-led initiatives addressing workforce, productivity, and talent challenges facing Ireland's enterprise sector.
4. Collaborate with the Board and stakeholders across industry, Government, and the training and education system on the development and implementation of the Skillnet Ireland Statement of Strategy.
5. Coordinate and deliver substantive actions assigned to Skillnet Ireland across Government policies and strategic action plans.
6. Lead the agency's role in innovation through cutting-edge industry-academia collaborations, producing industry-led research, facilitating collaborations between firms and the tertiary education sector.
7. Ensure continued efficiency and effectiveness of Skillnet Ireland's work programmes and business operations, achieving good value for money for public resources entrusted to the organisation.
8. Primary executive accountability for the oversight and maintenance of compliance and risk control framework for the organisation, adhering to legislative and regulatory obligations and directives.
9. Lead the relationship with Department of Further & Higher Education, Research, Innovation & Science, disseminating industry insights to inform Government workforce policy and bringing Departmental visibility to Skillnet Ireland's contribution.
10. Engage at Ministerial and senior official level on the Annual Estimates process.
11. Ensure effective use of funding committed to Skillnet Networks and Schemes, using appropriate systems, procedures, and controls, and ensuring activities and outputs are properly monitored and validated.
12. Further develop Skillnet Ireland's EU engagement strategy by contributing to EU skills and workforce development policy, building and maintaining relations with EU stakeholders.
13. Provide thought leadership inside and outside the organisation, continually developing Skillnet Ireland's role as an innovative and progressive leader in workforce development, keeping abreast of developments and initiatives in Human Resource Development and workforce upskilling.
14. Lead the agency's public affairs strategy through engagement with industry leadership, Government Ministers, Oireachtas members, the European Commission, and the OECD, representing the agency as principal spokesperson at strategic fora and media engagements.
15. Oversight of operations, finance, communications, and governance on a day-to-day basis, providing leadership to the Executive team promoting an inclusive, high-performance culture with staff and those employed in Skillnet Networks nationally.
The Person
The successful candidate will be purpose driven, with strong personal values and commitment to the role, demonstrating evidence of:
Essential Criteria:
1. A relevant third-level qualification to minimum Level 8 on the National Framework of Qualifications in a business or related discipline.
2. Experience operating at a senior executive level in a complex stakeholder-driven organisation, with a proven record of strategic delivery at scale.
3. An in-depth understanding of transformation within a global business environment across digital, sustainability, and SME development.
4. An in-depth understanding of the strategic talent challenges facing Skillnet Ireland combined with a vision and openness for the future, generating and implementing innovative solutions.
5. A comprehensive understanding of human resource development, workforce development, labour market dynamics, and future talent needs of the enterprise sector.
6. A high level of technical competence across the talent development value chain encompassing talent development strategy, stakeholder engagement, programme design and accreditation, digital learning methodologies, programme delivery, and evaluation.
Desirable Criteria:
1. Familiarity with Government and public sector organisations, and appreciation of Government workforce and skills policy.
2. Successful engagement with non-Government/Enterprise organisations such as the EU.
3. Proven acumen in designing and implementing complex strategy.
Salary
The salary for this role is approximately €150,000 per annum, commensurate with experience.
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