Purpose of job & Reporting Relationship

The Head of Corporate Services will report to and work closely with the Director. The Head of Corporate Services will provide updates to the Oberstown Board and work with relevant Board sub Committees as required. The Head of Corporate Services will have line management responsibility for HR, Finance, Communications and IT.

Oberstown Children Detention Campus is now seeking a Principal Officer as Head of Corporate Services. This senior leadership position is an exciting and challenging role for an experienced manager who can demonstrate an excellent working knowledge of relevant areas of financial management, human resources, information management and technology, strategic planning, along with a proven track record in the management and delivery of corporate services.

As a member of the Senior Management Team, the successful candidate will play a key role in the organisation by influencing its capacity to perform its functions effectively in a complex environment. The position offers an opportunity for an ambitious, enthusiastic and committed professional with a strong commitment to serving the public interest, to influence and contribute to the development of the Campus.

Principal Duties and Responsibilities

• Lead out in the development and management of all internal support systems to ensure they operate efficiently and effectively, including human resources, financial management, information systems, procurement and organisational change.
• Lead out in the design, development and implementation of the organisations People Strategy that focuses on recruitment, retention and management of people to ensure high performance, with an emphasis on development, talent and future proofing the organisation.
• Responsible for the Strategic leadership of Oberstown's financial affairs, developing and recommending budget and financial planning strategies, budget monitoring and reporting to the Director, providing all appropriate assurances to the Board, Director and to the Department of Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth.
• Responsible for strategic and operational leadership of the human resources function and the provision of advice on personnel matters to the Director and senior leadership team, including oversight of development and review of people strategies, policy proposals and procedures on personnel matters including recruitment, staff appraisal, training and development, payroll, pensions and employee relations.
• Responsible for strategic leadership of the information and oversight of ICT strategy development and implementation while also ensuring Oberstown ICT systems are secure, up to date and fit for purpose at all times.
• Working with the Director and senior leadership team, to develop corporate and business plans, and lead in the development of a coherent corporate services strategy through achievable action plans.
• Responsible for the oversight of all Garda vetting processes for staff in the employment or service of Oberstown, including the management of the information provided and ensuring information governance related legal requirements are met.
• To develop plans across Corporate Services to support implementation of the agreed business strategies for Oberstown, which are focused on delivering Oberstown's objectives and priorities and which mitigate all identified risks.
• Fostering a values based culture of accountability, innovation, continual learning, staff development and wellbeing. To develop an organisational culture of continuous improvement, collaboration and value for money.
• Driving high performance to ensure daily operations support delivery of strategic outcomes.
• Establishing good working relations with key stakeholders and manage relationships effectively with key external contractors and suppliers.
• Develop and co-lead the senior leadership team and ensure structured leadership collaboration and engagement including but not limited to regular planned and unplanned leadership team meetings.
• Liaising with the Department of Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth on reporting mechanisms, staffing, management framework, financial delegation etc.
• Representing the Director and Oberstown where appropriate.
• Working closely with and inputting to the Oberstown Board of Management and relevant Board Sub Committees to ensure they are kept up to date on all strategy implementation and business transformation initiatives.
• Staying up-to-date with industry trends, emerging risks, and regulatory changes to ensure that the organisation's strategy remains relevant and effective.
• Working with senior managers to develop a positive and inclusive working environment.
• Providing support across performance management framework as appropriate

Experience & Knowledge

Candidates must be able to demonstrate clearly at interview that they possess the full range of competencies as set out below.

Leadership & Strategic Direction

• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills including the ability to present information in a clear and concise manner.
• Leads the team, setting high standards, tackling any performance problems & facilitating high performance.
• Facilitates an open exchange of ideas and fosters and atmosphere of open communication.
• Contributes to the shaping of Oberstown's strategy and policy.
• Develops capability and capacity across the team through effective delegation.
• Develops a culture of learning & development, offering coaching and constructive / supportive feedback.
• Leads on preparing for and implementing significant change and reform.
• Anticipates and responds quickly to developments in the sector/ broader environment.
• Actively collaborates with other Departments, Organisations and Agencies.

Judgement & Decision Making

• Identifies and focuses on core issues when dealing with complex information/ situations.
• Assembles facts, manipulates verbal and numerical information and thinks through issues logically.
• Sees the relationships between issues and quickly grasp the high level and socio-political implications.
• Identifies coherent solutions to complex issues.
• Takes action, making decisions in a timely manner and having the courage to see them through.
• Makes sound and well informed decisions, understanding their impact and implications.
• Takes accountability for their decisions.
• Strives to effectively balance the sectoral issues, political elements and the citizen impact in all decisions.

Management & Delivery of Results

• Initiates and takes personal responsibility for delivering results/ services in own area.
• Balances strategy and operational detail to meet business needs.
• Manages multiple agendas and tasks and reallocates resources to manage changes in focus.
• Makes optimum use of resources and implements performance measures to deliver on objectives.
• Ensures the optimal use of ICT and new delivery models.
• Critically reviews projects and activities to ensure their effectiveness and that they meet Organisational requirements.
• Instils the importance of efficiencies, value for money and meeting corporate governance requirements.
• Ensures team are focused and act on Business plans priorities, even when faced with pressure.

Building Relationships & Communication

• Ability to influrnce at all levels of the organisation.
• Speaks and writes in a clear, articulate and impactful manner.
• Actively listens, seeking to understand the perspective and position of others.
• Manages and resolves conflicts / disagreements in a positive & constructive manner.
• Works effectively within the political process, recognising & managing tensions arising from different stakeholders perspectives.
• Persuades others; builds consensus, gains co-operation from others to obtain information and accomplish goals.
• Proactively engages with colleagues at all levels of the organisation and across other Departments/Agencies.
• Organisations and builds strong professional networks.
• Makes opinions known when s/he feels it is right to do so.

Specialist Knowledge, Expertise & Self Development

• Develops and maintains skills and expertise across a number of areas that are relevant to his/her field and recognised by people internal and external to the Department/ Organisation.
• Keeps up to date with key departmental, sectoral, national and international policies and economic, political and social trends that affect the role.
• Maintains a strong focus on self-development, seeking feedback and opportunities for growth.

Drive, Commitment & Public Service Values

• Consistently strives to perform at a high level.
• Brings a pro-active and 'can-do' approach everyday.
• Demonstrates personal commitment to the role, maintaining determination and persistence while maintaining a sense of balance and perspective in relation to work issues.
• Contributes positively to the corporate agenda.
• Is personally trustworthy, honest and respectful, delivering on promises and commitments.
• Ensures the citizen is at the heart of all services provided.
• Is resilient, maintaining composure even in adverse or challenging situations.
• Promotes a culture that fosters the highest standards of ethics and integrity.

Experience & Eligibility Criteria

Qualifications

The selection criteria below outline the qualifications, skills, knowledge and/or experience that the successful candidate will need to demonstrate for successful discharge of the responsibilities of the post.

Applications will be assessed on the basis of how well candidates satisfy these criteria.

Essential Criteria

• A qualification at level 8 or higher on the National Framework of Qualifications.
• At least 7 years' experience in a senior leadership role, ideally in a complex environment, managing multiple projects with a range of stakeholders, with a proven track record of success in either human resources, financial management or organisational change in a multi-disciplinary context linking service delivery to strategic objectives.

Desirable Criteria

• Experience of leading Corporate Services functions, including for example, Finance, Human Resources, ICT, Procurement with the capacity to quickly acquire an understanding of, and appreciation for, the Organisation's role and objectives and of the context within which it operates.
• Understanding of budgetary responsibility, including general corporate financial processes.
• Evidence of handling highly complex organisational matters and difficult situations with diplomacy and tact.
• Knowledge and experience of dealing with complex ICT systems and interface with partner organisations and departments.
• Demonstrable experience of leading and managing Corporate Services teams and supporting organisational development and change at a senior level.
• Demonstrable experience of providing effective leadership, and motivating and supporting a team.
• Knowledge and experience of HR legislation, procedures and best practice.
• Experience of dealing with staff representative bodies and third party resolution mechanisms.
• Ability to analyse complex and diverse information and communicating this effectively to colleagues.
• A willingness and capacity to assume the levels of responsibility and accountability required to carry out a range of professional and management functions and be comfortable carrying out those responsibilities from time to time in public.
• Excellent communication, interpersonal and relationship management skills and the capacity to influence and work effectively with a broad range of internal and external stakeholders in a constructive manner.
• Sound judgement, problem solving and decision making skills;
• Self-motivation, commitment and energy, with a passion to serve and protect the public interest
• Ambition to deliver on demanding strategic development targets with strong personal and professional credibility.
• Public sector experience or demonstrable capacity to quickly acquire an understanding of same.
• Be a member of a prescribed professional body.

How to apply

Applications must be made by submitting the following documents:

• A short cover letter outlining why you wish to be considered for the post and where you believe your skills, experience and values meet the requirements of the position.
• A comprehensive CV, which must include an outline of your education to date (including level on NFQ) and work experience to date.
• (Please also outline that you are in receipt of an up-to-date full Irish Driving Licence.)

In order to apply for the post of Head of Corporate Services, please forward the above requested information via email to [email protected] before Friday 08 August 2025 @ 5pm.