Vacancy Number: 27524
Category: Business
Job Type: Full-time
Position Description
This strategic leadership role is pivotal in shaping and driving the enterprise-wide risk and compliance agenda within People Operations. The People Operations Risk & Compliance Manager will define and champion the vision for governance, operational excellence, and regulatory alignment, ensuring the organisation maintains a robust compliance culture across the full employee lifecycle. This role offers a unique opportunity to influence senior leadership, lead transformation initiatives, and establish frameworks that support scalable and compliant HR service delivery.
The People Operations Risk & Compliance Manager will lead the strategic development of the HR Operations Risk and Compliance function. This includes overseeing the implementation of key compliance initiatives and frameworks such as GDPR, contract management, demand management, audit readiness, and risk mitigation. The role will work closely with cross-functional teams to ensure People Operations services are delivered in a consistent, standardised, and compliant manner, aligned with organisational policies and regulatory requirements.
Key Responsibilities
* Strategic Leadership & Vision: Define and champion the strategic vision for HR Operations Risk and Compliance, developing and owning the People Operations Risk and Compliance Strategy and multi-year roadmap to ensure alignment with organisational priorities and regulatory requirements. Influence senior leadership and cross-functional stakeholders on risk mitigation, policy alignment, and compliance priorities.
* Governance & Compliance Frameworks: Establish, oversee, and lead governance frameworks, compliance reporting, audit readiness, and audit reviews across People Operations. Ensure the development and implementation of Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) to support consistent, compliant, and high-quality service delivery.
* Risk Management & Advisory: Act as a trusted advisor to HR and business leaders on emerging risks, regulatory changes, and operational impacts. Drive ongoing assessment, proactive identification, mitigation, and management of HR operational risks, and ensure GDPR compliance, data privacy, and robust user access controls across HR systems and processes.
* Team Leadership & Capability Building: Establish and lead a multi-disciplinary team, embedding governance, accountability, and continuous improvement across People Operations. Coach and support Document Developers and other team members to build capability in risk documentation, SOP development, and compliance practices.
* Performance Measurement & Reporting: Lead the development, tracking, and reporting of KPIs, risk indicators, and performance metrics to monitor compliance health and operational resilience. Track and report activities while maintaining accurate and up-to-date documentation.
* Digital Innovation & Process Improvement: Champion the use of digital tools, automation, and data analytics to enhance risk visibility, compliance tracking, and operational efficiency. Drive continuous improvement in People Operations processes, leveraging digital and data solutions where relevant, and support readiness and risk assessment for future HR technologies and system implementations.
* Collaboration & Stakeholder Engagement: Oversee demand management, contract processes, vendor compliance, and budget tracking to align with strategic goals. Partner with cross-functional teams to embed risk and compliance in transformation initiatives and promote a culture of accountability and continuous improvement in People Operations.
Experience and Qualifications
Essential
* A minimum of 10 years of relevant business experience is required.
* Recognised relevant third level qualification or equivalent work experience.
* Demonstrated ability to lead cross-functional teams and manage complex projects.
* Strong analytical and problem-solving skills with the ability to identify and mitigate broad range of HR risks effectively, leveraging data analysis and reporting tools technology
* Excellent communication and interpersonal skills with the ability to influence and engage stakeholders at all levels.
* High level of integrity and ethical standards with a commitment to maintaining confidentiality and data privacy.
* Proven experience in a governance, risk, and compliance role.
Desirable
* Experience in applying the agile methodology and other project management principles in a professional setting.
* Experience in process optimisation and using systems and risk management software.
* Certifications in governance, risk management, or audit.
Location
This position will be based in 27 Fitzwilliam Street Lower, Dublin 2, D02 KT92, Ireland.
ESB is committed to smart working – combining digital tools with a culture of trust and empowerment to enable flexible ways of working. The successful candidate may work flexibly within their jurisdiction with attendance at the workplace for in-person collaboration on at leastone anchor day per week. All smart working arrangements are subject to manager approval and ongoing review, based on the operational requirements of the role, the team, and the individual.
Reporting To
Senior Manager, People Operations
Why Work with Us?
* Opportunity to lead Ireland's transition to net zero carbon future
* Career development through mentoring and training
* Corporate Social Responsibility Opportunities
* Sports and Social Clubs
* Networking opportunities
* Credit Union
* Generous Pension
* Access to staff well-being programmes
* Generous parental leave entitlements
* Strong values-based and inclusive culture
* Strong commitment to diversity, equity and inclusion
* Great team environment working to our Core Values: Courageous, Caring, Driven and Trusted
Salary
€83,400 - €98,000 per annum (depending on experience)
Closing Date
19th November 2025
Your application will be held in reserve for 6 months should you be suitable for the role.
Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Statement
ESB is committed to being an equal opportunities employer. We welcome applications from all sections of society and ensure that no one is discriminated against on the grounds of race, religion or belief, ethnicity or nationality, disability, age, citizenship, marital status, domestic or civil partnership status, sexual orientation or gender identity, or any other basis as protected by law.
Applicants who anticipate requiring assistance or reasonable accommodations for any part of the application or interview process may contact, in confidence,
About ESB
Join us in our mission to achieve a net-zero electricity system by 2040. ESB is Ireland's leading energy utility, with activities spanning electricity generation, transmission and distribution, energy supply, energy services and international consultancy. Operating in Ireland, Northern Ireland and Great Britain, we invest over €1 billion each year to deliver a new energy future based on reliable, affordable zero-carbon electricity.