**Hybrid 2 days office** Cork or Dublin** Permanent role**
The Role:
The Portfolio Office function within Gas Networks Ireland is responsible for providing strategic direction and oversight for the delivery of all capital and operational work within the organisation, enabling it to make key decisions that will optimise the overall delivery of GNI's portfolio of work. The portfolio office provides support and oversight in the areas of Portfolio Planning and Governance, Assurance and Programme Management, Connections Coordination, Delivery Enablement, Land Management and Statutory Consents, and Commercial Management; whilst also acting as the gate keeper and critical interface between potential investment programmes and commercial opportunities; and the core departments responsible for the delivery, operation and maintenance of GNI's assets.
Reporting to the Head of Portfolio Office, the Delivery Enablement and Statutory Processes Manager will be accountable for ensuring strategic and structured ways of working, solutions, SOPs, etc. are defined and implemented to enable an efficient and successful delivery of the investment plan. This role will also include the oversight and management of key teams responsible for land, wayleaves, road opening licenses, statutory planning, etc. for GNI. This role will lead a team which will proactively anticipate and support portfolio requirements at all stages from strategic planning, through delivery and handover, develop processes and procedures to facilitate same, e.g. statutory consents processes, project and programme management capabilities, estimation and risk management, etc. The role and the team will be critical in ensuring continuous improvement and lessons learned are addressed on an ongoing basis, in order to ensure a highly efficient and effective delivery of GNI's portfolio of work.
The Manager will ensure processes and ways of working are aligned across GNI and to the satisfaction of key external stakeholders such as the Commission for Regulation of Utilities. They will also act as the principal escalation point in addressing and resolving key statutory process disputes with stakeholders, including handling complex landowner negotiations and arbitrations, ensuring positive outcomes and maintaining constructive relationships.
Ultimately, the Delivery Enablement and Statutory Processes Manager will provide critical oversight and assurance, contributing directly to the successful and compliant delivery of infrastructure projects and long-term operational excellence.
Duties and Responsibilities:
* Develop a suite of end to end processes and procedures for all activities undertaken within the Assets and Infrastructure Directorate to deliver GNI's portfolio plan.
* Ensure continuous improvement is central to how the Directorate operates, lessons learned are continuously gathered and used to enhance ways of working, training and upskilling of internal and external resources on key capital procedures and processes are facilitated and monitored and that a culture of high performance and excellence is embedded in all Directorate activities.
* Acquire the necessary land, wayleaves and statutory consents to facilitate timely delivery of the Capital Programme. Ensure strategies and procedures are in place which ensure efficient delivery of same whilst providing a robust and complete governance process.
* Deliver value for GNI through expert valuation and strategic negotiation with key stakeholders.
* Manage and oversee the statutory planning process and liaise with key stakeholders including the planning authorities and An Bord Pleanala. Work with Corporate Affairs to ensure a strategy to advocate for GNI's requirements in this complex landscape of legislative and procedural requirements is developed and delivered.
* Lead all land acquisition activities, demonstrating strong negotiation and interpersonal skills, capable of securing agreements with landowners, stakeholders, and regulatory bodies.
* Maintain strong relationships with key external stakeholders (IFA, ICMSA etc.) managing expectations and building trust at all levels internally and externally.
* Possess a deep understanding of statutory consent processes, environmental compliance, land-use planning, and relevant legislation.
* Proven ability to handle complex issues proactively, manage disputes effectively, and find practical solutions under pressure.
* Exceptional written and verbal communication skills, with the ability to clearly articulate complex issues to diverse audiences.
* Familiarity with project lifecycles, milestones, and programme delivery in infrastructure or similar environments. Ability to optimise processes in this space, in particular using more effective and efficient delivery approaches suitable to the portfolio of work being delivered.
* Competent in identifying, assessing, and mitigating land, consent, and regulatory compliance risks.
* Rigorous approach to managing documentation, compliance processes, and reporting requirements.
* Lead and motivate specialist teams, driving high performance, collaboration, and continuous improvement.
* Ability to foster cross-functional collaboration and integrate activities with wider organisational goals.
* Perform other such duties that may be required from time to time.
Knowledge, Skills and Experience:
* Relevant third level degree or equivalent accredited experience in Engineering / Science / Business / Finance / Quantity Surveying or a related discipline.
* Minimum 10 years post qualification experience in a related role working in a large scale, complex utility.
* Ability to lead, develop, and motivate specialist teams, driving high performance, collaboration, and continuous improvement.
* Familiarity with project lifecycles, milestones, and programme delivery methodologies in infrastructure or similar environments, in particular optimising same.
* Abiity to develop, optimise and roll-out technical and behavioural processes and ways of working to large internal and external teams.
* Rigorous approach to managing documentation, compliance processes, and reporting requirements.
* Strong negotiation and interpersonal skills, capable of securing agreements with landowners, stakeholders, and regulatory bodies.
* Excellent stakeholder relationship management skills, able to manage expectations and build trust at all levels internally and externally.
* Deep understanding of statutory consent processes, environmental compliance, land-use planning, and relevant legislation.
* Proven ability to handle complex issues proactively, manage disputes effectively, and find practical solutions under pressure.
* Exceptional written and verbal communication skills, with the ability to clearly articulate complex issues to diverse audiences.
* Ability to foster cross-functional collaboration and integrate activities with wider organisational goals.
Applications, including current Curriculum Vitae, should be emailed to the following address stating the job title and reference number in the subject line of your email:
The closing date for receipt of applications for this vacancy is the
10th of September 2025.
Please note that applications submitted after this closing date will not be accepted.
Gas Networks Ireland is an equal opportunities employer.
We are committed to providing a diverse and inclusive place of work and have a robust strategy and framework called ibelong to enable this. We are an equal opportunity employer and through our recruitment process we welcome and encourage applications from interested and suitably qualified individuals regardless of gender, age, racial or ethnic origin, membership of the traveller community, religion or beliefs, family or civil status, sexual orientation/gender identity or disability.
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