Location – Haymarket House, Smithfield, Dublin 7
Reports to – Head of Transport Planning
Salary – 3C €96, €100, year scale)
Iarnród Éireann is seeking a dynamic and motivated Senior Policy and Engagement Manager (EU) to support the delivery of a once-in-a-generation programme of Capital Investment in rail. The Senior Policy and Engagement Manager (EU) is charged with leading the design, development and application of a European Union (EU) Policy Programme that develops an organisation wide understanding of how the All-Island Strategic Rail Review aligns with related EU policies and advocates for stakeholder support to fully implement all proposed strategic interventions.
Dimensions:
* The role holder will be a member of the extended IÉ leadership team and act as a catalyst for the organisation to deliver on IÉ's current capital programme of projects, the All-Island Strategic Rail Review and all related strategic ambitions
* Leads a small team and engages widely across the organisation
* While committed to supporting hybrid working from our offices across the rail network, and elsewhere in line with our Remote Working Policy, it is anticipated that the role holder will require regular attendance in IÉ Dublin offices with some foreign travel likely.
Responsibilities:
Lead the development of an IÉ understanding of EU policy, as related to transport and sustainability in particular, how all related policies connect with IÉ corporate ambitions for rail development in Ireland and progress a programme of associated actions, with this to include:
* Programme Development and Application
* Stakeholder Collaboration
* Building Expertise
* Communications
* Governance
***This job description is not exhaustive, merely outlining key duties and responsibilities***
Key Requirements:
This role is for a highly motivated leader, with a passion for bringing about new futures, for someone who can take a strategy with a clear vision for rail and support its implementation with subject matter expertise on how it connects and contributes to related European Union policies.
The post holder will be a creative collaborator, with deep subject matter expertise and experience of exceling in engaging and enrolling others across diverse stakeholder groups in their participation of a transformative journey to a new desirable future.
Essential:
* A passion for bringing about new futures through creative collaboration
* Deep experience and knowledge of the EU policy context, especially as it relates to rail transport and sustainability, along with how it may apply to Ireland
* A minimum of three years' experience in a leadership role, with substantive expertise of engaging with and influencing stakeholders at senior levels in complex ecosystems
* Possess strong leadership, creative, enrolment and communication skills, together with an ability to confront and resolve complex personnel and/or technical challenges
Desirable:
* A degree or third level professional qualification
* Experience from a public sector environment within a complex stakeholder ecosystem
* An established network of contacts across the Irish and EU transport ecosystem
* Experience of securing funding and/or finance for rail investments from EU programmes
A competency-based interview will form part of this selection process. Candidates may be shortlisted on the basis of experience and/or application/CV.
The closing date for applications is 4pm Friday 17th October 2025.
Applications and full job description requests to:
At Iarnród Éireann Irish Rail we are committed to embedding diversity and inclusion in all that we do. This starts with how we recruit people. It is important to us that all individuals feel welcome to join our organisation and we take great care to ensure an even playing field for all.
We will strive to provide reasonable accommodation to all candidates where required and requested.
We are an equal opportunities employer and do not discriminate against any employee or applicant for employment because of race, ethnicity, sex, age, religion, sexual orientation, gender identity and/or expression or disability.
**(Please note when e-mailing applications that you state the position applied for in the subject box)***