Job Title:
Employment Manager
Reporting To:
Head of Operations
Employer:
Donegal Local Development CLG (DLDC)
Main Purpose of Role:
The Employment Manager is responsible for activating participants into the labour market by enhancing employability and supporting individuals into sustainable employment. They will ensure that DLDC's employment supports improve clients' lives through guidance, job-search assistance, personal development, and participation in job activation programmes. They will engage employers through the development of relationships, place clients and developing pathways to employment.
Working closely with the Social Inclusion Manager, the Employment Manager delivers coordinated personal development solutions and oversees critical non-employment programmes to ensure client-focused service delivery. They will have accountability for a department, including oversight of Local Area Employment Services (LAES), Individual Placement Supports (IPS), Employer Engagement, and other individual support programmes.
The role involves managing teams and programmes that help people progress, access, and sustain employment, ensuring supports are tailored, effective, and integrated across services. The Employment Manager collaborates with staff to implement plans, foster teamwork, share best practices, and maintain efficient departmental oversight.
In all aspects of the role, the Employment Manager actively demonstrates DLDC's values of respect, community, collaboration, inclusion, and integrity in leadership, decision-making, and interactions with staff, clients, and partners.
Salary
Department Manager Salary Scale - €52,000 gross per annum
Conditions of Work:
This full-time contract of indeterminate duration and is subject funding from the Exchequer. Flexibility will be required to work outside the work schedule to fulfil programme duties. A probationary period of 6 months will apply and performance & supports in the role will be reviewed.
Benefits include: Eligibility for a 6% employer-contributed pension scheme; 25 days annual leave & other leave options; Flexible working arrangements are available; Hybrid working arrangements may be requested upon completion of probation; Travel and subsistence allowance; Learning and development opportunities; Employee Assistance Programme
Main Duties
You will be required to...
1
Strategic Planning and implementation
* Work closely with the peer Social Inclusion Manager to ensure cohesive and coordinated delivery of individual support services in DLDC.
* Provide strategic leadership and vision for Employment & other individual client support teams and associated projects, ensuring sound management of all operational activities and ensuring that all actions accord with the relevant annual plans.
* Ensure the provision of supports and services that promote social inclusion and increase employability and job readiness.
* Ensure that supports and services meet individual client needs, working with teams to put appropriate action plans and tailored supports in place.
* Coordinate all teams to foster the exchange of ideas, promote collaborative working, and provide cross-team learning opportunities.
* Work as part of DLDC's wider leadership team to drive company strategy, ensure alignment across departments, and support the delivery of key objectives.
2
People Leadership
* Lead and oversee the operations of assigned individual support teams, ensuring services run smoothly and achieve successful outcomes.
* Coach and support the individual contributors and team leaders reporting to you, helping them develop their skills and lead their programmes/teams effectively.
* Run regular team meetings and one-to-one sessions with both your direct reports and project teams to maintain clear communication, encourage collaboration, & review progress.
* Oversee departmental performance, using development tools and KPIs to track outcomes, and carry out one-to-one appraisals and regular performance check-ins.
* Work closely with HR on recruitment, performance management, and staff development, providing guidance, coaching, and feedback to support a high-performing team.
* Ensure all staff are clear on policies, procedures, and best practices, and maintain accurate records of leave, time in lieu, and other HR matters.
* Engage in open and constructive conversations with staff to guide behaviours and performance, fostering accountability, respect, and a positive team culture.
3
Provision of Support to Staff in Carrying Out their Duties
* Plan, manage and monitor the activities of staff in accordance with DLDC programme of Activities and relevant annual work plans.
* Ensure that staff are provided with relevant directives and recommendations from Head of Operations, the CEO and the Board of Management.
4
Financial Management
* Have oversight of all the budgets of the Department Programmes and ensure that spend is occurring in line with the annual work plans.
* Ensure that all relevant staff are aware of the finances within their projects.
* Work with the Finance Manager and associated project staff to ensure that all spending is reported on appropriately.
5
Report Writing, Monitoring and Evaluation
* Work with the staff, and the Head of Operations to ensure that appropriate monitoring and evaluation mechanisms are in place to gauge the effectiveness of Programmes.
* Ensure that all quarterly reports are provided to the relevant funders such as Pobal, Local Link, LAES, IPS, County Council, Interreg etc,
* Management and oversight of the Pobal IRIS and Business Object Model implementation (BOMi), Distance Travelled Tool, and other client systems.
6
Reporting to the Board of DLDC
* Attend DLDC Department Managers' meetings and DLDC Board meetings when requested and provide reports, both written and verbal, on progress and associated programmes as requested.
7
Interagency Work
* Represent DLDC on any relevant subgroups and any other external structures as instructed by the Head of Operations.
* Support the involvement of other staff and Board members on relevant committees and networks.
* Ensure that good working relationships are maintained with all relevant agencies and groups.
8
Policy, Networking and Funding
* Keep up to date with national policies and their potential impact on the Employment and associated projects.
* Keep updated with relevant regional and national developments through networking.
* Ensure that documentation and files are maintained for the use of the Finance and Administration and for inspection by the Company Auditors, LCDC, Pobal, programme delivery and other relevant monitoring bodies.
* Contribute to funding identification & applications where necessary.
9
This list of job duties is not exhaustive and may be amended in order that all role duties are fulfilled.
Core Competencies
Essential
1
Leadership & People
Management
Minimum of 3 years' experience leading teams at a senior level, including responsibility for large/complex structures or managing other team leaders.
Proven ability to lead teams to deliver results, with confidence in having constructive conversations to support and manage performance.
Experience guiding individuals through change and transitions, fostering adaptability, trust, and a positive team culture.
2
Community &
Stakeholder
Engagement
Previous relevant experience in employment, employability, enterprise, or job coaching, with a strong understanding of social inclusion and anti-poverty principles. Have a strong understanding of labour market access and barriers to employment. Experience in inter-agency liaison and building effective working relationships with organisations and communities.
Strong group facilitation, communication, and listening skills.
3
Operational &
Programme
Management
Proven track record in delivering multiple programmes or projects successfully, including planning, stakeholder reporting, and evaluation. Proficient in Microsoft Office (Word, Excel, PowerPoint) and comfortable using IT systems for reporting and project management. Strong operational and financial acumen, with experience managing budgets and resources.
4
Communication & Collaboration
Ability to collaborate effectively with peers to align on goals and jointly plan for coordinated programme delivery. Strong communication skills to build trust, resolve conflicts, and manage misaligned expectations. Proven ability to foster positive working relationships across teams.
5
Problem Solving & Initiative
Demonstrates ability to analyse data, solve problems, and contribute to strategic planning. Self-starter with good administrative skills and the ability to manage competing priorities.
6
'Other'
You must hold a clean, current driving licence with access to own transport. Valid permission to work in Ireland.
Core Competencies
Desirable
· Senior management level experience in a similar/same organisation.
· External experience on community based committees/boards et al.
* A recognised Third Level qualification in Community Development / Social Inclusion / Youth, etc
* A minimum of three years' experience of Community Development
* Knowledge of department Reporting System IRIS and/or other bespoke governmental systems.
APPLICATION
To apply for this position, please submit by email, a Letter of Application together with current Curriculum Vitae and clearly outline how you meet the criteria for the role, to:
* Applications arrive no later than 5pm, Wednesday 14th January 2026.
* Shortlisting will be based on information provided on application; therefore, it is essential to outline how you meet the required criteria. No applications will be accepted post deadline.
* Competency based selection interview & presentation will take place between 22-29 January 2026
We reserve the right to amend the shortlisting criteria. A panel may be formed from which similar vacancies could be filled. Please note that canvassing will disqualify applicants.
DLDC is an equal opportunities employer and is committed to ensuring that no applicant is treated less favourably on the grounds of race, gender, civil status, family status, age, disability, religion, sexual orientation, or membership of the Traveller Community. Please contact HR if you require accommodations during the recruitment process. Examples of accommodations we can provide include: Adjustments to interview/format (e.g., information on accessibility to the office, virtual interview); Extra time for assessment; Use of assistive technologies or materials in alternative formats; Flexible scheduling or breaks during interviews, etc.
Job Type: Full-time
Pay: €52,000.00 per year
Benefits:
* Company pension
* Employee assistance program
* On-site parking
Work Location: In person