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Role Profile
Job Title: Programme Lead: Cost Management - Capital Projects
Division/Function: NDFA
Reports to (job title): Deputy Director, Head of Design, Planning and Procurement
Job Family: Project Management
Career Stream: Professional
Career Zone: Professional
Closing Date for Applications : 12th of May 2026
Summary Of The Business
The National Treasury Management Agency (NTMA) provides asset and liability management services to the Irish Government. Businesses managed by the NTMA include borrowing for the Exchequer and the management of the National Debt, the New Economy and Recovery Authority (NewERA), the National Development Finance Agency (NDFA), the Ireland Strategic Investment Fund, the Future Ireland Funds and the State Claims Agency. The NTMA also assigns staff to the National Asset Management Agency, the Strategic Banking Corporation of Ireland and Home Building Finance Ireland.
The NDFA provides financial advice to State authorities on infrastructure projects with a capital value over €75 million and is also responsible for the delivery of Public Private Partnership (PPP) projects for State authorities (with certain exceptions such as Transport Infrastructure Ireland). In addition, the NDFA provides asset management services in respect of the operation and maintenance of PPP facilities. It also delivers Exchequer Funded capital projects on behalf of certain State authorities, including the Department of Education and Youth and certain local authorities. Following the publication of the Government’s Accelerating Infrastructure Report and Action Plan, the NDFA also provides support and assistance to Government Departments and Agencies on major capital infrastructure projects.
Role Summary
The NDFA is seeking to recruit a Programme Lead to oversee the commercial and cost management processes throughout the project development and delivery stages, from initial business case development through pre-procurement, procurement, delivery and operational stages of large-scale Government infrastructure programmes, including the provision of support and assistance to Government Departments and Agencies across various sectors.
This is a senior professional role with leadership and management responsibilities. The successful candidate will be expected to demonstrate excellent commercial and cost management expertise in the field of infrastructure project preparation, procurement and delivery. The ability to engage with stakeholders and counterparties and to lead and develop teams are key aspects of the role.
Key Responsibilities
Building and maintaining strong stakeholder relationships with internal and external parties, ensuring that NDFA/NTMA standards, integrity and reputation are upheld.
Monitoring construction costs and market conditions, including supply chain dynamics and construction price inflation to assess impacts on project budgets.
Monitoring Government policy and targets relating to the National Development Plan, including regulatory changes and providing guidance on compliance and risk management.
Preparing accurate and timely reports on market trends, cost projections, risk assessments and commercial recommendations for internal and client stakeholders.
Managing project cost advisers in preparation of construction, maintenance, lifecycle and risk cost plans, and the preparation of tender documentation and tender evaluation analyses in line with public procurement requirements.
Implementing appropriate cost standards (e.g. ICMS) and measures on each programme/project to optimise value management and value engineering using recognised methodologies for cost benefit analysis, risk assessment and whole life costing.
Developing and maintaining comparative benchmark cost models to support robust cost assurance, challenge and value‑for‑money assessments across projects and programmes.
Managing cost control and commercial assurance processes, including the review of payment applications, claims, variations, commercial disputes and other contract‑related cost matters.
Working with project management, financial advisory teams and advisers to maintain strong governance structures, including chairing commercial and cost‑related meetings and representing the NDFA at key internal and external meetings.
Contributing to advisory assignments under the NDFA’s Accelerating Infrastructure Report and Action Plan mandate, including preparing inputs for preliminary and detailed business cases and other project documentation required under the Government Infrastructure Guidelines and the Capital Works Management Framework.
Preparing reports, recommendations, presentations and board papers on cost and commercial matters, including advising on procurement and contracting strategies.
Qualifications/Knowledge
Third level honours degree (or equivalent) or higher in quantity surveying, engineering, project management or construction costs management related discipline.
Relevant subject matter post graduate qualification(s) desirable.
Chartered membership of a relevant professional body is desirable.
Deep understanding of construction economics, market drivers, cost management methodologies and whole lifecycle value principles across the full lifecycle of capital projects.
Expertise in value engineering, value management, and options evaluation.
Knowledge of key issues and management strategies associated with climate change/sustainability, environmental, social and governance factors on large scale building projects.
Experience
A minimum of 12 years relevant cost management experience relating to the delivery of major building or infrastructure projects.
Experience in all cost management areas; developing construction and whole life cost plans, value engineering and risk management processes.
Experience of managing project budgets, design, capital expenditure, operational expenditure including change control, value engineering and risk management processes.
Experience of leading commercial negotiations, claims management and dispute resolution.
Recent experience working with major forms of public sector contracts (e.g., Government Construction Contracts Committee forms of contract) and/or of working in privately financed (PPP or Project Finance Initiative) projects.
Experience of leading and managing in-house and external project teams.
Experience of implementing and managing corporate or programme cost management systems and processes.
Experience providing advisory services related to cost and commercial management to major infrastructure clients.
Skills
Excellent team leadership and project management skills.
Excellent collaboration and stakeholder management skills.
Highly innovative, commercially minded with strong analytical and decision‑making skills.
Excellent communications (written, oral and presentation) skills.
An ability to handle multiple projects simultaneously, deal with conflicting agendas and meet deadlines.
Ability to interpret and forecast market trends, inflation, supply chain pressures, labour dynamics, and materials pricing.
Strong commercial acumen for procurement strategy, tender evaluation, and contract negotiations.
Ability to lead cost control, change management, and reporting for major capital projects or programmes.
Full clean driving licence.
Working at the NTMA offers excellent benefits including
Flexible work options including hybrid working and variable work hours.
An extensive wellbeing programme.
Excellent learning and development opportunities that allow for full career development within the organisation.
A diverse range of initiatives: LGBT+, Gender Matters, Disability Advocacy, Sports & Social, Volunteering and lots more.
Reimbursement of annual professional membership fees.
Career Average Defined Benefit Pension Scheme.
The NTMA is proud to be an equal opportunities employer. We recognise that a diverse and inclusive workplace informs better decision making, creative thinking, innovation and drives business performance. We are strongly committed to ensuring that our workforce is representative of our society.
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