Job title:
Chief Executive Officer
Employer:
Inland Fisheries Ireland
Location:
Dublin
Closing Date:
13th November 2025
Salary:
Starting at €168,138
About the Employer:
Inland Fisheries Ireland (IFI) is the State agency responsible for the conservation, protection and management of our inland fisheries and sea angling resources.
The founding legislation for the organisation is the Inland Fisheries Ireland Act 2010, with its functions outlined under Section 7.
This valuable resource includes 74,000 kilometres of rivers and streams, 128,000 hectares of lakes and over 5,500 kilometres of coastline and the varied fish species nurture and sustain.
Inland Fisheries Ireland is the competent authority in all matters relating to our inland fisheries resource and carries out extensive survey and research work to manage and sustain the resource in accordance with best practice. Environmental supervision and the legal enforcement of legislation in this area also fall within the remit of the organisation.
Inland Fisheries Ireland has its headquarters in Citywest, Dublin and operates nationally through 7 regional operational districts (Galway, Ballina, Ballyshannon, Limerick, Macroom, Clonmel and Dublin).
About the Role:
Inland Fisheries Ireland (IFI) seeks suitable applicants for the position of Chief Executive Officer (CEO).
Reporting to the Chairperson of the Board of Inland Fisheries Ireland, the CEO is responsible with the Board for setting the strategic direction of the organisation in line with the mission, vision and values.
The CEO is responsible for delivering on the defined objectives and statutory requirements within the framework developed under the Inland Fisheries Ireland Act 2010.
The current Corporate (Strategic) Plan of IFI will conclude in 2025 and the CEO, working with the Board, will play a pivotal role in driving the implementation of the next five-year plan.
This next phase in the evolution of Inland Fisheries Ireland will pose significant leadership challenges to mitigate the ever‑increasing pressures on fish species and aquatic habitats by climate change, declining water quality, infrastructural developments, over‑exploitation and changing farming practices.
The ever‑growing emphasis and focus on catchment management, conservation and preservation rather than exploitation will necessitate changed work practices and a corresponding reallocation of resources.
The national Water Action Plan Barriers Programme and responding to the Nature Protection Law are two examples of evolving work programmes for IFI that reflect this growing emphasis.
The primary responsibility for effectively leading and communicating with staff and communities in this changing, critical and challenging realignment will rest with the CEO and his/her Executive Leadership Team (5 persons).
In addition, it is clear that stakeholder collaboration (incl. representatives' groups, central government and public bodies) is essential to delivering on IFIs mission: to this end the CEO has a key role in leading advocacy and partnering initiatives as are necessary to deliver IFIs strategic objectives.
About You:
The competencies that have been developed for this role are set out below.
In addition, the successful candidate will be expected to demonstrate the following:
A proven record of achievement at a senior level in the private or public sector that demonstrates the vision, leadership, oversight and management skills necessary for the role;
Substantial relevant experience in corporate governance in the public or private sector;
Proven ability and significant experience in leading, delivering, and managing successful organisational change;
An understanding of the role of Inland Fisheries Ireland and the environment in which it operates, or the ability to quickly gain such understanding, together with knowledge of the legislative framework in which IFI operates;
Be a person with credibility, recognised either publicly or within their own professional area as an individual of proven integrity and independence;
Experience of balancing competing and conflicting interests;
Sound judgment and an ability to guide the resolution of difficult and complex issues in a pressurised environment;
Clear motivation, drive, energy and resilience;
Strong results focus, with a personal style that is measured, considered, balanced and informed;
A proven ability to formulate and implement strategy in a dynamic, developing and independent organisation;
A proven ability in delivering and implementing positive and professional cultural norms and behaviours;
A team leader and player, with interpersonal skills appropriate to the demands of the role including a collaborative mindset and strong advocacy and influencing skills;
Well‑developed stakeholder management skills, with an ability to operate credibly in a senior role and an ability to network effectively and develop good working relationships;
Excellent communication skills, including the capacity to represent the organisation in the media and at public fora, nationally and internationally.
The closing date for receipt of completed applications is 3pm on Thursday, 13th November, 2025.
We are committed to a policy of equal opportunity and encourage applications under all nine grounds of the Employment Equality Act.
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