Ref 644: Director, Grade 4 - National Skills Observatory

SOLAS, the Further Education and Training Authority of Ireland, was established on 27 October 2013 and its mission is to fund, co\-ordinate and monitor a range of Further Education and Training (FET) provisions that is responsive to the needs of learners and employers. It is an agency of the recently formed Department of Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science. SOLAS works in close collaboration with Education and Training Boards (ETBs) across Ireland on provision of high\-quality further education and training, equipping learners with relevant skills and knowledge, and providing a pipeline of talent into employment and to the Irish economy and society.

At SOLAS, we put the learner, employers and communities, which FET serves, at the heart of everything we do. Working with sister agencies, SOLAS leads actions in key policy and strategy documents including the most recent Further Education and Training (FET) Strategy 2026 – 2030, the evaluation of the Green Skills Strategy , the National Skills Strategy 2025 and the People Strategy 2020\-2024 and others.

SOLAS is seeking to recruit a suitably experienced leader to serve as the inaugural Director of the National Skills Observatory. This is a newly established senior leadership position responsible for developing, leading and growing the National Skills Observatory as a nationally recognised centre of excellence for skills intelligence and labour market analysis.

The Director will lead the establishment of the NSO, oversee the development of its data infrastructure, research programme and stakeholder relationships, and ensure the organisation delivers high\-quality, timely and trusted intelligence to support policy and investment decisions across the skills ecosystem.

The Director will work across the further and higher education sectors and engage with government departments, enterprise agencies, employers, education providers and international bodies to position the NSO as Ireland's authoritative source of skills and labour market intelligence.

This senior management role will lead a multidisciplinary team, developed on a phased basis, with responsibility for research, data, digital dissemination, stakeholder engagement and the effective operation of the National Skills Observatory.

This is a permanent position for which the salary scale ranges from €108,152 to €133,775 per annum (inclusive of two long service increments) for a 35\-hour week. Starting pay will be at the minimum point of the scale as per Government Circular E100/8/82\. Exceptional circumstances may apply for candidates with current service in the Civil/Public service.

SOLAS offers an excellent benefit package including a contributory pension scheme and the opportunity for further training and development.

Applications, using the SOLAS Application Form, quoting reference number 644, should be e\-mailed to recruitment@solas.ie. Please complete the application form as specified. CVs will not be accepted.

The closing date is Wednesday, 30 September 2026 at 12:00pm (Noon)

644 Role Specification

SOLAS, Castleforbes Road, Dublin 1 D01 A8N0 is the base location for this post. A Blended Working policy is in place, and an arrangement is available to request with this role, a minimum requirement of 2 days per week in the office (Castleforbes House, Dublin 1\). One of the days being the SOLAS Anchor Day \- Wednesday.

The use of AI throughout your recruitment process is limited. To understand more, see our AI Usage Guidelines.

Please note that as a public sector employee, you must reside in the Irish jurisdiction to avail of blended working, and in accordance with Department Public Expenditure and Reform (DPENDR) requirements, you must be available to attend in person if and when required.

SOLAS is an equal opportunity employer. SOLAS welcomes people with diverse and underrepresented backgrounds to apply. If you need assistance or a reasonable accommodation throughout the recruitment process, please reach out to us on recruitment@solas.ie. Canvassing will disqualify.

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