General Counsel, Principal Officer Higher

Coimisiún na Meán Vision and Mission

Coimisiún na Meán is Ireland’s agency for developing and regulating a thriving, diverse, creative, safe and trusted media landscape.

As the independent media regulator, Coimisiún na Meán is responsible for regulating broadcasters, video-on-demand providers and online platforms established in Ireland. Their wide-reaching remit also includes supporting and developing the Irish media sector.

About This Role​

Role Purpose

The General Counsel will ensure that Coimisiún na Meán’s plans, activities and decisions are informed by high-quality solutions-focused assessments of legal issues and risks, so that the Commission can achieve its strategic objectives in the context of a novel legal framework. As a very senior leader, the General Counsel will also contribute to organisational leadership, strategy development and governance taking into account relevant legal issues.

About the Division

The Legal Services Division currently comprises three lawyers at Director and three at Assistant Director level, and a Legal Analyst. It is planned to double the size of the team in coming months, with further growth likely as Coimisiún na Meán develops.

Key Responsibilities

• Develop and oversee the Legal Services Division (LSD)
• Establish processes and working arrangements that enable LSD staff and external legal advisers to contribute effectively to Coimisiún na Meán’s strategy and work plan including prioritising work across the organisation.
• Ensure the quality and usefulness of legal input
• Oversee legal expenditure and high-profile legal work, including litigation
• Represent Coimisiún na Meán externally as appropriate, including with Government Departments, other agencies and the European Commission
• Contribute to organisational leadership and strategy development

The above is intended as a guide to the general range of duties and is intended to be neither definitive nor restrictive and is subject to review.

About You

Experience, Skills, Knowledge & Qualifications

Essential Criteria

Candidates must on or before 21st July 2025 be a qualified barrister or solicitor, or have an equivalent qualification from another EU Member State, or the UK

• At least 10 years of post-qualification experience in a common law jurisdiction
• Senior experience in public law in a regulatory context, gained either in private practice or as in-house counsel, and including litigation experience.
• Experience of managing teams of experienced lawyers, assuring the quality of legal work and developing collaborative and effective ways of working, and in interacting with clients
• Ability to evaluate and communicate legal risk to non-lawyers, and assist the organisation to find ways of achieving its strategic goals balancing legal risk

Desirable Criteria

• Experience of media law and law related to regulation of digital platforms
• Experience of law generally applicable to Irish public bodies, such as FOI, lobbying etc
• Experience instructing external solicitors and barristers
• Budget management experience

Key Information

Benefits, Package & Pay

• This position is offered on a Permanent basis.
• Full time, 35 hrs per week
• Annual Leave: 30 days per annum
• The role will be a hybrid role combining home and office working. Our current hybrid policy is 2 days in the office.
• Our office is located at One Shelbourne Buildings, Shelbourne Road, Dublin 4, D04 NP20.
• For a full list of benefits see our website here​.
• This position is graded at the Principal Officer Higher scale.
• Successful candidates will be appointed on the first point of the scale, currently €112,974 with Director's allowance of €15,513.

Application Process

If you are interested in applying for this position, please submit:

• A CV (max 2 pages) and a Cover letter/personal statement (max 1 page) outlining why you believe your skills, experience and values meet the requirements of the position. ​
• Appointment to this role is subject to the candidate's eligibility to work in Ireland. All positions require candidates to live in the Republic of Ireland or Northern Ireland.
• Candidates who engage in canvassing will be disqualified and excluded from the process

For queries related to the application or selection process related to this role, please contact cnam@cpl.ie

Reasonable Accommodations​

Reasonable accommodations will be provided, if required, during the recruitment process. To discuss and request reasonable accommodations in confidence please contact amckiernan@cnam.ie

Closing Date: Monday, 21st July 2025 at 3pm