Human Resource Manager

The Role

HR Managers in the Civil Service may work in one of many Government Departments/Offices across a range of HR functions including HR Operations & Recruitment, HR Business Partnering, Learning & Development, Wellbeing & Equality Diversity and Inclusion (EDI), Organisation Design and Development, AI & Workforce Analytics, HR Policy and Employment & Industrial Relations. The successful candidates will play a role in strategically leading, transforming and modernising HR practices within their organisations.

As set out at Appendix 1, HR Managers (Assistant Principal Officers) are senior civil servants and will typically report to the Head of HR (Principal Officer) within a Department/Organisation, and depending on the size of the department, may be one of a number of roles at this level with responsibility for different areas within the HR function.

Successful candidates will be expected to demonstrate strategic leadership qualities and well developed management and organisational skills, with the ability to manage and develop teams and people. They will also be expected to be strong relationship builders with colleagues, business area leaders and stakeholders alike across their own and other organisations, and have the ability to apply judgement and flexibility in a challenging and dynamic environment.

Key Duties and Responsibilities of the Role

While the precise duties of the role will vary depending on the organisation, the following is an overview of the key duties and responsibilities of a Civil Service HR Manager:

• Lead the development and delivery of HR strategy aligned to organisational goals;

• Manage, develop and build capability within the HR team;

• Position HR as a trusted strategic partner and centre of expertise;

• Build and strengthen strategic workforce planning capability;

• Support modern, flexible and agile ways of working;

• Leverage workforce data, HR analytics, digital tools and AI to inform decision-making and enhance HR service delivery;

• Provide expert, best-practice HR advice to managers and senior leaders;

• Foster a high-performance, values-driven organisational culture;

• Lead recruitment, retention, performance and talent management strategies;

• Drive equality, diversity and inclusion initiatives to support an inclusive culture;

• Develop and implement organisational learning and skills development programmes;

• Strengthen people management capability across the organisation;

• Drive continuous improvement and quality assurance in HR service delivery;

• Manage employee and industrial relations, ensuring compliance with legislation and policy;

• Embed Civil Service values and ethical standards across the workplace.

Please note: The above is a general guide to the key duties and responsibilities of the role and is not an exhaustive description. Other duties and responsibilities appropriate to the role may be assigned from time to time.

Working Environment

Blended working arrangements may be accessed in line with the Civil Service Blended Working Policy Framework and subject to the blended working policy of the employing Government Department/Office.

Training and Development

The Civil Service is committed to supporting HR professionals to build and sustain rewarding, progressive careers in line with the Civil Service People Standards Framework. A robust Performance Management and Development System (PMDS) is in place to support ongoing performance, growth and career progression. Continuous Professional Development (CPD) is actively encouraged, with access to a wide range of learning and development opportunities, including targeted training programmes and professional courses designed to strengthen capability across the HR function.

In addition, opportunities to engage with the wider professional community are facilitated, ensuring HR professionals remain connected to emerging trends and best practice. This strong focus on structured development and professional growth enables individuals to deepen their expertise, broaden their experience and progress confidently along clearly defined career pathways within the Civil Service HR profession.

Location of Vacancies and panel

It is envisaged that the majority of vacancies filled from this competition will be in the Greater Dublin area. Such vacancies may arise in Government Departments/Offices, or in an ‘agency’ of a Government Department, nationwide.

Candidates who are successful in this competition will be placed on a panel, in an order of merit. Vacancies that may arise for HR management roles will be filled from this panel during its lifetime.

It is not expected that appointments will be made from this competition after March 2028.

Positions requiring specialist Irish language skills

The Civil Service is fully committed to fulfilling its obligations under the Official Languages Act. It is intended that vacancies arising which require staff to provide a full range of services through the Irish language (Functional Bilinguals), may be filled from this competition. In this regard individuals who have proficiency in the Irish language and who fulfil all other eligibility criteria set out below may indicate their interest on the application form.

Candidates who indicate their interest and who are successful at the final selection stages will be required to undergo certain assessments through Irish, e.g. interview and/or written test, prior to being considered for such a position. They must achieve the required level in the Irish language, i.e. demonstrate a minimum Level B2 on the Europass self-assessment framework.

Benefits

As well as a rewarding and challenging career, some of the benefits the Civil Service offers Human Resource Managers are:

• Regular opportunities for promotion through internal, inter-departmental and open competitions;

• Competitive salary with yearly increments for satisfactory performance;

• Public Sector pension;

• 30 days of annual leave;

• Hours of attendance: 41 hours and 15 minutes gross per week;

• Subject to business needs and a satisfactory probationary period:

o Flexible working with a commitment to work-life balance and a family-friendly workplace (including work-sharing arrangements and a wide variety of special leave options);

o Access to Shorter Working Year Scheme;

o Facility to apply for career breaks;

o Learning and development opportunities, including access to a refund of course fees scheme, paid study leave and paid examination leave.

• Cycle to work scheme;

• Tax saver public transport pass;

• Access to Public Service Credit Union.

Key Information: HR Managers in the Civil Service

Salary Range: €83,113 to €103,576 (LSI 2)

Annual Leave: 30 days

Hours of attendance: 41 hours and 15 minutes gross per week

The Principal Conditions of Service applicable to the role, including details of the pay scale and incremental points, and Eligibility to Compete and Certain Restrictions on Eligibility applicable to the role, including citizenship requirements, are accessible on the job listing.

Competition Closing Date: Your application must be submitted on the publicjobs website not later than 3pm on Thursday, 10th September 2026.