Officer Product and Regional Development, Ireland’s Ancient East

Key Details:

Location: Cork 

*The current vacancy is based in Cork.

A panel will also be established from this competition to fill future vacancies that may arise in Dublin, Mullingar or Waterford.

Contract: Full-time, Permanent

Salary: €58,528 – €83,697 (starting at the first point of the scale)

Closing date: Thursday, 12 November 2026 at 3pm

Fáilte Ireland invites applications for the position of Officer, Ireland’s Ancient East. The role will report to a Manager Product and Regional Development. At a destination level, the successful candidate will be responsible for delivering projects which help deliver on the objectives of the Ireland’s Ancient East Regional Tourism Development Strategy and associated local Destination and Experience Development Plan. 

Job Purpose: 

The role will deliver manage product development investment projects and destination development projects to drive increased tourism revenue and seasonal extension The successful candidate will also manage local stakeholders and support tourism enterprises in their development.

Primary Objectives/Key Responsibilities

Destination and Experience Development Plan (DEDP) Delivery

• Implementation of Destination and Experience Development Plans (DEDPs) across the Ireland’s Ancient region to deliver on objectives set out in the Fáilte Ireland Corporate Strategy and Ireland’s Ancient East Regional Tourism Development Strategy at a local level. 
• Translate key strategic development priorities for the Ireland’s Ancient East into actionable plans and deliverables at destination level to drive sustainable economic growth. 
• Coordinate project activities, timelines and stakeholder inputs, monitor milestones and escalate risks. 
• Contribute to the completion of needs analysis and implement activity to develop the destination and drive visitor appeal according to relevant market segments. 
• Support visitor experiences to seek innovative approaches to leverage opportunities, adapting to changing market conditions. 

Investment Programme & Scheme Delivery 

• Support the rollout of Fáilte Ireland investment schemes and identify projects that meet regional objectives. 
• Manage multiple investment projects including management of cash flow, drawdown deadlines and navigate an effective path to deliver agreed KPIs. 

Stakeholder Engagement 

• Maintain relationships with tourism businesses and public stakeholders. 
• Deliver development programmes to industry clusters and networks to drive regional growth 
• Develop and harness industry and destination networks to actively collaborate to gain buy-in and commitment on project priorities and areas of focus.
• Identify themes and experiences and work with stakeholders and businesses (both individually and through clusters/networks) to develop & enhance their tourism offering. 
• Ensure communication internally and externally is consistent, timely and relevant. 

Corporate Programme Delivery

• Coordinate with colleagues across Fáilte Ireland functions to help align experience development, industry development, and marketing and sales activation at destination level, in line with identified destination needs. 
• Contribute to programme delivery plans by identifying regional needs and opportunities, tracking uptake and spend, and supporting outcome reporting. 

Governance & Reporting 

• Comply with all relevant organisational policies, procedures and governance requirements in the delivery of assigned work. 
• Monitor progress against assigned tasks, plans and timelines, highlighting risks, issues or delays to the relevant manager in a timely manner. 
• Prepare accurate updates, information, reports or analysis as required to support decision-making, planning and delivery within the area. 
• Apply agreed processes for risk, budget, procurement, expenditure and records management within the scope of the role. 
• Use relevant data, evidence and insights to support planning, reporting, evaluation and continuous improvement. 
• Ensure assigned programme, project or operational activity is delivered in line with Fáilte Ireland policy, public sector obligations and delegated authority. 

Carry out all other duties as required and participate as a full member of the Ireland’s Ancient East team by supporting other work and projects as required from time to time. 

Please note that travel is required as part of this role. Flexible working hours may also be a requirement, as the job requires working outside 9-5 at times. 

Person Specification: 

• Applicants must meet the essential criteria and demonstrate, through relevant examples in their application, the key competencies outlined below. 

Essential Criteria:

In order to be eligible to apply for this role you must have / demonstrate in your application form the following:

• A minimum of three years’ relevant professional experience in destination development, investment programme management, tourism development, or a related area.
• Experience in commercial decision making based on insight and metrics
• Experience in managing multiple complex stakeholders to reach consensus
• Experience in managing multiple complex work programmes while working on projects led by others
• Experience in translating organisational strategy into delivery projects
• Access to own means of transport/valid driving licence (Regular travel is required as a core part of the role within the region and throughout Ireland)
• A professional qualification (min level 6 under the QQI framework) in a related discipline

Desirable Requirements:

• Experience in tourism experience development, destination development or investment in tourism product

Key Competencies

• Commercial Awareness 
• Managing Relationships 
• Planning and Managing Work 
• Strategic Thinking 

Office Location and Blended Working:

We do not ask for addresses as part of the application process, however it is the responsibility of the candidate to acknowledge the base location of the role. The successful candidate must regularly work from and attend the base office location of the role.

Please note: Remote working from outside the State is not permitted other than in exceptional circumstances. As this role is within the Irish public service, the post-holder must carry out a minimum of 80% of their working time within the State (Republic of Ireland). Candidates who reside in Northern Ireland must be able to meet this requirement.

• This role requires travel, with attendance at a number of national and regional locations / sites on an annual basis.
• Flexible working hours may also be a requirement, as the job requires working outside 9-5 at times. 

Selection Process:

Shortlisting will be based on applications and the selection process may involve two competency based interviews. A panel of successful candidates may be formed following the selection process.

Interview Attendance Requirement:

Candidates must be available to attend an in-person interview at the location and date specified by Fáilte Ireland. Please note that the location of the interview may vary from the base location of the role.

The Annual Leave allowance for this post is 27 days.