Research Manager, HEO

About This Role

Role Purpose

This role represents an exciting opportunity to deliver high-quality research in support of An Coimisiún's strategic objectives, including children, democracy, diversity & inclusion, Irish media and culture, trust, and public safety. This position is critical to ensuring timely, accurate, and impactful research outputs, which contribute to evidence-based regulation and policy development.

In the Research and Strategy team, Research Managers will be required to lead and coordinate research projects. You will be responsible for ensuring timely project execution; guiding research scoping, design and implementation; embedding quality assurance (QA) processes, and delivering high-quality reports, briefs, and presentations.

The Research Manager role in An Coimisiún is a middle management role at Higher Executive Officer level. As such it has significant managerial responsibilities. Higher Executive Officers are expected to contribute actively to the realisation of the organisation’s strategic objectives and to the continuous improvement of the organisation in terms of its effectiveness and efficiency. They are also expected to demonstrate behaviours consistent with the organisation's culture, values, and reputation.

About the Team

The Research and Strategy team conducts and commissions research to enhance our understanding of the media landscape; to support evidence-based policy development, programme design and decision making; and to inform ourselves and stakeholders on how best to serve the public interest. The team also leads the development and implementation of An Coimisiún’s organisation strategy, and the process of monitoring and reporting on its delivery.

Key Responsibilities

• Coordinating and managing research projects across all phases, from design and piloting through sampling, data collection, analysis, reporting, and dissemination. Projects may employ qualitative, quantitative or mixed-methods approaches.
• Analysing and interpreting data using appropriate methods and software to generate useful insights in support of evidence-based policy development.
• Producing high-quality research outputs, including reports, briefs, and presentations, tailored to meet the needs of a range of audiences.
• Disseminating research to key internal and external stakeholders, accounting for audience needs, to drive research uptake.
• Managing procurement and commissioning of third-parties to undertake research on behalf of the organisation. Managing contracts to ensure deliverables are met to a high standard.
• Supporting the development and/or implementation of processes and procedures in research methods, information management, ethics and data governance.

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

• At least 3 years of relevant work experience.
• Experience in scoping, designing and delivering research projects using at least one of qualitative, quantitative or mixed methods.
• Strong analytical skills and proficiency in appropriate research methods and software.
• Excellent written and oral communication skills, including the ability to present complex findings clearly to internal and external stakeholders.
• Well-developed interpersonal skills with the ability to build relationships with internal and external stakeholders.
• Ability to work independently and collaboratively as part of a team.
• Strong project management and organisational skills, with the ability to prioritise and meet deadlines.

Desirable Criteria

• A relevant academic or professional qualification with a significant research methods component.
• Experience in media, communications, or other research areas relevant to the work of An Coimisiún.
• Experience in commissioning and managing third parties to deliver high-quality research.
• Strong statistical analysis skills with proficiency in at least one statistical software package (e.g. R, Python, Stata, Excel).
• Previous experience in a similar role in the public sector.
• Fluency in or working knowledge of the Irish language.

Key Information

Benefits, Package & Pay

• This position is offered on a Permanent basis.
• Full time, 35 hrs per week
• Annual Leave: 29 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 Higher Executive Officer scale.
• Successful candidates will be appointed on the first point of the scale.

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.

Late applications or applications not received through the correct channel, as indicated above, will not be considered.​

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

ReasonableAccommodations​

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: 3pm 27th November 2025