Research Manager, Higher Executive Officer

About This Role

Role Purpose

The Research Manager (Higher Executive Officer) in An Coimisiún is a middle management role with significant managerial responsibilities. As a Higher Executive Officer, you will be responsible for overseeing and managing projects, processes, and reporting. Managers are expected to contribute actively to the implementation of the organisation’s strategic objectives, to the continuous improvement of the organisation in terms of its effectiveness and efficiency, and to demonstrate behaviours consistent with the organisation's culture, values, and reputation.

In the Research and Strategy team, Research Managers will be required to lead and coordinate efforts across their team, ensuring timely project execution, guiding research design and implementation, embedding quality assurance (QA) processes, and delivering reports, briefs, and presentations. They will manage projects, along with external third parties (research agencies, academics, consultants), and will actively drive research uptake amongst internal and external stakeholders.

About the Team

The mission of the Research and Strategy team is to undertake research to inform all functions of the organisation; and to design and coordinate the processes by which the organisational strategy is developed and implemented and by which strategy implementation is monitored and reported on. The team undertakes research and strategy work in-house, and commissions and oversees third-parties to undertake work on behalf of An Coimisiún, as required.

Key Responsibilities

• Scoping, designing and delivering research studies including development of research questions, identifying necessary resources, managing research ethics requirements, study recruitment, creation of research tools, data collection and analysis, interpreting quantitative and qualitative data, and reporting.
• Managing procurement, and commissioning third-parties to undertake research on behalf of the organisation. Contract management to ensure deliverables are met to a high standard.
• Undertaking information gathering and synthesis to inform internal divisions and strategy development and implementation.
• Writing reports, briefs, and presentations to a high standard, and driving research uptake.
• Disseminating research to key internal and external stakeholders, accounting for audience needs.
• Collaborating with internal teams to develop, maintain, and update research and reporting best practices.

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, with a minimum of 1 year of line management experience;
• Experience in research design, creation of research tools (e.g. surveys and discussion guides), analysis, and reporting;
• Excellent written communication skills in a variety of forms including presentations, strategy documents, correspondence, and reports Demonstrated experience of report writing for external audiences;
• A good understanding of data protection obligations, GDPR and associated processes and documentation;
• A good understanding of research ethics and experience of applying ethical principles in a research context;
• Strong interpretation skills with ability to distil complex information and disseminate to key internal and external stakeholders;
• Adaptability and an appetite to learn new techniques and applications;
• Excellent planning and organisational skills, and the ability to prioritise effectively and manage a significant and diverse workload, and to adapt where necessary;
• Well-developed interpersonal skills with the ability to build relationships with many different stakeholders;
• Ability to work on own initiative as well as within project teams;
• Strong IT and project management skills.

Desirable Criteria

• Experience in commissioning research and managing third-parties to deliver high-quality research;
• Qualification in, or including, research design and methodology;
• Previous experience in a related role, including in a research management, research support, policy development or library and information support role;
• Previous experience in a similar role in the public sector;
• Fluency in or a working knowledge of the Irish language.

Key Information

Benefits, Package & Pay

• This position is offered on an 18-month fixed-term 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

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: Tuesday 12th August 2025 at 3pm