Senior Executive Engineer (Infrastructure)

The Role

The Senior Executive Engineer (Infrastructure) will be responsible for the planning, organisation, and management of the delivery of large-scale civil engineering capital projects and programmes in the areas of Roads and Transportation, Urban Regeneration and Renewal, and Flood Protection.

The successful candidate will support the Management Team as required and will work closely with Elected Members in relation to their reserved functions, including attending and presenting at Council and Committee meetings where necessary. The role may also require the successful candidate to deputise for the Senior Engineer, as appropriate.

The Senior Executive Engineer (Infrastructure) duties include, but are not limited to, the following:

• Managing all aspects of project delivery, including the development of project briefs, feasibility studies, option appraisal, design development, planning and statutory approval processes, procurement, construction contract management, project reporting, quality assurance, financial management and, where necessary, dispute resolution processes.
• Ensuring compliance with all relevant statutory, regulatory, and legislative requirements in the delivery of capital projects, including requirements relating to planning, design, procurement, health and safety, environmental obligations, and construction.
• Managing the preparation and development of business cases in accordance with the Public Spending Code and relevant funding requirements.
• Procuring and managing multidisciplinary design teams and external consultants for capital projects and overseeing the effective delivery of all project stages from feasibility and design through to statutory consents, tendering, construction, and project close-out/review.
• Managing public consultation and stakeholder engagement processes, including liaison with local communities, representative groups, statutory bodies, and other key stakeholders. This may involve attendance at meetings and events outside normal working hours.
• Developing and maintaining effective working relationships with Government Departments, State Agencies, and external organisations to ensure coordination and cooperation in the implementation of infrastructure programmes and strategic objectives.
• Working collaboratively with Elected Members and Council staff to support the successful delivery of new and upgraded infrastructure and public services.
• Managing the administration of contracts for construction and related professional services in accordance with public procurement requirements and contract management best practice.
• Leading and promoting innovation, continuous improvement, knowledge sharing, and the development of best practice in the delivery of capital projects and technical services across the organisation.
• Building and leading effective multidisciplinary teams, including managing staff performance and development, maintaining positive employee relations and, where necessary, addressing industrial relations matters in accordance with relevant policies, procedures, and legislation.
• Preparing and managing budgets, ensuring projects are delivered within approved financial allocations and ensuring the accurate and timely drawdown of funding from Government Departments and external agencies.
• Maintaining accurate and comprehensive records in paper, electronic, and GIS/map-based formats relating to projects, programmes, and associated works.
• Promoting and maintaining a strong culture of health and safety, ensuring compliance with Health and Safety legislation, regulations, and the Council’s Corporate Health and Safety Management Systems.
• Contributing to the identification, development, and implementation of strategic objectives, policies, and priorities, including relevant actions contained within the Council’s Annual Service Delivery Plan and other corporate strategies.

Essential Requirements

The Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage has declared that the qualifications for Senior Executive Engineer are as set out hereunder.

Character

Each candidate must be of good character.

Health

Candidates shall be in a state of health such as would indicate a reasonable prospect of ability to render regular and efficient service.

Education, Experience, Etc.

Candidates shall, on the latest date for receipt of completed applications:

(a)

(i) Hold an honours bachelor's degree (Level 8 on the National Framework of Qualifications (NFQ)) in Engineering accredited at CEng or CEng with FL level by Engineers Ireland*;

OR

(ii) Hold an ordinary bachelor's degree (Level 7 on the National Framework of Qualifications (NFQ)) in Engineering and a postgraduate master's degree (Level 9 on the National Framework of Qualifications (NFQ)) in Engineering;

OR

(iii) Hold a master's degree (Level 9 on the National Framework of Qualifications (NFQ)) in Engineering attained after completing an integrated master's level programme of at least four years' duration and which is accredited at CEng level by Engineers Ireland or an equivalent accreditation body internationally;

OR

(iv) Have achieved the registered professional title of Chartered Engineer and be registered on the Register of Chartered Engineers of Engineers Ireland or of a professional institute of another country recognised by Engineers Ireland as of equivalent status.

(b) Have at least seven years' satisfactory relevant experience of engineering work.

(c) Possess a high standard of technical training and experience.

(d) Possess a high standard of administrative and management experience.

(e) Have a satisfactory knowledge of public service organisation or the ability to acquire such knowledge.

Criteria for Evaluating Qualifications for Senior Executive Engineer and Above

When determining if a candidate’s qualifications can be deemed equivalent to a Level 8 degree in Engineering, the following criteria will be considered:

• How has your degree been accredited by Engineers Ireland, or an equivalent accreditation body internationally? Degrees accredited at CEng or CEng with FL level by Engineers Ireland will be understood as a Level 8 qualification. For international qualifications, consideration will be given to the NARIC Framework and Washington Accord, as appropriate.
• Is the degree at Level 8 on the NFQ scale? Where candidates have achieved their degree in other jurisdictions, the level of the qualification will be determined using the NARIC Ireland Foreign Qualification database.
• Does the degree contain the level and volume of Engineering modules as would be expected in a Level 8 degree in Engineering? At least 80% of the modules covered in the degree should be focused on Engineering, and the degree should be underpinned by mathematics and the core science subjects.

The Ideal Candidate Shall Have the Following Skills and Experience

• Good experience in effectively directing, leading, and supporting individuals and multidisciplinary teams in the delivery of major capital infrastructure projects.
• Strong stakeholder engagement skills, including experience in securing cooperation, collaboration, and consensus among a range of statutory bodies, agencies, representative groups, and other stakeholders.
• Good knowledge and understanding of public procurement processes and procedures, particularly the Capital Works Management Framework (CWMF) and the Public Spending Code.
• Experience in preparing project briefs and carrying out project assessments and appraisals.
• Demonstrated ability to procure and manage consultant and contractor engagements and to effectively oversee the delivery of associated services and works on time and within budget.
• Experience in preparing and delivering updates, presentations, and reports, responding constructively to feedback, and applying lessons learned to support continuous improvement within the organisation.
• Experience in analysing patterns of demand and activity, together with the organisational and planning skills required to effectively programme and schedule works and resources.
• Good knowledge and awareness of statutory Health and Safety obligations, including the implications for both the organisation and employees, and their practical application within the workplace.
• Excellent interpersonal, communication, and influencing skills, together with a strong work ethic and a proactive approach to advancing projects and organisational objectives.
• Excellent negotiation skills, including experience and capability in dispute avoidance and dispute resolution relating to public works contracts.
• Good general ICT skills relevant to the role.
• A proven track record of delivering results, with the ability to work effectively under pressure and meet demanding deadlines.
• A good working knowledge of, or the ability to quickly acquire knowledge of, the legal, regulatory, and governance framework within which Cork City Council operates, together with adherence to corporate policies, procedures, and protocols.
• Proven competence in the areas of Strategic Management and Change, Delivering Results, Performance Through People, and Personal Effectiveness.

It Would Be Desirable if the Successful Candidate Had the Following Skills and Experience

• A minimum of five years' relevant post-qualification experience in the delivery of large-scale civil engineering capital projects and/or programmes in the areas of Roads and Transportation, Urban Regeneration and Renewal, and/or Flood Protection.
• Strong technical knowledge and demonstrated experience in the effective management of consultants, contractors, and multidisciplinary teams involved in the delivery of civil engineering public works projects.
• Good knowledge and understanding of public sector funding arrangements, together with experience in financial and budget management, achieving value for money, and managing or resolving contractual and financial disputes where required.
• Good knowledge and understanding of statutory consent processes associated with public infrastructure projects, including planning, environmental considerations, and compulsory land acquisition processes.
• Excellent project management, organisational, communication, and stakeholder engagement skills.
• A full current clean driving licence.
• Knowledge and understanding of Building Information Modelling (BIM) and its application within the design, construction, and asset management lifecycle.

Candidates Must Also

• Have the knowledge and ability to discharge the duties of the post concerned.
• Be suitable on the grounds of character.
• Be suitable in all other relevant respects for appointment to the post concerned.

Candidates, if successful, will not be appointed to the post unless they:

• Agree to undertake the duties attached to the post and accept the conditions under which the duties are, or may be required to be, performed.
• Are fully competent and available to undertake, and fully capable of undertaking, the duties attached to the position.

Each candidate must, on the latest date for receipt of completed application forms, meet the above essential criteria.

The Office

The office is whole-time, permanent, and pensionable.

The holder of the office shall not engage in any gainful occupation, other than as an officer of a local authority, to such an extent as to impair the performance of their duties as an officer of a local authority or in any occupation which might conflict with the interests of the local authority or which might be inconsistent with the discharge of their duties as a local authority officer.

Probation

Where persons who are not already permanent employees of a local authority are appointed, the following provisions shall apply:

(i) There shall be a period after such appointments take effect during which such persons shall hold the position on probation.

(ii) Such period shall be a maximum of 12 months.

(iii) Such persons shall cease to hold the position at the end of the period of probation unless, during such period, the Chief Executive has certified that the service of such persons is satisfactory.

Salary

The salary shall be fully inclusive and shall be as determined from time to time. The holder of the post shall pay to the Local Authority any fees or other monies (other than their inclusive salary) payable to or received by them by virtue of the post or in respect of any services which they are required by or under any enactment to perform.

The salary scale for the position of Senior Executive Engineer (Infrastructure) is:

Salary Scale effective from 1 June 2026:

€80,680 - €83,153 - €84,338 - €86,828 - €89,339 - €91,842 - €94,364 - €97,533 (LSI1) - €100,692 (LSI2)

Salary for the post shall be in accordance with existing practice as set out in relevant circulars.

Starting pay for new entrants will be at the minimum of the scale. Entry point to this scale will be determined in accordance with Circulars issued by the Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage.

In accordance with Departmental Circular Letter EL 02/2011, a person who is not a serving local authority employee on or after 1 January 2011 will enter the scale for the position at the minimum point. The rate of remuneration may be adjusted from time to time in line with Government policy.

Residence

The holder of the office shall reside in the district in which their duties are to be performed or within a reasonable distance thereof.

Start Date

The Local Authority shall require a person to whom an appointment is offered to take up such appointment within a period of not more than three months. If they fail to take up the appointment within such period, or such longer period as the local authority in its absolute discretion may determine, the Local Authority shall not appoint them.