Strategic Projects Officer

Strategic Projects Officer

Post Title & Subject Area: NCAD Head of Strategic Development, Global and Partnerships

Grade: Grade VII

Post Duration: 2.5 yearSpecified Purpose Contract linked to TEF Funding, Full-time

Reports to: NCAD Head of Strategic Development, Global and Partnerships

Salary: NCAD Grade VII - €60,611 - €78,795 per annum

Candidates should note that as per Department of Finance guidelines, entry will be at the first point of the salary scale and the rate of remuneration may be adjusted from time to time in line with government pay policy. Candidates should note that different pay and conditions may apply if, immediately prior to appointment, the appointee is a serving civil or public servant.

Annual Leave: Annual Leave will be 29 working days per annum. This leave is exclusive of public holidays.

Hours of Attendance: Working hours will be 35 hours per week (net of rest breaks).

Location: This position is based at NCAD, 100 Thomas Street, Dublin 8

Background

The National College of Art and Design (NCAD) is entering an exciting and significant phase of development, with a number of major initiatives commencing from 2026 onwards. These include the launch of NCAD’s new strategy Create, Challenge, Care, a comprehensive programme of capital renewal, the delivery of a number of large-scale research projects, and the implementation of NCAD’s strategic objectives, supported by the planned expenditure of a key strategic fund.

All of these programmes are supported by Government fundingand are therefore subject to robust public-sector governance, accountability, and compliance requirements. The scale and complexity of these initiatives will require strong governance oversight, risk management and project delivery tools to ensure that NCAD’s strategy and related significant funded projects are meeting their stated objectives and KPI’s and that transparent reporting is in place for CMT, An Bord and the HEA.

This role is a specified purpose role funded by the Targeted Enhancement Fund (TEF), this funding is time-bound and the objectives of the funding are to:

● Provide targeted support for initiatives that are critical to the strategic development of NCAD.

● Contribute towards enhancement initiatives that will strengthen the performance of NCAD.

● To consolidate NCAD's position in the higher education landscape.

● Facilitate the development and/or continuation of initiatives that further national policy and priorities.

Principal Duties and Responsibilities:

Strategic Projects Implementation and Monitoring

● Build of matrix of NCAD strategic projects tracking key outputs and reporting responsibilities

● Oversee the effective implementation of strategic projects and track progress against defined targets.

● Establish a robust performance monitoring framework, including regular progress reviews and reporting cycles.

● Prepare and present comprehensive reports and dashboards for the College Management Team and An Bord, highlighting achievements, challenges, and proposed adjustments.

● Prepare comprehensive reports to the HEA on the Targetted Enhancement Fund, COMPACT and other stakeholder reports as appropriate

● Prepare summary information for presentation to key stakeholders

Annual Planning Cycle

● Support strategic planning teams with the annual planning process to set key goals and targets for the year ahead, developing clear plans that are achievable

● Ongoing engagement across the College at an institutional, school, and departmental level to communicate the goals of the strategy and advise on priorities within the annual plan

● Support strategic project teams to evaluate achievements against plans over the course of the year and recommend adjustments as needed.

Governance and Risk:

● Develop and maintain the risk register for NCAD Strategy and associated projects

● Report to Head of Corporate Services, CMT and ARC with any changes to the risk register and escalate as appropriate risks to the success of the projects

● Maintain a register of approvals and governance oversight for the implementation of the strategy and changes that are required

● Ensure that all strategic projects follow appropriate procurement guidelines

● Liaise with Projects Finance Officer to ensure that accurate financial reports are available in a timely manner for CMT, An Bord and HEA

General support of the College Management Team

● Champion a data-informed culture by promoting the use of data to inform decision-making, identify trends, forecast future needs, and support evidence-based planning.

● Mentor and upskill leaders and teams in strategic planning, data analysis, and programme management best practices.

● Foster a culture of continuous improvement, innovation, and strategic thinking at all levels of the organisation.

Any other appropriate duties that may be required from time to time in relation to supporting the administration of the College.

Mandatory

● Minimum of 3 years project management experience.

● Demonstrated experience of leading projects at a senior level

● Excellent report writing skills and attention to detail.

● Ability to proactively identify, assess, and mitigate risks, including creating contingency plans.

● High standards of professionalism and relationship management.

● Strong digital skills, including the use of project management software and excel.

● Excellent written and verbal communication skills.

Desirable

● Project Management Qualification at level 8 or equivalent

● Public sector governance qualification/experience