Head of Portfolio Office

Gas Networks Ireland operates and maintains Ireland’s €3bn, 14,725km national gas network, which is considered one of the safest and most modern renewables-ready gas networks in the world.

Almost 725,000 Irish homes and businesses trust Ireland’s gas network to provide efficient and reliable energy to meet their heating, cooking, manufacturing and transport needs.

The gas network is the cornerstone of Ireland’s energy system, securely supplying more than 30% of Ireland’s total energy and over 40% of the country’s electricity generation.

Gas Networks Ireland is aiming to deliver a repurposed, resized and fully decarbonised gas network by 2045. Its “Pathway to a Net Zero Carbon Network” envisions transforming the existing gas network into two separate systems carrying 100% renewable gas, one dedicated to biomethane and the other to green hydrogen, with the potential to carry approximately 30% biomethane and 70% green hydrogen, as well as offering significant long term energy export opportunities.

Gas Networks is an organisation with a very strong legacy and a culture founded on pride in our purpose, to keep Irelands energy moving, and commitment to our vision, to be at the heart of Irelands energy future. Our organisational values demonstrate what is important across the organisation including building on our experience across our organisation to build towards our sustainable future, doing what's right for each other and for the people and communities that we serve and finally energised for the change of our future towards a renewable energy landscape. Throughout your career in Gas Networks Ireland, you will be part of an organisation that has a strong commitment to supporting and developing our workforce today and into the future. You will also have an opportunity to get involved in our ambitious iBelong programme ensuring a diverse, equitable and inclusive environment for us all to thrive. Finally, our Time to Talk Mental Health programme and our wellbeing initiatives ensure we provide support across many areas as you work in our organisation.

The Role:

The Portfolio Office function within Gas Networks Ireland is responsible for providing strategic direction, planning and oversight for the delivery of all capital and operational work within the organisation, enabling key decisions that will optimise the overall delivery of GNI’s portfolio of work. The office provides management, delivery and oversight in the areas of Portfolio Planning, Portfolio Assurance, Land and Statutory Consents Management  and Commercial Management; whilst also acting as the gatekeeper and critical interface between potential investment programmes and commercial opportunities, and the core departments responsible for the delivery, operation, and maintenance of GNI’s assets.

Reporting to the Director of Assets and Infrastructure, the Head of Portfolio Office will be responsible for the strategic oversight of the delivery of GNI’s portfolio of regulated and unregulated programmes of work.

The successful candidate will have the ability to forge strategic relationships with internal and external stakeholders and will identify and drive the organisational and cultural changes needed to adapt to evolving market and customer demands, as well as technology and internal initiatives.  They will oversee portfolio progress and performance providing leadership and oversight to support decision-making.

This is a senior leadership role within the organisation, overseeing a critical national business function while being a key facilitator in the transformation of Ireland's Gas Network towards a net zero energy system by 2050.

Duties and Responsibilities:

• Oversee the balancing of conflicting drivers to maximise the return on GNI’s Asset Portfolio, while maintaining the organisation’s desired levels of risk and performance.
• Deliver commitments with the Regulatory authorities in relation to Price Control allowances. Play a lead role in any Price Control submissions  and work with both internal and external stakeholders to ensure the best outcome for GNI.
• Manage and oversee the execution of the Investment Portfolio, implementing a control framework to ensure that risk levels are appropriately managed.
• Optimise the planning of both the Capital and Maintenance investment programmes.
• Forward plan the Investment Portfolio to mitigate risks and ensure future deliverability.
• Manage the acquisition of Land and Wayleaves, Planning Consents process and other Statutory Consents required for projects.
• Ensure commercial focus is prioritised in all Portfolio decisions.
• Manage the portfolio of Asset Contracts to execute the work programs, mitigate business risk, and ensure optimal value for money.
• Act as Head of Contract for the Networks Services and Works Contract (NSWC) and other key strategic contracts as required.
• Develop and promote effective working relationships with all parts of the business.
• Drive for high performance and customer focus, setting the standard for continuous improvement in the delivery of the portfolio and the services provided by GNI.
• Lead, develop, and manage the talent within the Portfolio Office to deliver the strategic goals.
• Perform other such duties that may be required from time to time.

Knowledge, Skills and Experience:

• Proven technical competence is essential – Engineering/Business degree or other relevant qualification desirable.
• Minimum of 10 years of senior management experience, ideally in the Utility industry.
• Proven ability to successfully implement and execute programmes and drive high performance.
• Experience of developing and maintaining effective strategic partnerships with key stakeholder.
• Demonstrated leadership ability, proactive development, motivation, and engagement of teams.
• Strong business acumen and communication skills.
• Proven ability to be an advocate for the development and implementation of change21.
• Ability to promote and provide a strong customer-focused service and the achievement of results through effective delegation.
• Demonstrated ability to analyse key business issues quickly, make recommendations, influence key stakeholders, and implement solutions to advance business and strategic goals.

 

Applications, including current Curriculum Vitae, should be emailed to the following address stating the job title and reference number in the subject line of your email: recruit@gasnetworks.ie

 

The closing date for receipt of applications for this vacancy is the 11^th of April 2025.

Please note that applications submitted after this closing date will not be accepted.

 

Gas Networks Ireland is an equal opportunities employer

We are committed to providing a diverse and inclusive place of work and have a robust strategy and framework called ibelong to enable this. We are an equal opportunity employer and through our recruitment process we welcome and encourage applications from interested and suitably qualified individuals regardless of gender, age, racial or ethnic origin, membership of the traveller community, religion or beliefs, family or civil status, sexual orientation/gender identity or disability.

 

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