Portfolio Programme Coordinator

Gas Networks Ireland operates and maintains Ireland’s €2.7bn, 14,664km national gas network, which is considered one of the safest and most modern renewables-ready gas networks in the world.

Over 720,000 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, including 40% of all heating and almost 50% of the country’s electricity generation.

By working to replace natural gas with renewable gases, such as biomethane and green hydrogen, and complementing intermittent renewable electricity, Gas Networks Ireland is supporting Ireland’s journey to a cleaner energy future.

The Role:

The Portfolio Office function within Gas Networks Ireland is responsible for providing single oversight of the delivery of all capital and operational work within the organisation, enabling it to make key decisions that will optimise the overall delivery of GNI’s portfolio of work.  The office provides support and oversight in the areas of Investment Planning and Governance, Integrated Delivery Planning and Portfolio Programme Management; whilst also acting as the gate keeper 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 Portfolio Programme Manager, the Portfolio Programme Coordinator, will be responsible for overseeing and managing the governance process for capital expenditure approvals (Gate Submissions), including the development and maintenance of the Annual Gate Submission calendar and the preparation of Gate Submission papers for presentation to senior management and executive level governance committees - Sub-EAC, EAC and the GNI and GNI(UK) Boards.

The Portfolio Programme Coordinator will work closely with Delivery Partners (Project Delivery and Network Operations) and Project/Programme Sponsors (Asset Strategy, Business Development, and Future Networks) to monitor and drive Gate Submission performance, and to ensure that the project/programme information provided by those stakeholders (documented in Programme Plans, Investment Plans and Business Cases), satisfies the requirements specified in the Portfolio Governance Checklists, for each Gate Submission.    

Duties and Responsibilities: 

• Responsible for developing and maintaining the annual Gate Calendar that sets out the Gate Submissions required to achieve the Short and Medium Term Integrated Delivery Plans.
• Responsible for monitoring and driving Gate Submission performance across the key stakeholders, in line with the Gate Calendar.  
• Responsible for ensuring that the supporting information provided by the various stakeholders for Gate Submissions, and documented in Investment Plans (Technical Justification Papers), Business Cases (including Customer Connection or Works Agreements), and Programme Plans, satisfies the requirements specified in the Portfolio Governance Checklist for the relevant Gate (Gate 2; Gate 3; or Gate 4).
• Responsible for the development/drafting of the Sub-EAC/EAC Gate submission papers/templates,  from Gate 2 to Gate 4, and the Board submission papers.
• Responsible for identifying and documenting ‘key approval considerations’ and financial risks - funding and/or unit cost, in the Gate Submissions, and escalating same to the Portfolio Programme Manager.
• Responsible for presenting Gate Submission papers at COO Review, Sub-EAC and EAC meetings, as required.  
• Provide specialist programme advice and manage delivery issues as required, conducting and contributing to regular reviews of programme and project progress including budgets, changes, risks and issues.
• Provide support to Asset Management, Customer Acquisitions and TDTT with respect to Gate 1 or Stage 1 investment submissions.
• Provide support to relevant Project Delivery Managers and Leads; as well as Maintenance Programming & Delivery leads; with respect to Portfolio governance requirements and project completion checklists.
• Be pro-active investigating escalated programme delivery issues, problems and risks
• Provide support and input regarding budget preparation, liaising and coordinating with Investment Planning & Governance.
• Develop and support effective communications and consultation within Asset Delivery and Asset Operations.
• Deputise for relevant Portfolio Programme Manager as required and interface with other parts of the business e.g. HSQ, Finance, Strategy & Regulation, Business Development and Commercial.
• Drive for high performance, setting the standard for continuous improvement in the delivery of the portfolio.
• Perform other such duties that may be required from time to time.

Knowledge, Skills and Experience:

• Relevant third level engineering or project management qualification or equivalent.
• Minimum 5 years post qualification experience in a similar role supporting the delivery of Infrastructure projects or maintenance programmes in Gas or similar industries (e.g. electricity, water, telecommunications).
• Demonstrated experience of effective programme, risk and stakeholder management.
• Ability to:

• Assist with the coordination of high priority capex and opex programmes with multiple complex stakeholders (both internal and external)
• Support Portfolio Programme Managers in shaping and implementing efficient and effective processes and adoption of best practice.
• Manage issues within the relevant programme and act as an initial point of coordination.

• You will be a strong team player and have a demonstrated ability to bring teams together.
• You will be a natural collaborator seeking out opportunities to share knowledge and improve results.
• You will have a clear communication style and will be able to influence others effectively.
• You are results focused and have a track record of getting results through others.
• You are committed to providing excellent customer service and have a track record of delivering excellence through others.

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

6th of August 2024.

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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