Director of the Northern and Western Regional Assembly

Director of the Northern and Western Regional Assembly

Job Summary:

The Director, as the Chief Officer, has the lead role in developing and overseeing the organisational structures and resources needed to deliver the efficient and effective operation of the business of the Assembly.

The Director’s role is to ensure the smooth operation of the business of the Assembly, support, advise and inform the Assembly in matters related to its statutory functions, manage and oversee the administration of the Assembly, represent the Assembly as required at regional, national and EU levels, and perform such other duties as may be prescribed or as the Assembly may, in accordance with its functions, determine or assign from time to time.

The Director will work closely with the Designated Chief Executive for the Assembly, designated by the Minister among the constituent local authorities of the Region, to provide an advisory role to the Assembly. The Director reports to the Assembly.

The tenure for this role is 7 years, which may be extended to no more than 10 years in total.

Main Duties of the Job:

• Establish and oversee the implementation of the Assembly's business objectives as set out in the corporate plan and annual work programme. The Director is ultimately responsible for standards of service delivery;
• Work and build strong relationships with the Assembly Members;
• Assist with oversight of the implementation of national policy, strategy formulation at regional and local level as appropriate, manage budgets and other administration, monitor EU programmes and manage EU projects;
• Communicate effectively, both in writing and orally, at a high level with, and respond to, internal and external stakeholders, including senior public sector officials, representatives from the private sector and third level institutions, European stakeholders and other interest groups;
• Build strong links with constituent local authorities and other public sector bodies for the delivery of the Assembly's functions;
• Provide effective leadership and promote a cohesive and collaborative approach in terms of a staff complement of professional, management, executive and administrative personnel charged with supporting the efficient and effective functioning of the Assembly;
• Oversee and manage the preparation, implementation and monitoring of the Regional Spatial & Economic Strategy (RSES) and other statutory processes provided for in the Planning and Development Act and National Planning Statements, as amended;

A full list of duties and eligibility criteria can be found in the Candidate information Booklet

Information About the Organisation:

The Northern and Western Regional Assembly (NWRA) is one of the three Regional Assemblies in Ireland. It was created alongside the Southern and Eastern and Midland Regional Assemblies by the Local Government Reform Act 2014 and was officially established in January 2015.

Regional Assemblies play an important role in promoting and supporting effective and balanced regional development and are tasked with a general competence to co-ordinate, promote and support strategic planning and sustainable development and to promote effectiveness in Local Government and public services.

Part of the local government structure, the NWRA operates independently to provide a range of functions for the Region which include policy making, monitoring and oversight and promoting enhanced co-ordination in the Region. A key function of the Assembly is to prepare, make and implement the Regional Spatial and Economic Strategy which links Project Ireland 2040 with local economic development and planning through City/County Development Plans, the Local Economic and Community Plans and the Regional Enterprise Plans. The Assembly also has an important role in promoting and supporting effective regional development through its role as Managing Authority for the €217m Northern and Western Regional Programme and through securing EU funding for specific regional projects.

Benefits:

See information Booklet

The Selection Process:

Further information on this significant opportunity, including details on how to apply, is available on our website via the button below.

The closing date for receipt of completed applications is 3pm on Thursday 20th of August 2026.

If you feel you would benefit from a confidential discussion about this role, please contact Mr. Stephen Buckley at

We are committed to a policy of equal opportunity and encourage applications under all nine grounds of the Employment Equality Act.