CEO Designate (Programme Director) of the MetroLink Delivery Body, Dublin, Ireland

MetroLink invites applications for the position of CEO Designate for the MetroLink Delivery Body, the Programme Director to lead the realisation of the MetroLink Programme. As CEO Designate you will lead the scheme through procurement, construction, and introduction into passenger service. Acting as the programme’s visible leader both internally and externally, you will also lead the transition of the programme from TII into the new dedicated delivery body.

You will be an exceptional leader who has clear experience of delivering large-scale infrastructure projects across either the public or private sector, with a passion to drive innovative solutions and be an ambassador for the Metrolink brand.

About MetroLink

MetroLink is Ireland's first fully automated, high-capacity metro railway and represents the most significant transport infrastructure investment undertaken by the State in almost a century.

The 19km railway will comprise 16 new stations connecting Swords, Dublin Airport and Dublin city centre, integrating seamlessly with Irish Rail, DART, Luas and Dublin Bus services to create a truly connected public transport network.

With trains operating every three minutes during peak periods, MetroLink will carry up to 20,000 passengers per hour in each direction and is expected to serve approximately 53 million passengers annually. Journey times between Dublin Airport and the city centre will be reduced to around 20–25 minutes, providing faster, more reliable and sustainable transport for future generations.

Key Responsibilities

Lead the delivery of MetroLink Programme through procurement, and implementation. Achieve handover of a ready-to-operate metro on-time, at best value and in a safety compliant manner.
Set the overall vision and strategy for delivery to achieve world class performance and realisation of the business case for MetroLink.
Oversee the establishment of the dedicated MetroLink delivery body, working with DoT, TII, NTA and other stakeholders to ensure a smooth transition from the existing governance and staffing arrangements.
Develop and evolve the governance structure for MetroLink, accountable for the assurance through the approval gateway processes.
Direct the negotiation of key delivery contracts with tendering suppliers.
Identify, champion and leverage opportunities to implement continuous improvement to reduce cost, enhance sustainability and efficiency.
Act as the programme’s visible leader both internally and externally, including media duties to engage with wider public interest, local communities and businesses.
Engage and influence up to Board and Irish Government level.
Lead, coach, build and manage a high-performance programme team.
Lead a proactive safety culture.

Key Skills & Experience

Successfully leading large scale and technically complex systems and construction programmes (in the order of €5bn or equivalent value) through the procurement and delivery phases to handover, safely, to time, within allocated budget.
Appropriate level of experience gained within complex, safety critical infrastructure programmes in urban environments such as a metro or major rail scheme would be desirable.
Delivery leadership of public infrastructure programmes for a programme/project client organisation, an association with or good knowledge of Ireland and its cultural and political landscape is desirable.
Managing complex stakeholder groups with diverse requirements, experience liaising with government at ministerial level is highly desirable.
Proven leadership skills necessary to manage a complex organisation and a good understanding of the importance of corporate governance.
Commercial understanding of different forms of contract (prior experience of NEC target cost and/or PPP contracts is desirable).
Understanding of Systems Integration, Assurance and Whole Asset Lifecycle in major programmes.
Relevant experience in organisational transformation with the ability to lead a team through transition and the establishment of a delivery organisation towards a mature and high performing structure.
BSc / BA (Engineering, or other related discipline), with chartered membership of a relevant professional body such as IEI, ICE, RICS or APM preferred.

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For full information please download the detailed candidate briefing booklet about this role, please click here

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Application Process

Transport Infrastructure Ireland has retained Newsom Consulting and Steering Point to assist with the recruitment of this position.

To apply, please submit your CV and a cover letter to metrolink@newsomconsulting.co.uk by 10.00am on 10th August

For further information regarding the position, please contact Paul Neave at pn@newsomconsulting.co.uk or Jim Newsom at jn@newsomconsulting.co.uk

Transport Infrastructure Ireland is committed to a policy of equal opportunity.

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