Background and Organisation
Iarnród Éireann / Irish Rail (IÉ) is the public railway company of Ireland. As an integrated railway its’ role is to manage all associated infrastructure while providing passenger and freight transport across Intercity, Interregional, Commuter and DART services. IÉ also owns and operates Rosslare Europort and is a subsidiary of Córas Iompair Éireann.
The Company is on an ambitious developmental journey, in service of a growing Ireland, and is organised to include an Operating function with Rail Undertaking (RU) and Infrastructure Management (IM), a growing Capital Investment unit, Commercial Businesses and corporate shared services.
IÉ is realising its ambition to be the backbone of Ireland’s sustainable transport network, delivering growth through a €10bn+ nationwide programme of capital investment projects in Ireland’s heavy rail network. Funded by the Department of Transport, the National Transport Authority (NTA) and the European Union, this Investment programme will grow the current carrying capacity from 55 million to 80 million passengers by the end of the decade, significantly expanding rail freight operations and developing the Rosslare Europort infrastructure.
An investment programme of this scale is crucial to the implementation of national and regional transport and environmental policies and represents the most positive era for growth and transformation of rail transport services in the history of the State.
Reinforced by the All-Island Strategic Rail Review (AISRR), jointly commissioned by the Department of Transport and the Department of Infrastructure in Northern Ireland, our extensive capital investment programme sets out the vision for continued improvements for passengers and wider society on the island of Ireland up to 2050. With an estimated capital cost of €37bn, the AISRR, recommends further actions for additional electrification of services, increased speeds, higher service frequency and new routes and is aligned with the net carbon zero commitments in both jurisdictions.
The role
The Chief of Staff is the CEO’s strategic enabler and trusted advisor, championing a culture of clear communications and decision-flow to drive the efficient delivery of the corporate vision and objectives. Reporting to the CEO, the Chief of Staff increases the CEO’s executive capacity through the strategic alignment of priorities and the strengthening of key stakeholder relationships. By facilitating clear and specific meeting agendas, governance processes and escalation pathways, the Chief of Staff supports effective decision-making to ensure IÉ’s strategic objectives are achieved.
A top priority of the role is the maintenance of strong working relationships with IÉ’s key stakeholders. As a highly experienced, confident and clear communicator, the Chief of Staff will provide insight and expertise to the CEO and Executive Leadership Team on all relevant public affairs, policy, media relations and corporate communications.
The ideal candidate:
The ideal candidate will be:
- An experienced collaborator and advisor at a senior level delivering results across a complex operating environment with senior management and Board level interaction
- A highly effective negotiator and influencer, able to engage credibly and with impact with stakeholders across the public and private sectors
- An outstanding communicator, both written and verbal, capable of representing and articulating a clear vision and strategy on behalf of senior management
- Highly effective at turning priorities into action, ensuring initiatives are delivered effectively across teams
- Experienced in cross-functional collaboration, bringing teams together to achieve shared goals
- Experienced in successful engagement e.g. with the policy making process, senior public and Civil Servants and with elected representatives while being politically astute and media-aware
- Able to provide informed analysis and briefings to members of the senior leadership team with a deep insight and understanding of the political, economic and public affairs landscape
- Self-motivated with strong strategic planning and crisis management skills alongside resilience and sound judgement in critical, reputationally sensitive, high-pressure environments
- Emotionally intelligent and collaborative - building trust, positivity, loyalty and a shared purpose as a member of a senior management team in a large-scale, complex organisational structure
- Experienced operating in a regulated environment undergoing significant change and transformation
- Experienced in customer centric programmes in a safety-first environment.
This is an exciting opportunity for an experienced senior professional to make a significant impact at IÉ; adding value to a high-performing, collaborative team culture, enabling the delivery of the transformation of Ireland’s rail network and the provision of a safe, high quality customer service experience at a time of unprecedented investment in heavy rail infrastructure in Ireland.
How to apply
To discuss your interest and for further information on this role, please contact PwC Executive Search, Ellen Roche +353 87 637 0812 or Adrienne Harten +353 87 247 2896.
To make an application for this role, please send a comprehensive curriculum vitae and a personal statement outlining your fit for the role to ie_recruitment_ie_cos@pwc.com.
The closing date for receipt of applications is Monday, 11th May 2026.
IÉ is a subsidiary of the commercial semi-state group of transport companies, Córas Iompair Éireann, and its activities are regulated by the National Transport Authority and by the Commission for Railway Regulation. Irish Rail is an equal opportunities employer.
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