Director General – Irish Universities Association
07/03/25
The Organisation
Established in 1997, the Irish Universities Association (IUA) is the representative body that promotes and advocates for the shared strategic priorities of Ireland’s seven research-intensive, enterprise-engaged, public universities.
The Irish Universities Association has a unique character shaped by its role as the collective voice of Ireland’s leading universities, its collaborative approach to policy and innovation, and its strong emphasis on a sustainable higher education funding model, internationalisation, and industry engagement.
The governing Council is chaired annually, on a rotational basis, by the Presidents and there is further collaboration across the membership on a functional basis through a network of subcommittees. With offices on Merrion Square, the IUA is a Company Limited by Guarantee and is a registered charity, funded by its members. The IUA team of 20 professionals is dedicated to the missions of the universities and is guided by the IUA’s core values of “Commitment, Professionalism, Community and Pride in Our Work”.
The Council now wishes to appoint a Director General (DG).
The Broader Context for the Appointment
The Irish higher education landscape has evolved significantly in the last decade, differentiating the research-intensive universities based on their generations of cutting-edge, internationally renowned research. This research naturally positions them as contributors to government and to business to develop policies to resolve the grand challenges of our times. The IUA creates opportunities to share the members’ world class research, adding new knowledge to national policy debate. By sharing the power of their research, the IUA promotes the mutually beneficial objectives of adding value to government’s strategic policy-making process and strengthening their position nationally and internationally.
The DG will balance the relationship of ask and offer: the “ask” related to the gaps in the present funding model for research-intensive universities, and the “offer” to contribute to strategic national priorities capable of unlocking fresh funding opportunities to deliver on developing talent and unlocking potential through ground-breaking research.
The Role
Reporting to the Chair of the Council, the DG will work closely with the Council members to define their shared strategic priorities and deliver a programme of advocacy and communications that underlines their identity as research-intensive universities and represents the members to deliver on agreed key objectives.
This role will operate in the context of significant societal challenges and opportunities facing the Irish Higher Education (HE) sector. The challenges include sectoral funding shortfall, changing demographics, cost of living, international rankings, skills gaps, industry alignment, and the need for digital transformation.
Key Areas of Focus
These challenges are key to enabling the Irish research-intensive universities to continue to provide significant benefit to society and with this in mind, the initial areas of focus for the role will be to:
- work in collaboration with relevant government stakeholders, to achieve an immediate, sustainable funding model for research-intensive universities to support the national higher education agenda;
- actively promote the Irish universities to the wider public to enhance the national level of understanding and appreciation of the significant societal value of the Irish research-intensive universities;
- actively promote the IUA brand to enhance the national level of understanding of the IUA as an effective advocacy group.
To achieve these key areas of focus and subsequent key objectives, the DG will be in tune with and live the organisation’s values, while also supporting the team’s professional development. As well as organisational leadership, the DG will work closely with external stakeholders in government, industry, the business community, and the general public, providing a clear evidence base to inform and support the policymakers. To anticipate and prepare for future developments in relevant environments, the DG will conduct regular horizon scanning and will garner support, building positive relationships and alliances that are important for the long-term strength and sustainability of a thriving research-intensive university sector.
The ideal candidate will:
- have significant knowledge of the Irish HE sector and research ecosystem and understand its strategic challenges;
- have a background as an outstanding advocate, articulating the IUA’s vision, and demonstrating diplomacy and tact;
- be a deft negotiator, have the experience and capacity to facilitate discussions and debate to arrive at consensus, if possible, while at the same time being prepared to disagree if required;
- be credible and at ease engaging with and influencing senior stakeholders in government, industry and education;
- be a credible mainstream media performer while also being comfortable in the use of social media;
- demonstrate a nuanced approach to developing long term, professional engagement with a wide range of partners in education, business leaders, and the general public;
- be a strategic thinker who has led and developed teams and organisations who work collaboratively, reinforcing a strong culture to meet the needs of and to pro-actively support the membership;
- be an experienced and sophisticated communicator, working with the team to develop and deliver a strategic agenda and a targeted communication plan; and
- demonstrate experience of anticipating and being comfortable with change both tactical and strategic.
This is an opportunity for a values-based leader to positively impact the advancement of the IUA’s strategic priorities at this time of great openness, opportunity, and change.
To discuss your interest and for further information on this role, please contact PwC Executive Search Ellen Roche at +353 87 637 0812 or Laura Harrington at +353 87 378 3010.
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_iua_dg@pwc.com
The closing date for receipt of applications is 5:30pm on Monday, 7th April 2025.
The Irish Universities Association is an Equal Opportunities Employer.
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