Programme Manager

Programme Manager – Rail

We are delighted to be supporting our client in the search for an experienced Programme Manager to join their growing Rail business in Ireland. This is a pivotal leadership role, responsible for the successful delivery of complex rail systems programmes while helping to drive the continued growth and development of the organisation's rail portfolio across the Irish market.

Location: Dublin
Contract: Permanent
Hours: 40 hours per week

The Opportunity

As Programme Manager, you will provide strategic leadership, governance oversight and technical direction across a diverse portfolio of rail projects, including Signalling, Electrification and Telecommunications schemes within both light and heavy rail environments.

Working closely with senior leadership teams, clients, regulators and assurance bodies, you will play a critical role in shaping programme delivery strategies, managing risk, ensuring compliance and driving successful outcomes across a safety-critical rail environment.

This position offers the opportunity to influence major infrastructure programmes from concept through to commissioning, while establishing robust governance frameworks and ensuring projects are delivered safely, efficiently and in line with regulatory and assurance requirements.

Key Responsibilities

• Lead the delivery of recently secured rail projects across the full project lifecycle, from design and development through to commissioning and handover.
• Provide programme-level leadership across technical, safety, governance and assurance functions within a safety-critical rail environment.
• Ensure compliance with all relevant rail safety, regulatory and assurance requirements across the Irish rail network.
• Oversee programme performance, managing cost, schedule, risk and quality to achieve successful project outcomes.
• Act as a senior point of contact for clients, infrastructure managers, regulators and independent assurance bodies.
• Review and approve key engineering deliverables, methodologies, RAMS and design submissions.
• Establish and maintain effective programme governance arrangements that support informed decision-making and robust delivery control.
• Provide strategic advice to senior stakeholders on programme risks, resource planning and delivery strategies.
• Support business development activities by contributing programme and technical expertise to bids, proposals and client engagement opportunities.
• Lead and coordinate the national programme of rail work from the Dublin office.

Why Join?

This is an exciting opportunity to join a growing rail business at a key stage of its development in Ireland. You'll have the chance to lead high-profile infrastructure programmes, influence strategic decision-making and play a significant role in shaping future growth within the rail sector.

In return, our client offers:

• Competitive salary with regular review opportunities.
• Clear career progression and leadership development pathways.
• Comprehensive training and professional development support.
• Access to mentoring and leadership programmes.
• Generous pension scheme with employer contributions.
• Competitive annual leave entitlement, plus public holidays and the option to purchase additional leave.
• Flexible benefits package tailored to individual needs.
• Employee discount and wellbeing programmes.
• Paid volunteering days and opportunities to support community initiatives.

About You

We're looking for a commercially aware and technically credible rail professional who combines strong programme leadership skills with the ambition to help grow a business in an evolving market.

You will bring:

• Significant experience delivering rail systems programmes within safety-critical environments.
• Strong knowledge of rail signalling, electrification and telecommunications disciplines.
• Proven success leading complex, multi-disciplinary rail projects and programmes.
• A thorough understanding of rail safety, governance, assurance and regulatory requirements.
• Excellent stakeholder management skills, with experience engaging at senior client and executive levels.
• The ability to contribute to business growth through bid support, client engagement and strategic programme input.
• A degree (or equivalent experience) in Engineering or a related discipline.
• Relevant professional accreditation, or a commitment to achieving chartered/professional status.
• A proactive, growth-oriented mindset and the ambition to play a key role in expanding a rail business within the Irish market.

Ardour Associates values diversity and promotes equality. No terminology in this advert is intended to discriminate against any of the protected characteristics that fall under the Equality Act 2010. We encourage and welcome applications from all sections of society and are more than happy to discuss reasonable adjustments and/or additional arrangements as required to support your application.

Candidates must be eligible to live and work in the UK.

For the purposes of the Conduct Regulations 2003, when advertising permanent vacancies we are acting as an Employment Agency, and when advertising temporary/contract vacancies we are acting as an Employment Business.

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#Dublin
#Programmemanager