Director Of Marine Environment & Food Safety Services

Marine Institute

Marine Institute

Posted on Jun 7, 2025

Be part of an organisation who strive to make a difference.

The Role: Service Group Director for Marine Environment & Food Safety Services

Reporting to the Chief Executive Officer, the successful candidate will play a pivotal role in providing effective strategic leadership to a team of managers currently working across six interconnected sections: Fish Health Unit; Marine Environmental Chemistry; Shellfish Safety; Quality Control; Benthos Science and Licencing Advisory Services; and, Marine Spatial Planning.

Supported by the Director’s strong leadership these units work collaboratively, integrating their services, and fostering the ongoing development of scientific and advisory expertise to fulfil the Marine Institute’s statutory responsibilities and strategic ambitions.

Key responsibilities include: Strategic Implementation Planning for the Service Group; Oversight of annual work planning; Workforce development; Laboratory innovation; Strategic stakeholder engagement; and, Ensuring alignment with national and international policy frameworks - all in accordance with the Institute’s corporate strategy.

The Person:

As a member of the Marine Institute’s Senior Leadership Team, the Director will contribute to the broader strategic direction of the Institute, demonstrating strong collaboration and teamwork. Candidates will bring a proven track record of successful programme delivery at a senior level in a multi-functional organisation, demonstrating innovation, effective decision making, accountability and responsibility. Experience may have been gained in either the public or private sectors. Remuneration for this role will be in line with public sector policy and will reflect the seniority of the post.

The Marine Institute strategic priorities centre on transforming our knowledge, advice and services to benefit people, policy and planet. Our Corporate Strategy sets out a roadmap to enable Ireland to deliver on national and EU policy goals on sustainable seafood production, ocean science and management, environment and biodiversity, maritime transport, offshore renewable energy development, and climate action.

As Ireland’s national scientific agency responsible for supporting the sustainable development of the state’s maritime area and resources, the Marine Institute conducts applied research and provides scientific knowledge, advice and services to government, industry and other stakeholders and users. This policy advice capacity, supported by our broad mandate, and the research programmes funded and undertaken, uniquely position the Institute at the science - policy interface, and as an exemplar in the provision of integrated ocean knowledge.

The Institute works under the aegis of the Department of Agriculture, Food and Marine (DAFM) and in conjunction with a network of other Government Departments, Semi-State Agencies, national and international marine partners. The Institute strives to meet increasing demand from across Government for the data and evidence that are essential to inform national policy and to underpin the State’s governance of our maritime area.

How to Access Further Information & Apply:

Further details on this significant opportunity, including remuneration, duties and responsibilities, are available here.

To apply, please email a comprehensive Curriculum vitae and Supporting Letter to: Catherine Johnston, Head of Human Resources, at: catherine.johnston@marine.ie

For a confidential discussion of the opportunity, please contact Catherine at +353 (0)87 805 1917.

The deadline for submission of applications is 12 noon, Friday, 20th June 2025.

The Marine Institute is an equal opportunities employer and an organisation that champions diversity, inclusion, and equality for all.