Reports to: Director Origin Green
Grade 3
Salary: €91,838 - €109,218
New Entrants to the Public Sector commence on the first point of the Scale.
Purpose
Bord Bia has a vision that customers around the globe recognise that Irish food and drink is world-class; that it is high quality, distinctive, and made by a diverse range of creative producers from a unique and fortuitous island location.
Our purpose is to bring Ireland’s outstanding food, drink and horticulture to the world, thus enabling growth and sustainability of producers.
Bord Bia is seeking an experienced Senior Software Development Manager Architect to provide independent technical oversight and direction of the Sustainability Quality Assurance System (SQAS) programme — a strategic digital transformation initiative being delivered in partnership with an external Delivery Partner. The programme is seeking to deliver a new audit certification management system to facilitate the Bord Bia Farm Assurance Standard (FAS) based on the legacy quality management system which was developed by the external Delivery Partner over the past two decades.
This is a senior advisory role, appointed on a Three Year, Specialised Purpose Contract (SPC), designed to build Bord Bia’s architectural and technical expertise and support the management of the external Delivery Partner.
What you'll do:
Provides independent technical direction of the SQAS programme from a Bord Bia perspective, ensuring the platform is built to appropriate standards of quality, security, and scalability
Develops sufficient understanding of the platform architecture, codebase structure, data model and system design to enable informed technical challenge and decision-making on behalf of Bord Bia and to inform the future direction of the product
Provide independent technical advice in relation to the use of AI technology to support the delivery of software development projects both internally and through external software development partners
Reviews and provides input on key technical decisions — including architectural choices, infrastructure design, integration approaches, and non-functional requirements (performance, scalability, security, accessibility)
Chairs or co-chairs the Design Authority alongside the Bord Bia Programme Owner, contributing technical judgement to architecture decision reviews
Reviews Architecture Decision Records (ADRs), technical specifications, and system design documentation produced by the external Delivery Partner — and flags risks or concerns to the Programme Owner
Advises on the adequacy of vendor’s knowledge-transfer plan and documentation standards
Acts as the primary technical resource for Bord Bia during the programme, reducing dependence on the vendor for technical interpretation and advice
Provides structured feedback on vendor team composition, SDLC practices, and delivery quality to the Programme Owner and Sponsor
Supports onboarding of the Technical Programme Manager, sharing technical context and programme background
About you:
Essential Knowledge, Skills Capabilities
Knowledge:
Strong working knowledge of modern web application architecture, cloud infrastructure, API design, and system integration
Good understanding and previous experience of AI tools and technology within a software development life cycle (e.g. Anthropic AI Claude)
Excellent communication skills — able to translate complex technical matters for non-technical stakeholders
Skills and Capability
Significant experience (15+ years) in software development, software architecture, technical programme delivery, or senior engineering leadership
Demonstrable experience delivering or overseeing large-scale, complex software platforms — ideally in a regulated, public-sector, or agri/food context
Ability to review and interpret technical documentation, code, and architecture diagrams to a level sufficient to provide credible challenge
Experience advising clients or stakeholders on technical risk, vendor governance, and procurement readiness
High levels of professional integrity and independence; able to provide honest, evidence-based technical assessments
Desirable Knowledge, Skills Capabilities
Knowledge
Familiarity with GDPR, data protection obligations, and security compliance frameworks.
Background in food, agri, or certification/audit systems
Skills and Capability
Bord Bía is an Equal Opportunities Employer: We want to see a society where everyone is equal. We know our foundation must be an equitable workplace that recognises the dignity and worth of everyone and gives all our employees the freedom and opportunity to fulfil their potential: we want for you to be able to bring your whole self to work, so you can be the best you can be and live your purpose whilst developing your career with us. Our talented and diverse workforce also reflects the diversity of our clients, customers and markets by utilising their range of skills, knowledge and experience. Harnessing the wide range of perspectives this diversity brings, promotes innovation and helps make us more creative and competitive.
Bord Bia is committed to ensuring that all recruitment candidates have complete and equitable access as can reasonably be provided. If you require any support or accommodation as part of the recruitment process, please contact us directly at [email protected]e
