People Operations & Engagement Lead - Research Ireland
***This role is based in Dublin, Ireland***
About Taighde Eireann - Research Ireland
Taighde Eireann - Research Ireland is the national research and innovation funding agency, which was established on 1 August 2024; it amalgamates the activities of the Irish Research Council and Science Foundation Ireland. Research Ireland will drive world-class research and innovation in Ireland, funding excellence in all disciplines across the spectrum of Arts, Engineering, Humanities, Mathematics, Science, Social Sciences, Technology and others.
ROLE OVERVIEW
Research Ireland is seeking to appoint a People Operations & Engagement Lead to join its experienced and supportive People and Culture team. This role offers exposure across a broad range of HR activities, including recruitment, HR operations, employee support, internal communications and engagement projects.
The position will suit a proactive HR professional who enjoys taking ownership of processes, improving ways of working, and engaging with managers and staff across the organisation to help shape a positive and inclusive organisational culture.
KEY ACCOUNTABILITIES
People Operations
Coordinate end-to-end recruitment processes, partnering with hiring managers to support workforce needs and ensure a positive candidate experience
Manage recruitment platforms and job advertising while ensuring recruitment activity aligns with public sector guidelines and best practice
Maintain and administer the HR information system, ensuring employee records and workforce data are accurate and up to date
Support payroll processes in collaboration with external providers and assist with pension administration where required
Oversee onboarding and offboarding processes, ensuring a structured and positive employee experience
Act as a key point of contact for general queries from employees and managers, providing guidance on people policies and procedures
Support performance management, probation processes and employee relations matters where required
Assist with reporting and workforce data requests for internal and external stakeholders
Contribute to projects and initiatives including areas such as employee engagement, learning and development and process improvement
Identify opportunities to strengthen processes and help improve efficiencies
Learning, Development & Capability Building
Coordinate learning and development activities across the organisation, ensuring alignment with organisational priorities
Support the design, implementation and ongoing management of the Training Needs Analysis (TNA) process
Work with managers and teams to identify capability gaps and development requirements
Develop and maintain the organisational annual training plan, tracking delivery, participation and outcomes
Partner with internal stakeholders and external providers to organise and deliver training programmes and workshops
Monitor and evaluate the effectiveness of learning initiatives, using feedback and data to inform continuous improvement
Maintain training records, compliance training requirements and reporting metrics
Engagement, Communications & Culture
Contribute to employee engagement initiatives, recognition programmes and organisational development projects
Support internal communications, announcements and engagement content
Partner with teams across the organisation to support workshops, onboarding and culture building activities
Help promote a positive, inclusive and connected workplace environment
EXPERIENCE & QUALIFICATIONS
Key Criteria
Experience working in a public sector or similarly regulated environment (essential)
Previous experience in a HR generalist or HR operations role
Strong understanding of HR policies, procedures and governance frameworks
Experience supporting recruitment and working closely with hiring managers
Familiarity with HR systems and data management
Strong organisational and stakeholder management skills
Interpersonal & Communication Competencies
Ability to build strong working relationships across all levels of the organisation
Confident, professional verbal and written communication
Positive, supportive approach to dealing with HR queries, ensures a high-quality employee experience from onboarding to exit
Ability to compile HR metrics and respond to data requests, comfortable interpreting trends and identifying insights
Proactive in identifying gaps or inefficiencies, can propose, test and implement improved processes
Able to manage multiple tasks in a busy environment, strong planning and time-management capability
Works with accuracy across documentation, HR records, and reporting
Self-starter with initiative who takes ownership of tasks and processes, keep projects moving with minimal oversight
Application Process:
To apply for this post, applicants must submit a cover letter demonstrating how the applicant meets the requirements for this role (maximum of two pages) as set out in the job specification together with an up-to-date CV. Please note that the cover letter is essential.
Applications must be submitted as one document online through the online applicant management system Occupop on or before 12 noon Irish Local Time on 4th June 2026.
Shortlisted applicants will be invited to attend for an interview, which may include a competency-based interview, a presentation on a topic of relevance to the role and/ or other such assessment methods as deemed appropriate. Research Ireland reserves the right to invite candidates to a second-round interview and to undergo further assessment, including the use of psychometric assessment if so required. Please note, interviews may take place over videoconference or other remote technology where appropriate.
Salary:
The salary for this post will be €52,546 per annum for new entrants to the Public Sector. This salary will rise over time, as per the salary scale detailed below.
Level D salary scale: €52,546 - €75,472 per annum with contributory superannuation (pension). Government policy continues to be that starting pay on recruitment from open competition for all posts within the public sector should be at the minimum of the relevant salary scale and are not subject to negotiation. Remuneration may be adjusted from time to time in line with Government policy.
Benefits:
We offer several key Benefits and perks, such as:
Competitive salary with defined progression through the grade
Defined Benefit Pension Scheme (Single Public Service Pension Scheme)
Excellent progressive Policies including a favourable Blended Working Policy, Sick Leave, and other family-friendly policies
Modern office facilities with a subsidised canteen
Life Insurance
29 Days Annual Leave
Learning and development opportunities
