ComReg Overview
ComReg is the statutory body responsible for regulating fixed and mobile communications, postal and premium rate services in Ireland. Our mandate is to create a competitive marketplace, to protect and inform consumers, and to encourage innovation. ComReg also manages Ireland's radio spectrum resource on behalf of the State.
We are a professional, multi-disciplinary and diverse organisation, operating in a dynamic digital regulatory environment that is constantly evolving.
This will be an exciting time of growth for ComReg, as our mandate expands and we take on new statutory responsibilities arising from EU legislation including: the Network and Information Systems (NIS2) Directive, the Critical Entities Resilience (CER) Directive - addressing cybersecurity and network resilience - together with the EU Data Act and the EU AI Act.
While our regulatory role is evolving, our fundamental mission remains the same. ComReg's mission is to implement effective regulation that supports the delivery of widespread, modern, and resilient digital infrastructure, including communications networks, products, and services which, ultimately, benefit users.
Divisional Overview
Within ComReg, the Market Framework Division is responsible for the following:
-
The management of Ireland's spectrum resource, which includes the assignment of radio spectrum and maintaining the integrity of Ireland's radio spectrum by monitoring, compliance and enforcement activities. The design and delivery of spectrum awards also form part of this function (the next multi-band spectrum award is planned for 2030).
-
Managing Ireland's National Numbering Scheme, to conserve this finite national resource, while ensuring that there is always an adequate supply of numbers to support the demands of existing and new service providers.
-
Oversight of operator network resilience and incident management
-
Delivery of product safety and market surveillance authority (MSA) obligations under EU law (Radio Equipment Directive (RED) and the Electromagnetic Compatibility Directive (EMC)) for electronic communications related equipment (Note: future expansion of the product safety and MSA responsibilities linked with the AI Act, Radio Equipment Directive Delegated Act (RED DA) and Cyber Resilience Act (CRA) are expected).
-
Representation of Ireland at EU and global regulatory bodies (the European Conference of Postal and Telecommunications Administrations, the Radio Spectrum Policy Group, the Body of European Regulators for Electronic Communications, the International Telecommunications Union, etc.).
Role and Responsibilities
The Director of Spectrum and Market Framework is one of seven Divisional Director roles and forms a key part of the Leadership Team. This critical senior leadership role underpins the delivery of core statutory functions. The role carries executive-level accountability for the management of Ireland's radio spectrum, national numbering resources, network resilience, including nuisance communications, and ComReg's market surveillance responsibilities, as well as senior representation of the State at EU and international fora.
The role is central to translating technical and regulatory expertise into real-world impact - enhancing consumer protection through product safety and compliance, shaping Ireland's response to emerging technologies and EU regulatory change, and ensuring that complex infrastructure and policy decisions deliver tangible outcomes for consumers, businesses and the wider economy.
The successful candidate will report to the Commission and will have responsibility for the following business areas:
Strategic Leadership
-
Play a central role in shaping and delivering ComReg's organisational strategy, contributing to the setting of strategic priorities and ensuring alignment between divisional objectives and ComReg's organisational strategy and organisational structure.
-
Lead a multi-disciplinary team that includes engineers, policy specialists, economists, lawyers, etc. and technical experts in the division, setting strategic priorities aligned with ComReg's statutory objectives and wider EU regulatory frameworks.
-
Provide expert advice to the Commission on spectrum policy and emerging technological developments.
-
Drive cross-functional collaboration across ComReg divisions and with government departments
-
Manage significant national assets (spectrum and numbering).
Contribute to ComReg's mission of promoting competition, protecting consumers, and enabling innovation in communications markets.
-
Spectrum & Technical Resource Management
-
Oversee the allocation, assignment, and licensing of radio spectrum, ensuring efficient and optimal use of this finite national resource.
- Lead spectrum strategy to support mobile, satellite, broadcasting, and emerging technologies (e.g. 5G, IoT).
-
Ensure robust compliance, monitoring, and enforcement activities.
Numbering & National Resources
-
Direct the management of Ireland's National Numbering Scheme, ensuring sustainability, innovation, and fair access.
- Balance industry demand with long-term strategic resource planning.
Product Safety & Market Surveillance
-
Oversee ComReg's role as Ireland's Market Surveillance Authority for electronic communications related equipment.
-
Ensure compliance with EU directives (e.g. RED, EMC), protecting consumers and maintaining market integrity.
Engagement and Stakeholder Management
-
Build and maintain high-level strategic stakeholder relationships
-
Support Commissioners and represent ComReg at executive level engagements (CEO, key Government Officials, other national competent authorities' (NCAs) leadership etc) Ensure effective collaboration with national, EU and international bodies (e.g. government departments, European Commission, BEREC, ITU, The Unsolicited Communications Enforcement Network, RSPG Radio Spectrum Committee Group, etc.)
-
Represent ComReg and Ireland at key international fora (e.g. CEPT, RSPG, BEREC, ITU)
-
Influence European and global regulatory policy, ensuring alignment with Ireland's strategic interests
-
Lead engagement with EU legislative and regulatory developments
Other
-
Management of heads of functions in the Division and delegation of appropriate responsibilities
-
Review and approval of forecasted budgets to support the execution of obligations across multiple operational units
Note: As ComReg is undergoing a period of significant organisational growth, roles and responsibilities may be subject to change.
Qualifications & Experience
Essential Criteria
-
Significant senior leadership experience (minimum of 5-7 years) in telecommunications, regulation, engineering, or digital infrastructure policy
-
Strong understanding of, or experience with, EU regulatory frameworks
-
Demonstrated ability to translate strategy into execution - delivering complex programmes and aligning multiple stakeholders to achieve organisational goals
-
Strong stakeholder management and influencing skills, with the proven ability to build trust, secure collaboration and drive outcomes
-
Experience operating at senior levels where influencing regulatory, policy or strategic decisions across complex stakeholder environments is a core requirement
-
Excellent organisational and strategic leadership ability, including the ability to navigate complexity, lead change and deliver results in a complex, dynamic, fast-moving regulatory environment
-
Proven experience in fostering a culture of accountability, collaboration, and continuous improvement, while ensuring clear alignment with organisational strategy
-
High levels of integrity with a focus on operating in an impartial and transparent manner to deliver the best possible solutions
Desirable Criteria
-
Experience working in a regulatory environment
-
Third level Degree (Masters preferred) in leadership, business administration, public administration or related relevant area(s))
-
Strong understanding of telecom networks and infrastructure with experience in, or exposure to, spectrum management, network operations or related technical domains.
-
Experience working in/with public sector or Government in Ireland, the EU or other European jurisdiction
-
Demonstrated ability to maximise financial resources within a governance and budgetary control framework.
Competencies
In addition to your technical qualifications and experience, you will bring professional competencies and skills in the following core areas:
Technical Knowledge & Continuous Improvement - Possesses a command over the technical and professional skills for a particular discipline. Keeps an open mind. Demonstrates commitment to continuous improvement.-
Strategy and Leadership: Anticipates future developments and applies this to operational situations. Creates a climate of cooperation where people strive to achieve common organisational goals. Takes a broad view.
- Contextual Understanding: Understands the regulatory, legislative, political, industrial, economic, societal and cultural environment within which ComReg operates. Uses this understanding to interact effectively. Considers the wider impact of actions and decisions.
-
Analytical and Critical Thinking: Objectively analyses and evaluates information in order to identify patterns between situations that are not obviously related. Develops and clearly articulates solutions to complex problems.
-
Communication and Influencing: Communicates clearly, confidently and respectfully. Engages, persuades and convinces others to follow a particular course of action. Ensures all relevant parties are appropriated updated and notified.
-
Decision Making and Judgement: Effectively builds evidence base to support the decision-making process. Assesses alternative options. Uses judgement to adapt to specific and challenging requirements of the organisation.
-
People Skills: Uses interpersonal skills to create engagement and clarity. Manages conflict and implements practical solutions. Recognises the impact of own behaviour and adjusts as required. Actively develops others.
Our Package
We are offering an attractive package:
-
Salary €183,771.62 (entry will be at the minimum point and the rate of remuneration may be adjusted from time to time in line with Government pay policy.)
-
Dublin city centre location - IFSC
-
Blended working environment - 2 days in the office (flexibility for more days may be required depending on business needs)
-
28 days Annual Leave per year increases with service
-
Attractive pension scheme
-
Fully paid Maternity, Paternity and Parent's leave
-
Income protection scheme
-
Education assistance and Training Opportunities
-
Professional membership fee pay
-
ComReg Wellbeing Programme -Wellbeing and Respect Charter | Commission for Communications Regulation
-
Online gym
-
Travel tax saver scheme, Access to Cycle to Work Scheme
-
Access to Employee Assistance Programme
-
Access to a member run sports and social club
(entry will be at the minimum point and the rate of remuneration may be adjusted from time to time in line with Government pay policy.)
Check out the Recruitment section of our Careers website if you have any questions or need further information about the role or the recruitment process -https://www.comreg.ie/about/careers/recruitment-faq/
Please Note (1)
We hope that our recruitment process supports applications from candidates with diverse backgrounds, experiences and perspectives. We understand that having a diverse workforce contributes to making us stronger as an organisation. We are committed to positively supporting candidates with disabilities.
Please let us know if there are any reasonable accommodations we can make to enable you to take part in the process by creating the environment to give you the best opportunity to show your strengths and competencies. Rest assured that whatever information you disclose will only be used to enable us to provide the necessary support and will never have a bearing on the outcome of the process.
Please Note (2)
ComReg assesses all applicants fairly based on the requirements for the role. Due to the high volume of applications we receive for positions, we are unable to provide feedback to candidates who are not shortlisted for interview. If you are short-listed for interview, and are subsequently unsuccessful, you can request verbal feedback from your recruitment contact - if you are represented by an agency.