The role of the Head of Utility Management & Mandate Progression is engage across a wide range of CAU activities and to lead in the following areas:
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Centralisation of the utility management function (which is currently decentralised to five regional sections) within the CAU.
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Driving action on the largely non-technical elements of the Climate Action Mandate, responsibility for which is decentralised including waste and food waste, paper use, single use items and water fill points.
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Progressing work already commenced on the Greener Travel requirements of the Climate Action Mandate and driving compliance with relevant legislation.
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Responsible for managing the existing communication of Climate Action and sustainability and expanding the engagement to other stakeholders.
The role involves high levels of management of public sector funds including procurement, monitoring, reporting and robust budget management. Organisation, attention to detail and adherence to procedures are key attributes for this role.
The work of the unit is diverse and changes in response to operational and external needs. This role will involve high levels of cooperation and collaboration with colleagues in the CAU with significant shared responsibilities around the Climate Action Mandate and Roadmap, statutory compliance, M&R and reporting, utility oversight and budget, reporting and engagement. Collegiality, flexibility and adaptability are key requirements.
Key Responsibilities
- As an Assistant Principal (AP) within the expanding Climate Action Unit, the Head of Utility Management and Mandate Progression will report to and support their Principal Officer (PO) and closely collaborate with other APs within their section in delivery of unit objectives, and across the organisation in delivery of wider Courts Service goals. They will work closely with and report to the designated Courts Service Energy Performance Officer and the Climate and Sustainability Champion.
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They will be responsible for establishing and leading a new section within the CAU, including progressively taking ownership of existing parts of the role as well as creating strategies and programmes for embedding new functions. They will be responsible for creating business cases, for hiring and onboarding their team. They will manage and develop their team ensuring continual training and upskilling in this rapidly changing environment.
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The Head of Utility Management and Mandate Progression will be responsible for review of all Climate Action Plans, Climate Action Mandates for public bodies, European and Irish climate legislation (later as they relate to their area of responsibility). They will be responsible for assessing the impact on the Courts Service of the above and reporting same to their PO and the Senior Management Team and more broadly across organisation as required. In particular, they will be responsible for identifying, quantifying and reporting any gaps between the current situation and the mandate, and working with stakeholders to become compliant.
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The Head of Utility Management and Mandate Progression will be responsible, in conjunction with other APs in the CAU, for the production and publication of the annual Climate Action Roadmap, including managing the delivery program to meet publication deadlines, engaging with relevant sections for timely input, writing the roadmap update, liaising with our Communication and Media Unit and presentation to SMT and other stakeholders. They will be responsible for input to the annual M&R and Comply or explain reporting relevant to their areas of responsibility.
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The Head of Utility Management and Mandate Progression will responsible for managing the transition from a decentralised to a centralised utility management function within the CAU. They will be responsible for mapping and planning the change process, engaging with stakeholders, delivering the transition ensuring continuity of supply, and reassigning of annual budgets. The centralisation will commence with electricity and thermal fuels which represents an annual budget of €4 Million. Centralisation of other utilities will follow on a phased basis. The AP will take over responsibility of the utility dashboard currently in development in tandem with our Data Unit.
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Once the utility management function transition is complete, the Head of Utility Management and Mandate Progression will be responsible for managing the annual utility budget, budget projections, ensuring contract compliance, invoice management and processing, value for money analysis and engagement with account managers across all utilities. They will be responsible for liaising with the Office of Government Procurement on national framework agreements and mini competitions for electricity and gas supply as required and delivering contract transitions.
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The Head of Utility Management and Mandate Progression will responsible for driving action across the organisation on the non-technical Climate action Mandate requirements. This will involve engaging with responsible parties, supporting and standardising new approaches, monitoring progress to compliance with Mandate and collating and reporting. These elements include but are not limited to:
- Paper use measurement and reduction
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Food waste measurement & contract oversight
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Drinking water availability and installation programme
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Elimination of single use items
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The Head of Utility Management and Mandate Progression will be responsible for progressing the Greener Travel requirements as set out in the Climate Action Mandate and relevant legislation. This includes mapping and managing the delivery of EV charging infrastructure across the organisation to achieve statutory compliance and increasing bicycle parking infrastructure across our estate, working with consultants and contractors, engaging with stakeholders, monitoring progress and completion and financial setup of EV recoup and software. The Mandate also requires public bodies to achieve the Smarter Travel Mark and we have run a preliminary pilot for this – rolling this out across the organisation will be form part of the current role.
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The Head of Utility Management and Mandate Progression will be responsible for leading and expanding the CAU communication programme, including presentations internally and externally, staff engagement campaigns, developing articles, engaging with stakeholders and our colleagues in our Learning and Development and our Communication Unit.
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The Head of Utility Management and Mandate Progression will be responsible for all elements of their budget including funding requests, invoicing and oversight while maintaining robust records; they will manage the resourcing of their section to achieve the stated goals. They will be responsible for ensuring compliance with public procurement for all the activities of their team. They engage with our Finance Unit on reporting, contract monitoring and procurement.
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This role involves a significant level of reporting and presentation - to the Senior Management Team, the Board, Building Committee, internal groups, Department of Justice, SEAI, broader sectoral groups and others. The Head of Utility Management and Mandate Progression will be responsible for all internal and external communication relating to their area of responsibility, including developing the required content for all reports, presentations, quarterly and annual reports, KPIs, FOIs, PQs. strategic inputs, articles, campaigns etc. They will also be have a coordinating function for CAU KPIs, FOIs, PQs and internal audit responses. They will be responsible for engaging with the SEAI, the OPW and other relevant bodies on behalf of the Courts Service and availing of relevant support schemes. As such, a key requirement of the role is excellent written and verbal communication skills.
Note, the above is intended as a guide and is neither definitive nor restrictive and will change in line with operational need.
Essential Requirements:
Applicants should have at least 5 years' relevant and recent experience for this role. This experience should include:
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Minimum 10 years professional experience, with at least 6 in the field of climate action, environmental sustainability or facilities management.
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Experience managing a team and leadership training.
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Training in Project Management and evidence of at least 3 years of responsible experience in project or programme management.
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Training in staff engagement and communication and evidence of at least 3 years of responsible and relevant experience.
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Experience in procurement and reporting responsibility for significant budgets.
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Experience in management of utility contracts or relevant similar contracts.
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Experience in project delivery within a wide range of buildings.
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Excellent communication, interpersonal, influencing, organisational and project management skills.
Desirable Experience:
The following skills and experience are desirable:
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Formal training in Sustainability, Climate Action or Energy Management.
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Experience in Public Sector climate action, Monitoring and Reporting, Climate Action Roadmaps production would be considered a significant advantage.
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Experience of delivering projects in estates that comprise a significant number of listed buildings/protected structures.
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Experience of managing significant change in organisations of similar size, specifically budget transfer.
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Experience in or in-depth knowledge of public procurement protocols and procedures.
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Experience in managing a broad range of stakeholders.
Application Process:
Application should be made by logging into the advertisement link.
The closing date is 12 noon 1st July 2026. Applications received after the closing date and time will not be accepted.
Interviews will take place in person in Dublin city centre.
