Skillnet Network Manager

This is an exciting role in professional education, suited to an enthusiastic candidate who can work on their own initiative and manage projects effectively. The role sits within a Professional Training team that offers CPD training to qualified professionals.

The successful candidate will have an interest in education and a proven track record in project management, compliance, and working with grants.

The Skillnet Network Manager will work with the Skillnet team and share responsibility for the strategic, financial, operational, governance, and administrative functions of the Skillnet Network. This will help the Network achieve its agreed objectives, KPIs, and financial targets, and deliver high-quality, industry-led skills development programmes.

The role combines strategic network development, stakeholder engagement, programme and project management, financial management and administration, procurement, governance, compliance, audit, reporting, and training delivery.

The successful candidate will manage courses and training events, some of which take place in regional locations. The candidate must therefore be flexible and available to work occasional evenings and Saturdays during course time, and willing to travel within Ireland.

This is an 8-month contract position, reporting to the Acting Head of Professional Training and Skillnet.

Main Duties & Key Responsibilities

The successful candidate will:

• Assist in the strategic and operational development of the Skillnet Network in line with its strategic plan and agreed objectives.
• Share responsibility for effective financial management within the approved budget and funding framework, including preparing annual budgets and forecasts, monitoring income, expenditure, cash flow, match funding, and programme costs, and supporting audits.
• Provide high-quality governance reporting (financial, operational, KPI, and programme) and secretariat support to the Steering Committee, organising, minuting, and reporting at a minimum of four meetings per year.
• Manage procurement and contract activity for training providers, consultants, venues, eLearning, and other goods and services, in line with funding body and organisational procurement requirements.
• Ensure full compliance with funding agreements, operating guidelines, procurement requirements, branding requirements, and other applicable policies and procedures.
• Share responsibility for achieving the Network's agreed annual KPIs and targets.
• Use stakeholder engagement, research, market intelligence, participation data, and evaluation findings to help identify programme priorities.
• Manage and administer the end-to-end delivery of Skillnet training programmes and events.
• Implement plans to promote Skillnet programmes, activities, and brand.
• Act as the principal operational contact with the funding body.
• Manage, support, and develop Network staff and/or administrative resources as appropriate.

Knowledge & Skills

The following experience is highly desirable:

• Experience in the legal, professional services, financial services, education, training, or skills development sectors.
• Experience working with government-funded or grant-funded programmes.
• Previous experience in a membership organisation, professional body, or Skillnet network.
• A legal background would be an advantage.
• Knowledge of developing funding applications or business cases.
• Familiarity with digital learning and learning management systems.
• Demonstrable experience managing budgets and financial performance.
• Knowledge of the Irish legal sector.
• Enjoys working on own initiative.
• Methodical, flexible, and capable of multitasking.
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills.
• Flexible approach to work, including occasional evenings, weekends, and travel within Ireland (with overnight stays where required).
• Good IT skills, able to handle data input and produce reports.
• Ability to work to tight deadlines.
• Hybrid working - 3 days in office

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