Director of Grid Connections

As Transmission System Operator, EirGrid is at the heart of Ireland’s electricity system, ensuring that power flows safely, securely, and reliably from where it is generated to where it is needed. We manage the real-time operation of the power system and oversee the wholesale electricity market, balancing supply and demand every second of every day. We strengthen system resilience through the development and operation of interconnectors, and we plan and develop the transmission network, investing in the upgrades and expansion required to meet Ireland’s growing demand and support the transition to a low-carbon future. Our role is also expanding significantly to include operating, developing, and owning Ireland’s offshore transmission grid, a critical step in unlocking the potential of offshore wind energy.

The Opportunity

We are now seeking a Director of Grid Connections to join the Infrastructure Chief Office.

The successful candidate will report directly to the Chief Infrastructure Officer and will play a pivotal role in leading and optimising grid connection application processing, connection agreements and the connection of customers to the transmission system, including generation, demand and interconnection.

The role holder will lead three regional Connections Projects functions and the Connections & Contracts function at a time of unprecedented growth in customers seeking connection to the transmission system. Success in the role will be determined by the ability to bring structure, discipline, visibility and momentum to the delivery of customer connections at pace and scale.

The Team

The Infrastructure Chief Office is responsible for developing and upgrading the electricity grid and delivering grid infrastructure at pace and scale. The team works closely with communities, balances national need with local impact and partners with ESB Networks to deliver the infrastructure needed for Ireland’s low carbon future.

The Grid Connections function is central to enabling the pipeline of customer connection projects required to deliver EirGrid’s strategy. The function provides leadership across connection projects, connection agreements, stakeholder engagement, governance and delivery capability.

Key Responsibilities

Provide strategic leadership across three regional Connection Project functions and the Connections & Contracts function, ensuring each function is high performing, well governed and aligned to EirGrid Group’s delivery priorities.

Lead the development of an operating model that enables greater consistency, efficiency, control and delivery of customer connection projects.

Oversee the transformation of the customer connections portfolio, ensuring delivery is prioritised effectively, governed robustly and delivered with discipline against clear milestones, programmes, risks and dependencies.

Lead the Connections & Contracts function to drive the timely processing of grid connection applications and delivery of customer connection agreements.

Provide thought leadership and policy support in relation to connection policy and the needs of the future energy system.

Create the conditions for close and effective working between internal cross-functional teams and ESB Networks to maximise customer connections.

Develop strategic business plans, functional strategies, budgets, governance frameworks and performance measures across the areas within remit.

Lead high-performing teams, fostering accountability, collaboration and innovation while developing future leadership talent and succession plans.

Support executive and board-level decision-making through clear advice, evidence-based recommendations and strong judgement on customer connection delivery risks.

About you

Successful candidates will have:

Significant senior leadership experience, ideally gained in a complex, regulated or infrastructure-intensive environment.

Experience leading infrastructure delivery functions and delivering complex projects and programmes at scale.

Demonstrated experience building governance, performance and delivery disciplines across complex programmes and portfolios.

Proven ability to build trusted relationships and influence senior stakeholders, including connecting customers, ESB Networks, Government, the Regulator, industry, strategic partners and colleagues.

Excellent strategic thinking, leadership, communication and decision-making skills, with the ability to align delivery obligations with business strategy and priorities.

Strong people leadership capability, including experience leading through senior managers, developing talent and creating high-performing, collaborative teams.

A strong understanding of governance, compliance, controls and risk management, with judgement to balance operational efficiency with quality delivery.

Closing date for applications

Closing date is 14th July 2026

We value potential as much as experience. If you believe you can succeed in this role, we encourage you to apply, even if you don’t meet every requirement.

We're dedicated to diversity and inclusion at EirGrid. We recognise the strength that comes from having a diverse workforce and the importance of a supportive culture for all our people to achieve their potential. Our diversity and inclusion networks have been designed to create an inclusive culture that enables our people to feel a sense of belonging at work.

As an equal opportunities’ employer, we welcome applications from people of all backgrounds. Reasonable accommodations are offered at every stage of our recruitment process.