Division Overview:
The CCPC has two in-house legal divisions: the Competition Legal Division; and the Consumer Corporate Legal Division. This competition is for a role in the Competition Legal Division (CLD).
The Competition Legal Division is a team of lawyers who support the CCPC in delivering on all aspects of its competition law functions. The focus of the Division is on advising the Commission and case teams on mergers, competition and enforcement. On mergers, this includes advising on all aspects of the CCPC’s merger review function under the Competition Act 2002, as amended. On competition enforcement, this includes advising on criminal enforcement and the CCPC’s novel administrative enforcement regime introduced by the Competition (Amendment) Act 2022. The Division also has a very busy litigation function and is responsible for managing legal proceedings and legal risk on behalf of the CCPC. The Division also advises the Commission on legislation and policy relating to competition law and enforcement, for example, the Digital Markets Act, and on other aspects related to the CCPC’s expanding remit.
CLD is led by the Director of Legal (Competition). The team consists of two Deputy Directors, one focused on mergers and one focused on competition enforcement, and a current team of eight lawyers supplemented by external consultants where required. Where appropriate, the CCPC also engages external barristers and solicitors to advise on a variety of legal matters. The team works closely with case teams on mergers/investigation files and also has a key role advising the Commission on matters of strategic importance.
Given the CCPC’s evolving remit and ambitious enforcement objectives this is a rare opportunity to join a division at the forefront of advising on novel, complex and exciting legal issues in Ireland.
The Role:
The CCPC is seeking to recruit a Deputy Director of Legal Services to lead the delivery of legal services in relation to the CCPC’s merger review function. The CCPC’s merger review function plays a key role in the CCPC’s remit to safeguard competitive markets and protect consumer interests by ensuring the rigorous assessment of mergers across all sectors of the Irish economy. In recent years, the CCPC has handled a significant number of complex, high-profile merger cases, always seeking to ensure effective outcomes through the application of remedies where appropriate, maintaining market integrity and promoting fair competition.
This is an opportunity for an experienced lawyer, with excellent strategic leadership skills, to take on a senior management role supporting the Director in overseeing the delivery of legal services in a dynamic and fast-paced public sector organisation.
The Deputy Director of Legal (Mergers) will be primarily responsible for leading a team of specialist lawyers in providing high-quality, solution-focused legal advice and support on all aspects of the CCPC’s merger review function.
Reporting to the Director of Legal (Competition), the successful applicant will work closely with the wider Senior Management team in the CCPC and directly with case teams in the CCPC’s Competition Enforcement and Mergers Division on merger cases. The successful applicant will contribute to the development of the organisation through initiating, and constructive engagement in, cross-Divisional and organisation-wide projects. The primary responsibility of the role is in relation to mergers however, depending on demand, the successful applicant may be required to assist on competition enforcement matters and so experience in this area is welcome.
The Successful Candidate:
The successful applicant will have a critical leadership role in a challenging regulatory and enforcement environment. The post holder will be self-driven and results-oriented with experience of providing strategic advice on complex legal matters and the ability to motivate a team to meet ambitious targets and strict statutory deadlines. A key requirement for the position is the ability to anticipate and identify legal issues of wider strategic importance and put in place plans to proactively deal with them.
Key Responsibilities:
• Assisting the Director in the strategic management, leadership and administration of the Division.
• Providing proactive, solution-focused and timely legal advice on all aspects of the CCPC’s merger review function. This includes acting as lead legal advisor on Phase 2 mergers, advising on the use of the CCPC’s call[1]in power and acting as the key point of contact for all mergers case teams on legal issues arising.
• Ensuring the demand for legal advice on mergers is met through effective delegation and supervision of the provision of legal advice by the team and creative use of resources and efficiencies.
• Lead and manage the expanding team to ensure its operational effectiveness, setting high standards and implementing strategies to drive team performance.
• Develop capability and capacity across the team through effective delegation, coaching and mentoring.
• Overseeing the procurement of external legal services and ensuring the effective management and oversight of external legal services providers.
• Providing any other legal services as required including the management of legal proceedings and legal risk
• Establishing and maintaining networks of relationships with CCPC staff and external stakeholders, including
external legal counsel, government officials, other competition enforcement agencies and the European Commission.
• Representing the CCPC at both national and international meetings and conferences when required.
• Proactively identify areas of legislative reform to assist in the performance of the CCPC’s competition functions and oversee the drafting of proposals or recommendations to Government Departments in relation to same.
• Promoting the Vision, Mission and Values of the CCPC.
Essential:
• Candidates must have been called to the Bar in the State and entered on the Roll of Practising Barristers maintained by the LSRA or have been admitted and be currently enrolled as a solicitor in the State, or hold a professional qualification in law which would be acceptable to the CCPC as being equivalent to the above.
• At least 4 years’ relevant post-qualification work experience.
• Direct experience of leading and managing people/teams.
• Professional knowledge / experience in advising on Irish and/or EU mergers control or equivalent regulation.
• Strong written and verbal communication skills including the ability to provide clear, focused, and practical legal advice.
• Highly developed organisational and administrative skills.
• Oral and written fluency in the English language.
Desirable:
• Relevant qualifications and/or experience in law above the essential requirements.
• Experience in dispute resolution, litigation, or regulatory investigations.
• Experience of successfully working with multiple-disciplinary teams
Application Process:
To apply for this role using the link on the CCPC careers page, please submit an up-to-date CV. Applicants should note that canvassing will result in your exclusion from the process.