Who We Are
The Commission for Regulation of Utilities (CRU) is Ireland's independent energy and water regulator. CRU employees play an important part in delivering safe and secure supplies of energy and water, protecting and empowering customers and the deployment of renewable and low-carbon solutions across Ireland. Since 1999, CRU has played a vital role in Irish society, impacting homes and businesses nationwide by ensuring safe, secure and sustainable energy and water supplies for all customers.
Description
We are currently seeking a Director for the Energy Safety Division with significant experience, nationally or internationally, in the energy or the utility industry, in a relevant regulatory or other public body.
The Position
Title: Director of Energy Safety
Location: The Exchange, Belgard Square North, Tallaght, Dublin 24
Starting Salary: €171,518 (Salary scale: €171,518 - €196,205). The successful candidate will start on the first point of the salary scale.
Location: The Exchange, Belgard Square North, Tallaght, Dublin 24
Working Hours: 37.5 hours per week
Hybrid working: Up to 3 days per week remote working available
Closing Date: 12 October 2026, 12:00 noon
Tenure: Appointment will be on a permanent basis, subject to successful passing of the probationary period.
About the Commission for Regulation of Utilities (CRU)
The Commission for Regulation of Utilities (CRU) is Ireland's independent energy and water regulator. The work of the CRU impacts every Irish home and business, ensuring safe, secure and sustainable energy and water supplies for the benefit of all customers.
Our Values are at the core of everything that we do.
- Integrity: Trust is vital, so we act with integrity at all times and take balanced, evidence-based decisions that are fair and consistent.
- Professionalism: We are professional in everything we do. We work as a team and always strive to develop our expertise. We are pragmatic and open to alternative processes.
- Openness: We are committed to co-operation. We clearly explain who we are and what we do. Our processes are open, thorough and consider views from all stakeholders. We explain our decisions in clear language.
- Accountability: We are accountable for our decisions and for the way we spend our resources. We are independent and open to scrutiny
Do our values speak to you?
Find out more about the CRU at: https://www.cru.ie/
The CRU’s Energy Safety Role
The CRU has a key role in protecting public safety and the prevention of major accidents in Ireland’s energy sector. This includes the safety regulation of:
- Gas (networks, supply, storage, use and liquefied petroleum gas distribution); and
- Petroleum (upstream (onshore and offshore) exploration and production of hydrocarbons).
- Gas installers and electrical contractors.
Our public safety remit also includes promoting customer awareness of safety as well as ensuring electrical contractors and gas installers operate to relevant national standards to protect life and property.
Our safety role is evolving to address developments such as the introduction of traditional, lower-carbon fuels into new sectors (e.g. biomethane injection into the natural gas network, compressed natural gas in transport). In addition, the CRU will have a new safety regulatory role over Private Wires as set out by the Government in the recently published Private Wires Bill 2025 - General Scheme.
The CRU is also being assigned other functions to regulate security of supply, notably as a competent authority in respect of the Network and Information Systems (NIS2) Directive and similar roles, in utility sectors, the implementation of which may form part of this role.
Director, Energy Safety Division
Reporting to the Commission, the Director is a member of the CRU’s Senior Leadership Team. This critical senior leadership role underpins the delivery of core statutory functions, contributing to CRU decisions and operation and governance of the organisation.
The Director leads the Division in the formulation, implementation and operation of energy safety policy and other relevant functions that fall within the remit of the CRU. This includes providing leadership and direction to the CRU’s Energy Safety Division, engaging with key stakeholders nationally and internationally and ensuring the delivery of the CRU’s vision that energy is supplied safely.
The Director will be expected to keep up to date with developments in the energy industry that may impact CRU’s energy safety remit and to ensure that CRU’s approach to energy safety regulation is in line with best international practice. While this opportunity relates initially to Energy Safety, it is expected that the successful candidate would have the abilities and competencies to function effectively as a Director in any other of the CRU's Divisions.
The Director will be responsible for:
- shaping and delivering the CRU’s strategic priorities as they relate to the Division and broader organisation, statutory objectives and wider EU regulatory frameworks;
- providing leadership, direction and mentoring to a multi-disciplinary technical and non-technical team of management, technical inspectors and analysts in the Division;
- managing and delegating appropriate responsibilities to Heads of Functions, Managers and Inspectors in the Division;
- supporting and advising the Commission on all aspects of energy safety-related functions and policy, its wider regulatory remit and emerging regulatory frameworks, as required;
- protecting the public interest through the Gas Safety Framework and the Petroleum Safety Framework, including assessing safety cases, issuing Safety Permits (as applicable) and implementing compliance assurance activities such as audits and inspections;
- overseeing the activities of the electrical and gas safety supervisory bodies, prosecuting unregistered gas installers and electrical contractors and implementing the decision to extend the Registered Gas Installer regulatory scheme to include non-domestic gas works;
- increasing public awareness of safety issues regarding electrical and gas issues through public awareness campaigns highlighting these issues, in collaboration with other stakeholders;
- reviewing and implementing new functions assigned to the Division;
- taking responsibility and accountability for actions and decisions assigned to them as Director in accordance with the CRU’s Corporate Governance Framework and assignments under the Delegation of Authority Framework;
- inputting to, reviewing and approving annual work plans, budgets, risk registers, workforce plans for the Division;
- driving cross-functional collaboration across the CRU;
- Supporting the Commission and representing the CRU at senior-level engagements (CEO, key Government Officials, other national competent authorities’ (NCAs) leadership, etc.);
- Leading engagement and effective collaboration with relevant industry groups and national and international agencies and bodies in related fields;
- Carrying out such other functions as may be required from time to time to support the Commission and fulfil the business objectives of the CRU.
Note: The CRU has commenced an Organisational Transformation Programme, which may result in changes to the current organisational structure and will involve the development of a new target operating model. The mandate of Divisions may undergo changes as part of the Programme. The Director will have an important role to play in implementing and driving this change across the CRU and within their Division.
While successful candidates will initially be posted to specific roles within the current organisational structure, all roles and responsibilities within CRU may be subject to change arising from the ongoing Organisational Transformation Programme.
Qualifications and Experience
Essential Criteria
- A minimum of an NFQ Level 8 degree in a relevant discipline;
- Significant (minimum 9 years) experience, nationally or internationally, in the energy or the utility industry or in a relevant regulatory or other public body;
- Significant senior leadership experience (minimum 5 years) in energy, utility or other regulated sectors, leading teams, managing and developing people in challenging and dynamic working environments;
- Policy/strategy development and operational experience relevant to the CRU.
Desirable Requirements
- A postgraduate degree in a relevant discipline;
- Experience in leading and managing technical and non-technical teams, including consultant and sub-contractor management;
- Policy/strategy development and operational experience relevant to the safety remit of the CRU;
- Deep (or ability to quickly develop) knowledge of energy safety, including major accident hazards.
- Experience in leading and motivating in a rapidly expanding organisation to deliver on a wide range of strategic goals and objectives, coupled with the drive and ability to contribute to the CRU’s strategic vision and mission;
- Demonstrate knowledge and appreciation of the statutory, governance and policy framework within which the CRU operates.
For more information on Core Competencies, please see the Informtaion Booklet attached.
The Package
Salary
*Starting salary of €171,518
Salary scale: €171,518 - €196,205
*Candidates should note that entry will be at the minimum point of the scale.
- The rate of remuneration may be adjusted in line with the Government pay policy.
- Candidates should note that different pay and conditions may apply if, immediately prior to appointment, the appointee is a serving civil or public servant.
- Salary increments will be awarded annually, subject to satisfactory performance.
Benefits
- Attractive Pension Scheme.
- Opportunity to work remotely up to 3 days per week, in addition to up to 6 weeks fully remote.
- Access to the cycle-to-work scheme.
- Opportunity for further education
- 30 days of annual leave
- 11 bank holidays/ public holidays.
- Flexible working arrangements.
- Tax saver Bus / Luas scheme available to assist with travel costs to and from work.
- Access to CRU’s Employee Assistance Programme.
The CRU will provide you with ongoing support and training, and there will be ample opportunity for professional development, allowing you to maximise your potential and progress your career.
Application Process
The CRU have engaged Cpl Ireland as a data processor to assist the CRU with this recruitment competition.
Cpl Ireland will collect application information and assess suitability on behalf of the CRU.
Information collected by Cpl Ireland will be kept for 12 months after the conclusion of the competition.
Should you have any queries surrounding the application process, please contact [email protected].
Application Procedure
To apply for this full-time opportunity, candidates must submit an application form for this opportunity before the closing date for applications – (12 October 2026, 12:00 noon - applications to be received not later than 12 noon)
- Applications must apply via the application form below and attach a) to d) listed below.
- A comprehensive CV clearly showing your relevant achievements and experience in your career to date. Please see the CV Guidance Note in Appendix I.
- The “Key Achievements Form‟, see Appendix II.
- An Organisation chart indicating your current position within the Senior Management team (or if not currently employed, in your most recent employment), see Appendix III.
- A short (i.e. no more than 2 pages) cover letter/personal statement outlining why you wish to be considered for the post and where you believe your skills and experience meet the requirements of the position as Director of Energy Safety.
Please note that documents a)–d) listed above should be submitted as one attachment.
- The application form can be found here - Career Opportunities | The Commission for Regulation of Utilities (CRU) (cpl.com)
- Candidates must be eligible to work full-time in Ireland at the time of application.
- The CRU does not reimburse any expenses incurred by candidates during the interview process.
- Any candidate requiring any appropriate accommodation for the interview or other elements of the selection process should notify us at [email protected] so that appropriate arrangements can be made.
Interview Process
- Shortlisted candidates will be invited to attend an interview.
- A two-stage interview process will apply in respect of this position.
- Candidates will be asked to make a short presentation on a brief that will be forwarded prior to the interview.
- The CRU intends to establish a panel on foot of this general recruitment competition to fill future posts that may arise at this level within the CRU for a period of 12 months from the date of the first appointment from the panel.
- Candidates may be contacted by CPL via email and/or telephone as part of the recruitment process. It is the responsibility of each candidate to monitor their emails/phones regularly and to ensure that they remain reachable for any communication related to their application.
- In addition, when a presentation is part of the interview process, it must be submitted by the deadline given, or the interview will not take place.
- Please note that for this role, candidates who are successful at the first-round interview will be required to complete a psychometric assessment as part of the selection process, typically in advance of the final interview. The assessments are designed to provide additional insight into a candidate’s working style and preferences, which can enhance the interview panel's understanding during the final stage of the selection process. These assessments are designed to be unbiased, with no right or wrong answers, and the insights gathered will help inform the interview questions, ensuring a more tailored and effective dialogue in the final round.
- The CRU assesses all applicants fairly based on the requirements for the role. Due to the high volume of applications that we receive for positions, we are unable to provide feedback to candidates who are not shortlisted for an interview. If you are shortlisted for an interview, and are subsequently unsuccessful, you can request verbal feedback.
Equality, Diversity and Inclusion
The CRU is an equal opportunities employer who are committed to supporting an inclusive and diverse workforce. We endeavour to create a culture where everyone has equal access to opportunities offered, and so reasonable accommodations will be provided, if required, during this process.
Please contact [email protected], in confidence, should you require any assistance.
Recruitment Privacy Notice
The CRU Recruitment Privacy Notice sets out how we protect the privacy rights of job applicants and can be found on the Careers page on the CRU Website, or alternatively, you can contact [email protected], who will arrange for this to be sent directly to you.
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