Transformation and Development Manager

Unijobs overview:

Unijobs was established in 2013 and operates nationally, with offices in Limerick, Galway, Dublin and Portlaoise. Unijobs DAC is a not-for-profit organisation operating on a cost-recovery basis.

Unijobs works in partnership with public service bodies to support their staffing requirements. We provide recruitment and workforce support services across government, healthcare, education and the wider public sector.

Our team comprises 38 Unijobs staff, supporting over 3000 employees nationwide.

Role Overview:

Unijobs is seeking an experienced and strategic leader to drive its transformation to a full public sector shared services provider. Reporting to the Chief Operating Officer, the Transformation and Development Manager will lead the design and implementation of a centralised staffing and workforce management solution for public sector entities across Ireland. Your role will focus on engagement with Government Departments and the Higher Education Authority to explore Unijobs becoming part of a recognised national Shared Service entity.

The successful candidate will bring strong leadership, workforce solutions expertise, and a deep understanding of the public sector . This role requires someone who can balance strategic thinking with operational execution, and an ability to engage at the most senior levels across the public sector ensuring Unijobs delivers on its strategic objectives of becoming a fully established national shared service provider for scalable staffing solutions aligned with public sector priorities.

Key Responsibilities:Strategic Leadership & Transformation

• Develop and execute a strategic roadmap to transition Unijobs into a fully operational shared services model for the Irish public sector.
• Identify opportunities to expand Unijobs' reach, ensuring it becomes the primary staffing partner for government agencies, healthcare, education, and wider public services.
• Work closely with public sector HR and procurement teams to align Unijobs' services with national staffing needs.
• Represent Unijobs at sectoral working groups, committees, and strategic forums.
• Assess technology and workforce analytics solutions to enhance Unijobs' service offering.

Public Sector Engagement & Business Development

• Establish and maintain relationships with key stakeholders in government agencies, public sector entities, educational institutions and regulatory agencies to identify and address shared service needs while ensuring alignment with national workforce policies.
• Secure service-level agreements with public bodies.
• Work closely with legal and compliance teams to ensure all workforce solutions align with Irish public sector employment regulations.

Operational Excellence & Workforce Management

• Work with key department leads to ensure the integration and standardisation of workforce planning, recruitment, compliance, and payroll functions within Unijobs to create a streamlined public sector staffing service.
• Liaise with public bodies to ensure the seamless integration of technology to deliver best in class workforce solutions, ensuring scalability and responsiveness to government needs.
• Drive continuous improvement initiatives, ensuring operational efficiencies, cost savings, and enhanced service delivery.

Financial & Performance Management

• Manage budgets and financial planning for the shared service division, ensuring cost-effective operations.
• Develop KPIs to measure and improve service performance, candidate experience, and stakeholder satisfaction.
• Ensure sustainability and long-term viability of the shared service through financial and operational efficiency.

Qualifications & Experience:Required Qualification:

Bachelor's or Master's degree in Business, Public Administration, Human Resources, or a related field.

Required Experience:

• 10+ years in workforce solutions, recruitment, or public sector staffing, with a strong track record of strategic leadership
• Proven track record of working with and influencing senior public sector stakeholders, including government agencies or regulatory bodies.
• Extensive experience in designing, implementing, and scaling temporary workforce solutions for public sector organisations to deliver value-driven results.
• Deep understanding of workforce planning, deployment, and utilisation metrics, with a focus on optimising resource allocation, improving efficiency, and ensuring cost-effectiveness in large-scale recruitment operations.
• Experience in the implementation and roll-out of workforce management technologies to enhance recruitment efficiency, automate processes, and improve candidate experience.
• Demonstrated ability to lead cross-functional teams, including recruitment, compliance, operations, and technology, in high-growth, fast-paced environments.
• Expertise in budget management, commercial strategy, and cost control to ensure the long-term sustainability of public sector workforce solutions.