Officer, Product Development (Visitor Attractions)

Officer, Product Development (Visitor Attractions)

LEVEL 4

Fixed-Term, full-time (end date February 2027)

Closing Date: Tuesday 5th August 2025 at 3:00pm

Salary: €56,807 - €81,236 Per annum *

• This role will be filled in line with Public Pay Policy at Point 1 of the relevant Salary Scale unless the successful candidate is appointed from an existing public sector role

Blended work model with office locations of:

• Áras Fáilte, 88-95 Amiens Street, Dublin 1, D01 WR86

• 3rd & 4th Floor Crescent House, Hartstonge Street, Limerick, V94 K35Y

• Unit 5, Calbro Court, Tuam Road, Galway, H91 YKH4

• Mullingar

There will be a requirement for regular travel to Dublin as part of this role.

Fáilte Ireland invites applications for the role of Officer, Product Development (Visitor Attractions). Initially this role will focus on the implementation of a Regenerative Tourism strategy for parts of Ireland’s Hidden Heartlands and Ireland’s Ancient East that is being funded under the EU Just Transition Fund 2021-2027.

The purpose of the EU Just Transition Fund (EUJTF) is to assist the most affected territories in Europe in transitioning to a climate neutral economy. It supports European regions most affected by the transition to climate neutrality. In Ireland this focuses on the wider Midlands region, where there have been direct impacts from the move away from peat production and electricity generation from peat.

Fáilte Ireland have been awarded €68m under EUJTF to implement a Regenerative Tourism Strategy in this region between 2023 – 2027. Tourism in the Midlands is less developed and through the implementation of this plan Fáilte Ireland will be seeking to demonstrate the types of regenerative tourism developments that are required to underpin and grow tourism in the region.

This key role in the Just Transition Project Team is to support the industry and stakeholders to improve existing and create new visitor experiences that meet and exceed visitors’ expectations, resulting in increased visitor revenue and local jobs, while protecting the unique environment of the region, in an area that does not have high level of awareness among visitors and does not have a strong tourism sector.

There will be a blended work model, which includes remote working and flexible working arrangements, with the office location based in either Fáilte Ireland, Dublin 1, Mullingar, Limerick or Galway. There will be a requirement for regular travel to Dublin as part of this role.

This is a fantastic opportunity to join Failte Ireland and work on an exciting project that will be key to the development of tourism in Ireland. This role will report into the Manager, Product Development (Visitor Attractions).

Job Purpose

The post holder will work with and shape the selection and development of the projects that are successfully awarded funding as part of the delivery of the Just Transition Fund. These projects may be cultural and built heritage experiences or other tourism experiences. A key element will be to work with applicants to ensure that projects are delivered within the timeframe set out within the EUJTF.

Job Description

Primary Objectives/Key Responsibilities

Product Development

• Support the development and delivery of a programme of Failte Ireland funded capital projects under Just Transition

• Actively work with investment grant-aided projects to shape and mould the project into a better tourism visitor experience that is ‘best in class’

• Work with the investment grant-aided applicants to ensure that the projects are being delivered within the timeframe set out within the respective schemes and that the applicant is adhering to the terms and conditions. Escalate issues and risks that may impact on agreed deliverables.

• Engage in multiple applicants/projects simultaneously. Ensure that all the correct project documentation is in place and kept up-to-date.

• Be part of the evaluation team and review and make recommendation on the awarding of applications.

• Manage responses to information requests and queries from applicants, as well as representative bodies, government departments and other stakeholders.

• Work with matrix colleagues across the organisation to ensure the Product Development agenda is innovative, creative and well socialised, and ensure that cross-divisional work remains aligned with Fáilte Ireland’s strategy

Stakeholder and Relationship Management

Foster and maintain excellent stakeholder relationships to achieve organisation and programme objectives. Specifically:

• 
  Maintain relationships with key national stakeholders including our Strategic Partners, such as the Office of Public Works (OPW) and Local Authorities, to deliver a range of culture and built heritage tourism projects.

• Provide support and guidance to the Ireland’s Ancient East & Ireland’s Hidden Heartlands in relation to the product development projects under Just Transition. And other key internal and external stakeholders where relevant e.g. Finance, Procurement, Legal Services, Industry Digitalisation.

• Develop and maintain relationships with third party providers and provide regular feedback and review of performance

• Provide regular feedback from stakeholders to the organisation

• Communicate the Fáilte Ireland strategy to key stakeholders

• Work collaboratively across the project teams to deliver agreed projects and KPIs

• Collaborate with peers to optimise the use of project resources in terms of the skills and capacity of the whole team.

• Deliver on your KPI’s as agreed with your manager

Governance Reporting and Budget Management:

Comply with all aspects of organisation policy and programme management. Promote good governance amongst direct reports and divisional colleagues.

Specifically:

• Contribute to reports and other inputs as required.

• Ensure that project metrics and updates are available in an agreed format for the Executive and Leadership management teams

• Track and work with applicants on budget management of individual projects and the successful forecasting of expenditure

• Ensure all activities are delivered on time and on budget

• Budget management & adherence to procurement and financial policies

• Ensure adherence with GDPR and Fáilte Ireland’s processes to adhere to policies

• Ensure that any procurement of work from a third party is implemented in line with Fáilte Ireland procurement policy

Carry out all other duties as required and participate as a full member of the Just Transition team by supporting different work projects, as required, from time to time.

Person Specification

Essential Criteria

We are seeking an individual that can think clearly, strategically and analytically. This role is part of an internal Just Transition Project team and strong relationships between team members is critical, along with the ability to be flexible and responsive to a dynamic working environment. Working within a matrix team towards tight deadlines is a requirement for this role.

The successful candidate will have a minimum of 3 years’ experience and a proven track record in product development of capital projects. They must have knowledge of the tourism industry and an understanding of the range of key stakeholders. We are looking for an individual that has strong interpersonal skills and has an ability to build strong internal and external relationships and networks. They must be able to demonstrate project management experience and good commercial acumen.

In order to be eligible to apply for this role you must have / demonstrate in your application form the following

• Minimum three years’ experience within a relevant role as per the key responsibilities in the Job Description

• Demonstrate experience in playing a key role in the design and delivery of impactful capital projects

• Demonstrate experience in working with key stakeholders both internally and externally

Qualifications/Mandatory Training

• A professional qualification (minimum Level 6 under the QQI Framework) in a related discipline is essential

Desirable Criteria

• Experience in the culture/ heritage, or tourism sector.

• Valid full driving licence/access to own means of transport.

Key Competencies

• Decision Making

• Managing Relationships

• Project Management

• Communicating Effectively

Selection Process

Shortlisting will be based on applications and the selection process may involve two competency based interviews. A panel of successful candidates may be formed following the selection process.

Fáilte Ireland is an equal opportunities employer and is committed to fostering an inclusive workplace which values and benefits from the diversity of the workforce. We encourage you to reach out to us directly at [email protected] should you require assistance or reasonable accommodation during the recruitment process.